Spring / Summer 2017 ... Your Style, Your Way

It’s all about shades of blue, particularly indigo blue.

Lime, kiwi, and leafy greens, including the softer, cooler manzanita and sage greens.

Happy, optimistic yellow and energetic orange and corals.

Pink, both bright and pastel. In fact, pastels are always a choice in the Spring. Soft rose and light blue are noticeable.

Floral designs from vibrant and realistic, or bold abstracts and screen prints with an impressionist feel.

Stripes in all shapes and sizes. Choose your correct style. Colorful candy stripes add fun to your wardrobe if you’re in the Spring Harmony. Barcode stripes are edgy, but in black and white are for the Winter Harmony. Military stripes are seen on jacket fronts and cuffs (along with this style’s customary buttons and braiding). Space-dyed stripes offer a look of blended texture.

Plaids are on the larger scale this Spring. Gingham checks are small to medium in scale in bright and pastel colors.

Clashing prints. I mention these only to warn you to skip this misguided trend. There are no common colors to tie them together. Don’t be a fashion victim.

Lace-up details on pants, tops, jackets, and accessories.

Airy eyelet done up on shirts worn as jackets. Wearing these over all one solid color will show off the color through the eyelet.

Embroidered cottons. Embroidered beaded florals on gingham checks.

Scalloped edges on fabrics for necklines, sleeves and skirt hems.

Lace, chiffon, and other sheers.

Metallics for nighttime glamour in gold, bronze, and pewter.

Fashion is what someone else tells you to wear, but style is about what looks good on you. Ask Yourself: “How do I want to present myself for this occasion or what I am about to do?” Simply changing jewelry, shoes, or a jacket can dress up the outfit, or give it a more casual look. Color will determine the mood: Fun, Feminine, Elegant, Dramatic.

A good rule of thumb for proportion is: Wear long tops over short bottoms, or wear short tops over long bottoms.

Over all, it’s soft tops in bursts of color. Relaxed peasant tops. Neckline ties adjust the scoop neck. Some have an off-the-shoulder ruffle.

Romantic sleeves: flounced, belled, voluminous, frilled. Balance these with tailored pants
or skirts.

Shoulder baring tops, some elegantly draped over one shoulder.

Lace-up necklines. Cropped tops for the young.

Elongated tops, including lightweight vests.

Shirts that double as jackets. These are a 2 for 1 item. As a shirt, button them up and tie the front tails into a knot at the waist for a carefree style.

Tailored shirts with a peplum bottom give a neat fitted style to showcase your waist.

Polos, the preppy staple, are updated with a white collar, which is only for the Spring or Winter harmony. All one color for the Falls and Summers.

T-shirts in a variety of stripes, from narrow to wide, and mostly colorful. The best choice is a white stripe on a color background.

Retro graphic arts T-shirts are trendy and large in scale. You will be a walking advertisement for an idea or product, and it will be wearing you

Wide, elegant, draping pants. Choose from neutral beige, white, grey, black, or navy. (Crisp fabrics are not flattering for this style.)

Wide, cropped pants, such as gauchos, are comfortable and on trend.

The sailor pant with 4 decorative buttons on each side. Soft and drapey Tencel fabric makes
it modern.

The print pant expands your wardrobe when worn with different solid colored tops. Choose colors from the print.

Casual utilitarian pants sport cargo pockets, and look more tailored in crisp khaki.

Paper bag-waist pants. A fitted, tucked-in top looks best with them.

Lace-up or button details on the bottom of the outer leg side of pants.

Paper bag-waist skirts. Tuck in the top to show the waist.

Swishy pleated skirts. Try them with a fitted T-shirt.

Flouncy skirts worn with a simple top.

Midi-skirts, also called tea-length, are shorter than the ankle-grazing maxi-skirt, which is also an option.

Denim pencil skirts with a center or side slit for easy movement.

Skirts with cargo pockets on the front.

Short, stretch, and knit skirts for the younger set.

Pretty, simple, effortless dresses.

Maxi dresses. Fit and flare dresses define your shape, or can skim your shape.

The shift dress. Some have flounce sleeves. Some have tailored 3/4 length sleeves and lace-up Henley necklines.

Sleeveless sheaths with a detailed neckline, like scallops or a decorative trim. They don’t require a necklace. Earrings that mimic the neckline will enhance the dress.

Shirtdresses in easy jersey knits. Add your personal touch to this classic.

The casual and comfortable polo style knit dress. A gingham collar, button plackets, and turn back 3/4 sleeve cuffs add a touch of fun.

For evening or special occasions, a beautiful floral, all-over sheen, or a bit of lace will make it special.

You will notice short, medium, and 3/4 lengths in jackets.

The shorter buttonless Chanel-style jackets, and longline buttonless jackets or sleeveless vests. Wear them all open. The longer choice looks great with short skirts or ankle and cropped pants. If you're tall, you will be able to wear them with longer skinny pants.

Cardigan style twin-set jackets and matching tops.

The classic blazer in bright knits or classic gingham checks… so Spring Harmony.

Tailored, open-weave, or eyelet shirts are worn as jackets. The color of the garment worn under it will show through them.

The bomber jacket takes on color and prints made up in lightweight fabrics.

For transitional weather a windbreaker can be the answer. They come in fresh colors, or large graphic designs, with an athleisure feel.

Utility jackets with the usual handy pockets.

The new boyfriend cardigans have long sleeves, an easy shape, and some have the flattering shirttail hem.

Drape-front, light weight cardigans dress things up.

Shrugs, the short, no button style, are the perfect topper to layer over sleeveless dresses.

Fun, bright, and feminine are the themes.

Many floral designed pieces.

Chokers are still popular in metals or velvet.

Butterflies, sea life, and freeform abstract designs.

Multi-colored beaded designs. Bead and chain combinations.

Anklets or ankle bracelet, a 50’s, then the 90’s, trend, are making a comeback again.

“Stacking” rings. Several smaller ones with one larger ring mixed in is the look.

Decadent dangling earrings. No matching necklace needed.

The good news is: stylish and walkable are fashionable.

Mood lifting rainbow colored shoes. Floral heels.

Shoes with straps wrapped around and up the lower leg.

Sling-backs and open-toe shoes.

Braided leather shoes offer airy fresh air for your feet.

Natural cork shoes are very comfortable.

Flatforms for your athleisure wardrobe.

Sneakers in crisp stripes and prints. These are very Spring Harmony. White is the #1 solid color. Red is #2. Wear them with a T-shirt dress or denim skirt, as well as pants.

Plush velvet sandals with, or without, heels.

Saturated colors on structured bags. Floral and stripes on many styles.

Ring handles on bags. Mini plus maxi strap options. There’s a top strap with an additional longer strap.

Natural cork handbags, croc-embossed leather in colors.

Slouchy drawstring, over-sized bags.

Mini bags. These fun-size little purses are suddenly everywhere.