Crafting your signature spring wardrobe
Hello, Mr. Sun!
Fashionista Natalie Emmer
The past week’s tease into spring left me feeling absolutely tickled. I’m definitely one of those people whose entire mood can alter solely based on changes in the weather. Friday’s 40 degree heat wave put me in such a sun-happy disposition that I opted to take a lunch-break trek down Prospect Avenue, all the while delighting in the idea that springtime breezes and warmer temperatures are lurking just around the corner — and of course, the new fashion season blowing in with it.
So, there I went tromping along under the midday sun without a destination, daydreaming about digital pop prints, chambray and lace. You can imagine my enthusiasm when I unintentionally met the entryway to Urban Outfitters, where only a slight bicep effort stood in between my reverie and a very fashionable reality. I promised myself to take just a quick peek.
LENA HOSCHEK FW2010 Berlin 01/20/10, photo ©DAN AND CORINA LECCA courtesy Image.net
Walking into a store like UO (among many other of my top shops) is almost as overwhelming as the transition from one fashion season to the next. So many of the pieces appear so uniquely chic that it’s hard to take it all in at once. All of a sudden it’s like I’m under some sort of sartorial spell, transfixed by hemlines, voluminous silhouettes and ornate accents (oh my!). I especially love the inspirations behind the trends for Spring 2010. Last week, Emily brought you her fave picks for the season. For me, it’s all about sharp shoulders and military-inspired camouflage, khaki and olive hues to softer pastels and those lacy, underwear-as-outerwear lingerie numbers. I can’t stop obsessing over all those big, bold and beautiful mile-high wedges. This season’s shoe spread alone is enough to sate my style appetite for hours on end.
With such a vast array to choose from, one of the most daunting tasks is deciding what to choose, especially considering that my college-level income doesn’t leave much expendable wealth.
Cebeles Madrid Fashion Week, TCN designer.
It’s important to keep in mind that trends come and go — that’s why they’re called “trends.” If you don’t absolutely love what you’re buying or how you feel in it, chances are you’ll never wear it when it’s no longer all the rage (there’s a reason trend stores like Forever 21 have such uptight return policies). And, unless you have a disposable income, a one-time wear is definitely not worth the cost. My advice to you (and a reminder to myself) is to choose two or three of the spring themes that best fit your personality and invest in a few signature pieces that will last you through the season and well into the future. You’ll be thankful when you discover a wise spring purchase translates seamlessly into fall, stretching not only the value of your garment but your dollar as well.
