Women have long refreshed their wardrobes by adding just a few pieces each season, and this spring they have even more reason to approach fashion that way.
The economy has consumers shopping in their own closets — taking a second look at items they bought a year or more ago and finding ways to update them. There also hasn’t been a big shift in silhouettes, fabrics or hemlines in recent seasons, so it’s not necessary to toss perfectly good garments.
That said, there are a few surefire ways to energize your spring wardrobe. Greg Boggan, merchandise director at Neiman Marcus in Denver, shared his thoughts for the season in a recent preview for customers, but we’ve seen similar trends at mainstream retailers like Kohl’s and Target as well as the specialty stores like Neiman’s and Saks.
Try these ideas:
Show your colors. Spring is always a time for a fresh palette, and that’s more true than ever during bleak economic times. “There’s a shade of pink for every woman, from pale to hot pink,” Boggan says. Store displays are also full of orange and yellow, green and blue. It’s enough to wear one colorful item — even in an accent like a scarf — if you’re not the type to wear head-to-toe brights.
Pick a print. If you were savvy enough last year to buy a floral blouse or dress, graphic print jacket or skirt, you’re ahead of the game. If not, adding a printed top can make a basic neutral pant or skirt suit look new, and chosen well, it can work with jeans on the weekends, too.
Cover up with a cardigan. A jacket is great, but a cardigan can step in and take its place in both work and after-hours attire.
Bare a shoulder. Women who like to stay on top of trends will want to add a one-shoulder look, whether it’s a simple top or a sexy cocktail dress.
Go bold with accessories. Put aside the dainty necklace and delicate strappy shoes in favor of styles that are big and bold this season. Handbags continue to be oversized — Neiman’s is calling them “carryalls” for good reason. Saks is slapping the label “aggressive” on its thick-strapped, platformed and high-heeled shoes.
Suzanne S. Brown: 303-954-1697 or sbrown@denverpost.com
