How to Wear Spring's Hottest Trends
By Mandy Major
It's time to banish those bulky sweaters and structured garments because spring is about to arrive, and with it a bevy of blousy and bright looks. This season is set to be one of the most upbeat in years with an eclectic array of flattering shapes and cheery colors. For insight on the best styles to embrace, we turned to Jeannie Mai, host of How Do I Look?. Below she shares her five favorite trends and how you can work them into your wardrobe.
Prints That Pop
This spring, the bolder the better. Go for sunny colors (yellow, orange, violet, green) and peppy prints, then try layering complementary prints to create a unique look. "Start small," Mai suggests. "Pull out a dainty, soft floral print skirt that's not too bold, in a soft lilac or lavender. Then pick out a camisole or small blouse that's a lighter print and tie it all together with a solid denim jacket or cardigan." The key is to balance your overall look, wearing one neutral, solid-colored piece to anchor the paired prints. And if the print is bold, opt for more muted colors; if faint, kick it up with a brighter shade than usual. "If it is a little busy, that's OK. In spring, you can have a little bit more fun with color and be out there," Mai says.
Vintage Glamour
It's time to dig for buried treasure in your closet (or your mother's) because the '70s are back! From paisley prints to wooden belt buckles to leather vests, it's all up for the taking. The secret is picking just one stand-out item, and then scaling back the rest of the look with subdued pieces. Vests are one of Mai's favorite looks for this trend. "Vests are very flattering on every body type. The key is to make sure you get a vest that's soft in fabric. Not denim, that'll look cowboy, but soft with a cardigan feel," she says. Keep the look modern by balancing proportions: If the vest is at or above the waistline, wear bootcut or skinny jeans with a high waist. If the vest is long, pair it with a shorter skirt or capris. If paisley and vests have you running for the hills, try a more subtle approach that adds instant appeal: Replace the generic buttons on your coat with large wooden ones that have a vintage feel.
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Vivid Makeup
One of Mai's main goals for the season is to motivate women to wear brighter shades of makeup. "Almost every runway had either bright eyeshadow or bright dewy lips," Mai says. Not that you have to adopt the runways' electric pinks and tangerine tones-it's about the inspiration, so start with one small change. Mai recommends a playful eyeliner or eyeshadow in aqua or lime (her favorite brands for bright shades include M.A.C. and Too Faced). Or opt for colored mascara-violet or blue really makes the eyes stand out. If you'd rather play up your lips, apply a swipe of bright lipstick and keep everything else simple. When in doubt, skip the eyes and lips and focus on the cheeks with a warm coral or marmalade shade. You'll be surprised, Mai says, of its youth-ifying abilities.
Extreme Texture
This trend is all about embracing opposites: hard-hitting pieces with attitude-military jackets, big buckles and sexy leather-or super-sheer, soft pieces. And neither is as intimidating as it sounds. For an edgy daytime look, try a leather pencil skirt with a collared shirt; for night, leather-like leggings (made in nylon or pleather) paired with a cashmere sweater or loose T-shirt and scarf. When going for the ethereal look, try a sheer blouse layered over a slim-fitting camisole, or a body-conscious solid dress overlaid with a looser, airy dress. "I love anything that has sheer factor to it," Mai says. "It's sexy and it's in for spring!"
Long, Loose Dresses
This isn't so much a trend, as it is an essential item for spring: the universally flattering maxi dress, which features a more fitted bust and a flowy, ankle-length skirt. "Spring is all about looser garments," Mai says. And with this style of dress, "you can drop and add weight in any capacity and no one can tell."
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com
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