Pretty in pink (and prints and more)
Flower pins and necklaces, soft neutrals and bright colors offer women something fresh for their spring wardrobes
Published: February 05, 2010, 12:30 am
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Buy a new dress, necklace or cardigan this spring and you may hear the question, “Would you like flowers with that?”
Accessorizing almost anything you wear with an eye-catching flower pin is a trend for spring. And not an overly extravagant one; plenty are priced in the $10 to $30 range.
Flower pins are part of what Harper’s Bazaar describes as “a new focus on decadence,” which also calls for “ruffles, feathers and shine galore.”
On top of that, there are soft fabrics, romantic blouses, floral prints, piles of pearls and colors to please.
Feeling pretty yet? Sure, flower pins were popularized by Sarah Jessica Parker on “Sex and the City” about 10 years ago. But the pins – and other feminine details –are back and very much in bloom, with some resembling corsages.
“We’re showing a lot of flowers; they can be worn in your hair, on handbags, on jackets, or you can attach them to necklaces. Our rosette flower pins are a nice, universal accessory that can be worn on everything,” said Noelle Higgins, assistant manager of White House/Black Market in Orchard Park.
Lots of other retailers are selling them, too, with some flowers showing up in black, soft gray or light tan in addition to pinks and other pretty shades.
Flowers also are incorporated right into the design of some items –along the neckline of a dress, for example, or on a sash or shoe.
And where the flowers end, the ruffles begin. Yes, indeed, ruffles are still very much in.
Blouses continue to be a popular wardrobe addition and pair well with another trend of the season – vests. The vests often are tailored but can be less structured as well.
“You can wear a vest to work with a blouse and pants but then turn around and wear the vest and blouse with jeans to meet the girls for dinner,” said Liz Lennon, vice president of Danahy’s in Amherst.
First lady Michelle Obama-inspired belts – both skinny and wide – come in many different colors and are worn with jackets, cardigans and dresses.
It’s also very much a season for prints, and we’re not talking teeny-tiny here.
“There are lots of florals and retro prints. These are big prints, almost like retro upholstery fabrics in very bold colors,” said Lou Schreiber, owner of LU Modern Classics, at Ellicott Square in Buffalo with another store opening next week at 715 Elmwood Ave.
These bold prints find a home on tunics, knee-length dresses and maxis.
This is a look that was everywhere on the runways, and now women are seeing them in stores – in all price ranges. Some look like a variation of tie-dye or paisley. Others are quite painterly and abstract. Floral prints are mixed with other florals or with stripes and dots.
Look, too, for animal prints – in black and white or earthy combinations such as the sand dune and black zebra print in the Lauren collection from Ralph Lauren.
Color also is a welcome change come spring, and pink appears to be an early favorite.
“We’re showing a lot of pink. It’s our ‘pop’ color for spring. I think it is such an uplifting color for this time of year,” said Higgins, from White House/Black Market.
Pink also is one of the pop colors at Talbots, for cardigans layered over shells, shoes, totes and more.
Even a touch will do. Picture a skinny pink belt with rosette buckle worn over a black-and-white animal-print sheath dress.
And many women will be glad to hear this: “Navy is another hot color for spring,” said Tamara Olivieri from TYORI in East Amherst.
Other trends for spring
• Neutrals: If your eyes need a rest from all those prints, take a trip to the desert. Sand, bone, ivory, tan and similar hues are worn tone-on-tone, sometimes head-to-toe, or with a pop of color, such as pink or orange. These sandy hues look great with white, navy and black, too.
Laid-back, khaki-colored suits – including ones from the ADAM collection by Buffalo native Adam Lippes as well as at DKNY –promise to be a great look off the runway as well.
• Jumpsuit: The jumpsuit “is super on-trend,” Olivieri said.
“This ties into the maxi; we’re talking about the silhouette being very long. The maxi was big last year, and we’re still seeing it this year,” she said.
The jumpsuit may have an allover print or come in a solid color. Strapless, halter and one-shoulder styles are among the options.
“The great thing about a jumpsuit is that it gives you the illusion of height,” she said.
• Suits: It’s a good year for skirts and jackets, and shoulder pads and three-quarter-length sleeves are things to watch for this spring.
“There’s a little more texture with some embroidery going on or some layering, such as lace over a cotton fabric,” Schreiber said.
It’s all very “Mad Men”-inspired, he said.
•The boyfriend jacket: This popular look from fall isn’t going away but rather continuing in springtime fabrications and colors. Details include such things as turn-back cuffs in contrasting fabric.
The boyfriend jacket, which is a bit oversized and slouchy – but not too much – “looks great with a T-shirt, your favorite pair of jeans or a tapered ankle-length or cropped pant,” Olivieri said.
• Distressed jeans: The idea is to look as if you have worn your jeans forever, of course, and you simply cannot part with them, tears and all.
But what you can do is add something fun and feminine on top, if you are so inclined.
Crystals, metallic studs and other embellishments also give jeans an edge this spring.
“The big trend is a fabulous pair of denims with a cute top and a little jacket,” Higgins said.
smartin@buffnews.com
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