CD That's Me

The weather is shaping up despite a few downpours, and it is time for some spring cleaning and shopping. I am officially out of hibernation and ready to put some pep in my step and new fashion tips and trends to the test. I would like to dedicate this post to Rachel, the one who truly with one plea for help, inspired me to get out of my uggs and into my groove.

Spring fashion is all over the map – literally. Knowing what you love and what looks good on your body is now more important than ever. And I find as I get older, the easiest way to always look good. The trends do not work on everyone and are not appropriate for everyplace. Sort through the magazines, try on many styles and cuts before you buy whether in a store or on-line and shop your own closet for pieces that you can make work now and that finish many different outfits. Remember fashion is fun, and spring and summer are the times to dress to make you feel more youthful and happy.

Let’s start from the bottom and work our way up! For shoes this season, it is either sky-high or flat as a pancake for me. There is NO in-between. I am still loving wedges – added height, comfort and stability. The ones that are hot now are with cork or rope heels or wooden – a modern take on the clog. The idea is to elongate the leg, so wear them with dresses and shorts or with skinny jeans that you can roll and cuff at the ankle. High clogs also look great with a wide leg jean. I have my eye on two pairs from Miu Miu and Bottega Veneta.

I am also loving flat sandals – yes I just said that! Don’t get me wrong, I still adore my heels, but a cool pair of new gladiators, with a zipper closure or an embellished thong can be super hot too. It’s about proportions here, try them on with your outfit – you will know instantly if your leg needs more height or if you can rock the laid back vibe. Sometimes heels with everything make you look like you are trying too hard. Lately for me, running around Boston or NYC has been easier in my favorite distressed riding boots. This look translates well to a great pair of sandals or even my tried and true metallic havaianas. I pack the heels for dinners or events. Some sandals I am considering are , “they were so hot last year they brought them back” snake beaded from Calypso, a suede neutral by Antik Batik and a gorgeous warm brown zip up gladiator from Givenchy. And K. Jacques always has some great leather sandals and wedges at very reasonable price points. Years ago, I bought two pairs at Jeffery NYC, a pair of gold wedges and turquoise suede flip flops, that are still in great shape and style.

There are tons of great heels out there now. The platform is still fresh and anything with numerous straps, cut outs, chain links or zippers are on fire. I avoid the overly ornate or sculptured heel, those will be so last season so fast and not a good ROI. I already bought a pair of LAMB super high, cut out, open toe booties. I have been sporting them with skinny jeans and must admit as soon as I zip these up, I feel like a true rock star. Balenciaga also has a killer pair of heels this season with a soft piece of black leather in the front that looks bad-ass off and I assume does wonders for your leg on. And Prada, one of my favorite brands for style and comfort, has some gorgeous platform pumps for both work and play. The open weave Louboutins look fierce and I am such a fan of that bright red bottom, but I don’t think will be that comfortable after hours on your feet. My advice is buy one or two pairs now that you love and can wear many different way. Then wait until a couple of months for all the summer sales and you can scoop up one or two more!

I am not sure of the socks with sandals look. It never worked on Papa and I am not sure it will work on me either. If you are tempted to venture down this sock path, I would try them with a cropped pant and a bootie or a midcalf dress with a high sandal.

Okay now lets move our way up to pants. Denim is everywhere. Jeans, pants and dresses. And god help us, the jean jacket is back too. And back for another season, the skinny silhouette is the rage. I am still loving my AG Adriano Goldschmied stilts but I got a new, lighter wash. These look great with heels or flats. I would like to try on the J Brand/Duarte jeans for that rocker Balmain look which a part of me will always love. But you will also find some baggier styles out there too. This tomboy look is fab with a tank or oversized button down tucked in with a great belt.

Cargo pants are also all over the streets because of the utilitarian chic trend. I love cargo pants and think you can wear them day or night. I want to try the J Brand – they are super skinny and with a great soft tee and slouchy blazer and the right jewelry make a hip outfit or are “celebrity casual” and perfect with an oversized super soft, lightweight cashmere v-neck sweater on a cool summer night. And I am loving the glitter meets military look. Recently for dinner, I paired an army green pair of fitted Proenza Schouler chinos with an oversized gold sequined Gryphon tank and super high heels. All of which may I add were reinvented by shopping my closet.

Soft pants are current now too. These I have mixed feelings about – I am not a fan of the overly loose, draped or bloused dhoti styles but do like an easy fluid menswear inspired pair in a neutral shade or classic black. I bought some in black silk by Isabel Marant that I plan to wear with a knit or cashmere tank and a great long, bold necklace and be polished enough for work meetings or with a simple cotton tank and wedges for a summer outing. The key with these is to balance the softness with something more tailored like a vest and someting simple on top. Richard Chai also has a great pair and I bet you Banana Republic has a few styles that won’t break the bank.

Who wears short shorts? Honestly if you are somewhere around that jailbait age or got the tan legs to do them justice, go for it for day or night. If not, stick to a tailored pair of trouser shorts with a grown up strappy platform or wedge and a blazer or shirt for dress up daywear or a cute pair of cut offs or low slung short shorts with a great striped top for weekends. I even like the pockets hanging out if paired correctly with a french inspired striped top (can’t go wrong with the St James striped tops at Calypso) and a pair of flips, laceless sneakers or if you dare sneaker wedges. This is not your typical Daisy Duke outfit. I picture this on a ferry or at a picnic.

Today I went shopping with BFF Candy and we tested some of the above advice and targets. I ended up getting another pair of the AG stilt jeans but in white. White jeans are a summer staple. The AG stilts are soft and look great on the leg. . . even in white. And I did splurge and got the J Brand cargos. (I had a gift certificate that was burning a hole in my pocket. . . thank you Di!) I also purchased an adorable pair of G-One short shorts – 100% linen, low slung and super casual. They reek vacation and beach weekends. With a simple navy or white tank and my havaianas, I will be good to go!

Next up dresses, tops, jackets and the accessories to wear with it all. I am out of hibernation and only starting to feel the heat. Stay tuned!