Spring Fashion: A to Z Part I

I’ve been working weeks on this post to bring to you an A to Z of Spring 2010 fashion and am super excited about it. I’ll be breaking it down 5 letters at a time…first round!

 

A

is for…

Ankle-wrap shoe

Fendi SS2010, style.com

Stripper is so in this season. The lucite platform modernizes the romantic wrap around sandal. Wear with dresses and skirts and keep the wrap low.

 

Americana

This season, there was a strong sense of hope, throwing back to the 50’s and early 60’s. This feeling is embodied by Frankie and Annette – All-American is having a banner year.

All-over print

Miu Miu Spring 2010, style.com

Bizzare, I know, but you have to remember that these things were styled together and aren’t necessarily meant to be worn together on the street. Miu Miu had bird prints, cat prints, naked lady prints…Givenchy and Balenciaga went with all-over optical prints.

Animal print

Animal print has long been making its way towards becoming a neutral, so celebs like Fergie and Ashlee Simpson have stepped it up and are dabbling in the colorways of cheetah, zebra, and snake.

 

B

is for…

Bows

Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2010, style.com

Large, Madonna-style 80’s bows popped up everywhere as this season’s bunny/mouse ears. Worn on the body instead of the head, in cool patterns and colors updates the frilly staple for the street gal of 2010.

 

Breton

Topshop, $36; Rebecca Taylor Spring 2010, style.com

This sea-man’s staple has hit the streets again for the upteenth time, but this time it’s fresh in its uses. Layer it under or over other shirts and pair with things that aren’t referencing a nautical notion. The other day I was with a girl wearing it with leather pants – so cool.

 

Blumarine

Blumarine Spring 2010 ad

With their neons, tie dyes, and safari vibe for Spring 2010, Blumarine is the standard for Italian cool. Add Doutzen as your ad campaign face and, well, you’ll sell a lot of clothes…but only because they are so pretty, right?

C

is for…

Chandeliers

Prada Spring 2010, style.com

I’ve always been obsessed with them, but this year Miuccia joined me in my love for crystals and chandeliers. She adorned all sorts of things from shoes to vests to bags with them and the effect is nothing short of stunning.

 

Cross-body Bags

  

Reese; Rebecca Minkoff ministudded bag, Revolve Clothing $297

Reese shows just how chic a cross-body bag can look – it doesn’t have to look like you’re biking back to Williamsburg. 

 

Cutouts

Leighton, Cushnie et Ochs Spring 2010 style.com

This trend has been so prominent, but try it a little softer. Leighton’s taken it too far with all the black and tight stuff, but this provides the best balance of feminine and sexy.

 

D

is for…

Dainty Florals

Rebecca Taylor Spring 2010, style.com

They are back in (again – do they ever go out of style?) but this time they’re in a smaller, liberty-type print. Fresh-off-the-farm florals look flattering on everyone, so try it in a dress or skirt or sheer blouse asap!

 

Double Denim

Always far-flung ahead of the fashion curve, Ashley Olsen takes denim to the next level by wearing it two-tone. This can be VERY tricky – make sure that your denim is as far contrasting as possible. Otherwise, you’ll end up looking like you’re wearing a denim suit! Calvin Klein may be chic, but it’s not 1994.

 

E

is for…

Elizabeth & James

Elizabeth & James bra back top, Revolve Clothing, $225; Lucy navy shoe, $200, Revolve Clothing

The two behind this line (see above for one of them) have gained credibility lately with an induction into the CFDA. All the $ in the world (they have 1 billion each) won’t buy you style, so it’s a great relief that they have so much of it. The line is named after their other two siblings, who should be super proud of their twins. With a new shoe line in place, they can only continue to build their brand and their empire.