White is clearly a favorite, with neutrals a close second. When mixed with color, the look is softer and very contemporary. Try armada with white (for the ever-popular nautical look), yellow, chocolate brown and oatmeal as complementary hue tones. Graphic black and white combos seeming surprisingly fresh.
Perhaps the biggest mixture are spring's array of pants-they run the gamut from cropped, wide gauchos to Bermuda shorts/skimmers. Also look for slender capris, long, slouchy trousers and high-waisted hearty pants. Feminine blouses are the configuration accompaniment: Choose a billowing,
Victorian-style ruffled blouse, or the classic, always-in-style button down. The little black invention has been replaced by "the little white dress," with light, feminine detailing. Jackets are back. Look for cropped, fitted jackets, as well as military-inspired styles: very tailored with high necks. Today's skirts are longer and feminine: tulip shapes, position skirts and multitiered versions. See also beautiful maternity clothes.
There's no guilt to carry a tote or even a briefcase this season. Handbags are big enough to hold just closely anything. Look for cross-body handles and extra-large satchels.
"Oversized is definitely in, but do consider your corpse finger and size," advises McDowell.
Belts are also getting wider. Shoes are chunky with high heels, platform, espadrilles, pit toes and wedges. Vibrant turquoise, coral and amber jewelry add a healthy dose of color; multi-strand necklaces-the longer the better-are bold yet sophisticated. Five easy bureaus to update your women fashion wardrobe are:
- Something, anything white
- A soft romantic skirt
- At least one duo of cropped pants: gauchos, capris or skimmers
- A nautical accent: striped shirt, macrame region or peg espadrilles
- A great big billfold in supple Italian leather or summery straw
