Dress Like A Grown Up for Spring 2014
Because in my head I still think I’m 30, I’m drawn to clothing that is often a wee bit on the young side. But after 25 years in the industry, I’m a fashion girl at heart, and I was on the hunt for a few new things for Spring that were grown up but touched on the trends. And there are quite a few trends I like this spring: florals, fisherman sandals, a slimming suit and slip-on sneakers are on my list.
Clockwise from top left:
1. I’m a firm believer in a good navy blazer to wear matchy-matchy as a suit or throw on to polish up jeans and a tee shirt. This one from Theory is a light weight, all season tropical wool. I like the narrow peak lapel and the curvy, flattering fit. A single closure looks good buttoned or not. Find it here.
2. If there was a year to buy a suit, this is it. This slim, cropped leg trouser looks great with the fitted blazer and the length lends itself to heels or sneakers When my luggage was lost in Austin a few weeks ago, I happily wore this suit for three days straight. Theory trouser.
3. A good dress is hard to find, especially one that doesn’t make you feel like you’re trying to look like a teenager. What’s good about this one? It’s a stretch knit summer dress (super for travel) with some smart tucking at the set-in waist that hides all ills. Wish it came in solid navy, but the prints available are fun. The photo is deceiving, the dress hits mid-knee, not mini. Good to know: if the description includes length of dress in inches, measure from the back of your neck and you’ll know where the hem will hit. J. Mclaughlin Emma Dress
4. This season’s slip-on sneakers are a throw back to classic Vans, but this Vince version comes in a dressier suede that looks great with the suit or jeans. Tons of designers have jumped on this trend, so you can find them at every price point. Or save yourself some dough and get the originals.
5. I always love a classic bag and this one, Coach’s reissue of its 70’s stewardess bag, looks as good to me now as it did then AND will last forever. Wish I saved my Coach bags from college, the young’uns are snapping them up in vintage shops! Click here.
6. There are plenty of shoe trends that look good to me for Spring: T-straps, fishermen, huaraches, espadrilles, chunky heels, and this Dolce Vita version is sort of a mash-up of all of them. Plus the naked color goes with everything and adds length to the leg.
7. It should be the easiest thing to find but it never is: the perfect white tee. I’ve been buying the same one from James Perse for years now. It’s not too thick or too thin, has just the right short sleeve and is roomy through the mid-section so it doesn’t grab around the waist (not one of my better features!). The low vee neck makes it a little sexy, too. James Perse Tee
8. While I’m tempted by faded jeans this season (love these but won’t spend the dough!), I stick to dark or black denim. They’re slimming and more sophisticated. I’ve been living in this Gap pair: skinny, stretchy but not too tight or too low. I bought the Ankle Length so they’re a bit cropped and I cuff them up to show a bit more leg. Beware white chairs, these definitely bleed a bit before washing! Gap Always Skinny Jean in Rinse
9. For a girl who never wears color, I love a pretty floral print in the Spring and this year they’re blooming all over. A placket shirt is a safe way to sport this trend and Zara makes a good one. Zara Floral Top
See more stuff I love on my Spring 2014 Pinterest Board.
Update: February 2015: Here’s my Spring 2015 Pinterest Board.
p.s. in the interest of full disclosure, some of the links above are affiliates, which means I make a teeny weeny bit of dough if you buy or click, but everything I write about is my personal opinion whether I benefit from an affiliate link or not.