Flirting with Spring
Winter’s not done, though many of us are over it.
Over cold weather, as well as bulky clothes, layers and heavy coats. It’s not practical to toss those to the back of the closet just yet, so the next best option is to tease spring with a few well-chosen pieces in a style or color that will perk up spirits without risking goose bumps or frost bite.
One of the easiest ways to ease into spring is in the beauty department. Red lips were all over the spring runways, and while the look is classic, this season it’s more popular than ever. A swipe of red is bold, powerful and energizing, the perfect start to a new season.
Or reach for a beauty product in Ultra Violet, Pantone’s color of the year. Since makeup is an easy first step to a new seasonal look, consider eye liner or lip gloss in the muchhyped hue. Sooo Lilly Cosmetics in Shoppes at Northpark has several options, including Majesty eyeliner, Lip Stain 07 and Sparkle gloss. The liner can be smudged for a pop of color, then complete your eye look with a blue or gray eye shadow punctuated with a plum lip, Lilly Stone suggested.
Butter London is so thrilled with the sassy color that it launched a collection at Ulta that includes lip gloss, liquid lipstick, eye gloss and nail polish. Why shouldn’t your toes get an early feel for spring, even if you do have keep them covered for a few more weeks?
This time of year, Cindi Shelby likes to reach for fabrics and styles that are suitable for almost year-round but can convey a new look and feel with a few quick changes. A metallic washed denim jacket and tech stretch pants, worn all winter with a sweater and tall boots, takes on a lighter feel with a white T-shirt and booties, said Shelby, a representative and stylist for Worth New York. When warm days are more the norm, pair the look with a tank and a breezy sandal. With a change of top and footwear, the outfit becomes suitable for four seasons, she said.
Dresses offer other options. A silk chiffon flounce dress may feel lightweight and perfectly suited for spring and summer, but it can be worn in cooler weather with high-heeled boots and opaque tights. A fitted jacket adds a bit more warmth if necessary. Come late March, ditch the jacket, tights and boots and show off bare legs and sling black pumps with a sexy kitten heel.
If those black boots have seen a little too much love and wear this winter, Betsy King, owner of Betsy King A Shoe Boutique in the Paseo Arts District, suggests tiptoeing into the new season with a transition bootie. “You still have the warmth and coverage for the actual temps, but the color or fabrication is lighter and brighter,” she said. “I’m in love with these Seychelles booties.”
The ruffle helps it feel more like spring, too. Crystal Bland, owner of miloandlilybou tique.com, likes color for that springlike feeling, even if it’s not quite spring.
“Ease into spring with one of the most popular colors this season, dusty blue,” she said. A whimsical floral top in a peplum style is an easy transition piece for most body shapes, she said, and it pairs nicely with pants, jeans or skirts, those items probably hanging in most women’s closets.
And, finally, let’s not forget the little things. While lipstick and eye shadow in a new color can make you feel good as spring inches closer, the same goes for accessories such as a colorful bag or one in an interesting shape, over-the-top earrings, bold necklaces and arm candy that looks delish without the calories. Statement-making jewelry is a big trend for spring. For fun, try mismatched earrings, a look that got a lot attention on spring runways.
Winter may not be over, but it feels good to flirt a little with spring fashion.