After all the rain, finally, beautiful spring weather arrives to tease you into believing summer is on the way. Hooray! As you scamper to find something bright to wear… it gets cold again. And it rains. And the wind blows. Suddenly your warm clothes look drab and tired. Are you having the “nothing to wear” blues? Don’t feel bad…you’re right on schedule! The transition from winter to spring is always the most challenging, and this year is no exception. But spring is officially here and the time has come to brighten things up. Here are some of the trends I’ve been working with:

• LACE is everywhere! Not just delicate trim, but BIG lace in vests, scarves and peek-a-boo tops. Not in the least granny-style, but fringed and funky. The scarf pictured above is a great way to add an interesting layer and keep the chill wind off your neck.
• The BOHEMIAN influence is still coming on strong. If you are feeling a “flower girl” vibe, a ruffled print dress with leggings is a great transitional look. A simple peasant blouse with a long flowing sleeve might be just the right touch. Long necklaces figure into this relaxed picture. If you prefer your clothes with more structure and less flow, pair a long necklace with a tunic. Skirts that sweep the floor are also part of the Boho look, and are a fun option for a casual summer look.
• The breakout COLOR for spring 2011 is CORAL. But which shade of coral will enhance your complexion? If you are fair skinned or have a cool undertone, look for a coral in the pink-guava family, and mix it with turquoise or white. Coral for warm skintones is touched with a hint of brown for a richer look. As the weather warms, this shade is especially pretty with sunny yellow. Brights are strong for spring and brilliant jewel tones worn together looks new. Just be sure the color doesn’t dominate to the point that you disappear. Soft nudes and skintones are always a luscious option, yum.
• The fashion world loves nautical STRIPES, but does your body? Stripes peeking out from beneath a jacket or sweater look fresh and springy. If the stripes seem to distract from your face, a well placed necklace will bring the eye back to your features. Try echoing red beads with your red lipstick. Stripes don’t need to be high contrast: A tone-on-tone stripe, like charcoal/ black or sage/ khaki, adds dimension.
• HIGH WAIST JEANS with wide legs are a figure flattering option. The right cut can balance both a large bust and wide hips. They are a welcome change for those of us tired of getting gouged mid-rise by waistlines that must be ultra tight in order to stay up. While the 70’s trend of a high waist worn with a tucked in shirt is best on those with a relatively slim midriff, the higher rise flatters women of all proportions. When styled correctly, this new look is especially accommodating for those with a bit of tummy. It is easy to wear with a long t-shirt and either a short jacket or long blazer – no muffin top to worry about! Most of the pants are slim fitting through the thigh and taper at the knee, so it is easy to create an elongated, flattering silhouette. Everyone who loves to try the newest fashion trends should not be discouraged from experimenting with this one. I’ve styled this look with pieces from The Gap and other local moderately priced stores with great success. Wide legs look best with a shoe that raises the hem off the ground. If heels are not your thing, try a platform with a flat foot bed for the necessary elevation. Skinnies still work, but I’m thrilled to finally see lots of new shapes and styles in casual pants.

All these trends are like a big, sumptuous buffet. Choose only what whets your appetite. The fun is mixing the elements together – delicate with tough, streamlined with a bit of frill, pattern mixing. Get out your rolling rack and hang a couple of colors together, mixing old and new. For inspiration, check out this TV appearance where I talk with about using a rolling rack for creative mixing and matching.