I’m still not entirely sure where the time has gone since January. Honestly, how is it March? How are we just one week away from Spring Break? More importantly, what did I do during January and February?
But since my desk calendar and my iPhone have provided indisputable evidence that it’s March, I realized it was probably time to talk about trends for spring and summer. Even though I know it’s still -3 degrees where some of you live. This will just give you something to look forward to. I promise the sun will shine again one day.
So, I’ll highlight five trends this week and five next week. Or maybe a few less next week depending on how many trends I dig up.
1. bright colors
What says spring like bright colors? I mean besides the pollen, the allergies, the constant sneezing and the soccer games at the crack of dawn on Saturday mornings?
This is the number one item I’d like to add to my selection of bright colors. And trust me when I tell you that I could use a few bright colors to lighten up all the gray and dark gray and black that currently reside in my closet.
That yellow-so-cute coat is on sale for only $23.99 right now. TWENTY-THREE DOLLARS. That’s insane.
But maybe that coat isn’t for you. Maybe you have a heart of stone that can resist an adorable yellow coat for only $23.99. If so, I’ll suggest something like this central park west sleeveless dress or this bobbie tunic in magenta.
Or maybe you might like this glanz dress from Anthropologie which is the clothing equivalent of floating in a beautiful pool.
I also love this drawing parallels skirt in green.
Oh, and I DIE for this ruffle knit maxi in coral.
And Old Navy has these great gauze flutter-sleeve tops in lemon or fuschia that would be the perfect thing to throw on all summer long.
2. stripes
Stripes are everywhere. And they come in every size, shape and color.
Personally, I have fallen in love with the kingston road dress from Anthropologie.
Stop. It’s too much.
But there are so many other versions of the stripes to be had. Like maybe this mixed rugby stripe tunic or this rosette striped slub top.
Or maybe you only weigh 98 pounds and could get away with this striped cassidy maxi dress.
I love this striped boyfriend tee. It would be the perfect thing to throw on all summer long.
And this gondola romance ruffle top is perfection. I saw a similar top at Charming Charlies last week but I can’t link to it because Charming Charlies doesn’t put the majority of their stuff online which is a crying shame.
I also really like this striped dolman top.
3. 70’s chic (Please read this as “chick” because it will make me happy.)
This is my love language. Maybe it’s because I was born in 1971 and spent many years of my childhood wearing bell bottom jeans and patchwork tops and clogs that had to be resoled from all the wear, but this is my favorite genre of clothing. And I don’t even know if clothing has a genre.
All I know is this makes me want to put on my bell bottoms, flat iron my hair with a part straight down the middle and pull up to the television to watch an hour of Sonny and Cher. Or maybe to ride in my Nanny’s Cadillac while talking on her CB radio and pretending to be in Smokey and The Bandit. Those were good times.
Naturally, you can’t do 70’s chic without platform sandals like these Sadie by Rocket Dog or Taylor by Kensie Girl platforms. Love them both.
And the wide leg is back baby. It’s back. And it’s more groovy than ever. I adore these 7 for all Mankind bell bottoms.
But you can find great jeans anywhere. Check out your local TJ Maxx or Sam’s Club or JC Penneys or even Costco. Did you know Costco sells wedding dresses now? They do. They totally do. Which I think is brilliant except for the fact you might experience your wedding dress moment in between a stack of Hanes sweatshirts and an economy pack of animal crackers.
And then there are the tops.
I love this jalisco embroidered knit top.
And this pintucked gauze top or paloma embroidered smock top.
This swiss dots and lace blouse holds a special place in my heart.
And all of them have the added bonus of being flowy and loose shirts that don’t have to be tucked in. Hallelujah.
I think I actually had a shirt in 1978 that looked like this floral print peasant top. I would probably refrain from wearing it with green denim bell bottoms this time around.
The other big key to 70’s chic is a maxi skirt like this blu moon almost famous skirt. I can almost hear Kate Hudson singing in the background.
4. whites
How much do I love that ya-da white lace top?
SO. MUCH.
I would like to take it home and take care of it and never eat spaghetti sauce while wearing it.
I’d also love to own this joie suri blouse which is eight layers of gorgeous.
Oh, and this daniel rainn tie-waist blouse is everything I could ever want in a top.
But then there’s the maddox tunic top and the free people lace tunic. It’s just too much.
TOO MUCH.
And if you don’t like any of those white tops, then I have to question your sanity. I’ll also point you in the direction of this eyelet skirt from Old Navy. It is the perfect thing to wear all summer long.
5. neutral shoes
I love the neutral shoes because, well, they’re neutral. There is something so comforting about a pair of shoes that can be equal opportunity shoes for everything that’s in your closet.
I adore these blossoming in style wedges.
And these pierre dumas sandals are a great flat sandal.
And if you’re a ballet flat kind of girl, check out these cutout platforms in taupe or these tan ballet flats from Target.
Honestly, there are a ton of neutral shoes to be found. It’s just all a matter of your taste and your high arches and your ability to walk on a wooden platform for extended periods of time.
So that’s it for today. Next week I’ll wrap it up with the remaining unspecified number of trends.
Y’all have a great Friday.
You are KILLING me with all this cuteness! No money vs intense need for summery cuteness = argh! But mark my words, somehow that striped boyfriend t WILL be mine:)
Did I miss something? Did you already critique the red carpet dresses at the Academy Awards?
big mama share something about new born babies clothes
etc I have will have a cute baby girl after 1 month last month
I see her 4d ultrasounds pics she is lovely
Spam.
Ah! The clothing of my teen years is making a revival (again)…
I wonder if I wear this stuff, will I feel 15 again?
Omg! So much, so much! I must have that yellow coat. $23.99?! Wow. I too was born in 1971 so I know exactly what you mean. I feel the same way about 70’s “chick”. I’m drawn to it like a moth to flame.
Happy Friday!
i have a white eyelet skirt i picked up in old navy about 7 years ago. and i STILL pull it out every single year! LOVE!
I found some fabulous flare trouser jeans in old navy for under $30 – very 70s! can’t wait to get a pair!
http://www.girlymama.com/2011/03/fashion-friday-i-may-be-crazy-but-i-can-still-look-cute.html
I’m a big fan of bright colors. 🙂 I usually go with one bright item (ie. my jewelry, or a trench coat like you pictured, a top, or shoes) So I don’t look like a circus performer. Speaking of circus performers, have you seen the “Water for Elephants” trailer? It looks great, and I haven’t even read the book yet!
Wishing I could pull of stripes, but they definitely won’t work with my current body shape. Not a pretty picture at all. So I’ll settle for some of those cute neutral shoes!
LOVE your fashion Fridays! It makes me feel like I am in the know even though all I ever buy anymore is 4T!
I’m all kinds of BRIGHT shades of happy now! I love ev-er-y-thing on this post!! Does that mean I want to be a hippy?
YEHH for Big Mama! You are totally getting full credit for these trends! 😉
So excited! Spring is in the air…
The best thing about neutral shoes? They make your legs look LLOOONNNGGGG!
Oh MY STARS! You make me want to shop!
Another 1971 girl. . .the gig is up for me in August, when I’ll have to face facts that I am actually the adult. Bleh!
I have to say that if it weren’t for you I would have no idea of what’s hip right now. Thanks for keeping me in the loop!
Love it all. Tonight may the Piperline fairy bring us all shopping sprees for Spring!
I too, LOVE the whole 70’s era bohemian chic look! And just so you know, I pronounced it “chick” before you even told me to. I’m classy that way.
I was in college when I first learned that we had been mispronouncing our Chic jeans all those years before. Because, naturally, Texas A&M is where you go to polish your French sensibilities.
Oh, I just loved all these clothes too much! If I had unlimited funds I think that I would buy EVERYTHING! I am so ready for Spring, my allergies on the other hand are saying no thanks. Thanks for putting all of these together, I am ready for warm weather!
LOVE your picks today!
Love the stripe nordtrom t!! Also had to laugh at the white shirt spaghetti comment…yesterday I made lasagna for a new mommy and when I delivered it to her house I finally stopped a second to look at myself and I had splattered sauce ALL over my shirt, ugh! Luckily I had my favorite accessory w me…so I threw him in the baby bjorne which covered my shirt nicely…thanks Joseph!
We have a problem. I’m in love with almost every single item in this post. And the others I have a major crush on. Siiiiiigh. Why does Anthropologie have to charge such exorbitant prices for their clothes and such reasonable ones for their kitchenwares and home decor? I’d prefer the other way around, which might be blasphemy.
Great post, yet again!
HATE HATE HATE bell bottoms!!!! Not good for short people. YUCK! WHY is it all coming back around?!!!
I am really having a love-hate relationship with your FAshion Friday editions. I am about 90% loving that I get to see all these fantastic clothes and feel like I am at the mall, when in reality I am surrounded by 3 kids….but 10% of me always feels a little frustrated, like when I am at the mall and I’m 8 months pregnant and therefore can’t buy anything except for another Large white v neck tee at Motherhood Maternity.
I just need to work out how I can look and purchase each item in the fashion lineup, then I’d be 100% love. I’d better get to work.
Can I just say I need a list for this post.
1. Wedding Dress at Costco…what would David Tuturo say about that. Wow.
2. Pink Gap flutter sleeve shirt – so cute.
3. Yellow coat – I hope my daughter loves it because it’s only 23.99, and she prefers Boden, and that ain’t happenin’ my friend at 13 years old!
4. Shoes with the little flowers! Darling! If only I could walk the 3.2 miles from my parking spot to my office in them. Ah well.
At least I can dig out my old tub of Senior in High School clothes and let my daughter wear them. THey’ll be right in style!
LOVE your blog!
Apparently it’s 1972 all over again. Today’s fashions look just like my college wardrobe – love it!
Sold. Yellow Coat. Thanks.
BEACH BAG QUESTION????
Love the spring trends, and love, love, love that spring is so close it’s time to talk about spring trends (I’m in the north where it’s still slightly frigid, but a girl can dream)! Anyway, any recommendations for a stylish and functional beach bag?
I am loving those blossoming in style wedges 🙂
What are the chances of a Fashion Friday maternity edition???? I am pregnant WITH TWINS and need HELP! Due in September and live where it’s going to be 100+ degrees this summer!!!!
I just received that Swiss dot and lace blouse in ivory and I love it!!!!! I ordered it for my wedding in July—a very casual affair at our cabin on the Kenai river in Alaska. I wanted something pretty and feminine to dress up some jeans, and this blouse is just what I envisioned. Thank you for mentioning Piperlime in one of your other Friday posts. I had never heard of them before and would have never found this perfect top. I cried when I tried it on. My moment. I normally can’t fit into anything posted from some of these specialty stores, but I gave the large a try, and it will work. wished they had XLs, but they don’t. thanks again. I found this because of your fashion friday posts.