Every spring when the designers are finally showing their new clothes and stores are finally carrying them, I have an Elle party. Guests? Me. Description? Circling all of my favorite trends in the magazine that I absolutely without a doubt have to try. Since I’m a college student, I obviously don’t saunter off to the nearest Chanel boutique and buy the exact item that I just circled, or call in an order for one of those “price upon request” items. I go to Express.com and try to find items that look the most like what I’m looking for. Usually, Express carries all of the trends and has exactly what I want, but that’s the problem. I get so excited about the fact that the trends that I’ve just seen in Elle are actually carried in an affordable store that I buy on impulse. A bright halter dress? Gold sequin heels? Sailor striped top? I’ve got ‘em. But especially this spring, since the hottest trends are completely different from each other and completely crazy, I have found myself with a lot of great “get noticed” pieces. And “get noticed” pieces don’t go together. So instead of going out and buying more items to complete your statement pieces that you already bought or are thinking about trying, here are the Perfect 10 ways to shop your closet to compliment this year’s best spring looks without spending another dollar!
1. Trend: COLOR, COLOR, COLOR!
Don’t know what to wear with that bright pink dress you just bought? Tone it down with a staple jean or leather jacket from your closet. A jean jacket will give off a “girl next door” vibe, and a leather jacket will give off a trendier, more edgy vibe. Take your pick depending on the occasion! I paired a jean jacket with a bright dress last weekend when I went to a casual party on campus!
2. Trend: ALL WHITE!
If you’ve flipped through any of the magazines this March, you’ve noticed that an all white ensemble is a huge statement look this spring. If you want to try it out, my advice to you is to buy the top, closet shop the bottoms. Chiffon, ruffled front tanks, and high cut tops are hot right now, and almost everyone already has white skirts or shorts-they are timeless! I’ve had an old, basic white skirt in my closet since ninth grade (that still somehow miraculously fits) and now that it’s finally back in style I can wear it and still look fashion forward by pairing it with a newer, fashion forward top!
3. Trend: LBD
The only thing I love more than the fact that little black dresses never go out of style is the new styles of LBDs that designers are showing in their collections this spring! I bought a chiffon ruffled front dress from Express with a slip on the bottom, but a subtly see through back. To make the look brighter for spring I shopped my closet for a bright pair of heels and found hot pink Steve Madden wedges that I had worn a few years back for my senior pictures! My awesome find incorporated two spring trends: wedges and color, and I didn’t have to spend a penny! I also painted my nails bright pink with a Sally Hansen polish to complete the look!
4. Trend: 70s look
If you plan on embracing the 70s look this spring with flowing tunics and bell bottom pants, go all out with your accessories! I would recommend wearing the tunic with a tailored skirt, or the wide leg colored pants with a tucked-in fitted top. If you wear them together, it could like you’re going to a costume party. But there is a fine line, if you want to pull off the look, you have to be generous with your accessories to show off what you’re going for! Shop your closet for big sunglasses, chunky bracelets and necklaces, or bright platform heels!
5. Trend: Boyfriend Chic
All the designers this year are showing less tailored blazers in their new collections! I love this look because a blazer is the most versatile item of a wardrobe. Be impulsive and buy the blazer. You can shop your closet for a short summer sundress to add an element of flirtation, and complete the boyfriend look with a fat watch (you could actually borrow your boyfriend’s for the full effect!) and neutral heels or sandals, depending on where you decide to wear the look!
6. Trend: Sailor stripes!
This may be my favorite spring trend because I love preppy-chic! The sailor-striped jackets and tanks that designers are showing for spring are perfect for “beginning of summer” parties! If you’re attending a casual event, shop your closet for boat shoes (I love Sperry’s) and simple white shorts, if you’re going to a party, pair a striped tank with a patterned skirt that you already have! Mixing patterns has a chic effect this spring, but make sure that you can pull it off before you leave the house, you don’t want to look too crazy!
7. Trend: SEE THROUGH CHIC
Ever since the see through beach cover up that Kate Middleton was modeling the first time that Prince William saw her in a fashion show went on the market, designers have been showing a lot of completely see-through pieces! This is a more risky trend, and one that definitely won’t catch on as fast as bright color or sheer white, so if you’re going to try it, copy Kate and go for minimalism. Buy it as a cover-up to throw over a bathing suit that you already own! If you want to wear it out, shop your closet for white high waisted jeans, and make sure that you wear the prettiest bra that you own, all eyes will be on you!
8. Trend: Dress shorts!
I would like to think that Whitney Port (from The City) helped make dress shorts what they are today. Although she started wearing them about a year and a half ago on her show with tights underneath, all the designers are showing them in their spring collections, but in a less tailored way, almost so that they look like skirts! Because the shorts will wing out, make sure to shop your closet for a very fitted tank. If you have a lace tank from the winter lace-craze, pair the shorts with that! Lace is still carrying over into the spring collections!
9. Trend: Classy, colorful jumpsuits
Jumpsuits are back from last summer, yet again! But this time, they’ve been vamped up and ready for the party scene rather than the beach! We’ve seen silk, chiffon, and delicately made button and ruffle front jumpsuits on all the runways, some as shorts, some with halter tops, some as full pants, take your pick, and there is probably a store selling it! Shop your closet for a belt to clinch the look and accentuate your waistline, especially if you’re wearing the pants version! It is essential to highlight your assets! Because these are being shown in such bright colors, use minimalism accessories from your closet! Subtle bracelets or necklaces, and neutral heels or flats depending on how casual you decide to dress! If you want to cover up and go more casual, you could even combine this look with the boyfriend trend and pair the jumpsuit with an open blazer!
10. Trend: Cowgirl-chic
I’ve seen so many cowgirl hats, rope bracelets, fringe, snakeskin, and jean fabric belts in stores this spring! This time, buy the accessories, and add them to an outfit that you already have. Adding a jean cowgirl belt to the white look gives it a pop of color, wear a cowboy hat with your beach wear, or carry a beige snake-skin clutch the next time you dress up to go out!