Gone are the days that we have to bundle up and wear as many pairs of socks as can fit in our boots, (fingers crossed.) Now it’s time to take a look at your closet and decide what is worth keeping and what would be better off in the nearest donation bin. Think about how fast trends change and you will realize that it is not worth it to keep every item of clothing you have accumulated over the never-ending winter.
It’s a no brainer when it comes to what clothing should go first. Ask yourself this: what have you not worn at all during the past few months? Is there a certain sweater that used to fit just like a glove but now, not so much? How about anything with stains or holes? Sometimes it is hard to part with pieces that hold some sort of significance, but when you have more room in your closet, it will allow for even better pieces to round out your spring and summer wardrobe!
There are countless blogs and lists about which pieces every woman’s wardrobe should have, but everyone is different so it’s a little presumptious for fashion gurus to tell every woman that they should own at least one white button down shirt and a trench coat. If you want my honest opinion, I think that classics are for women who lack a secure sense of style and turn to clothing of the past that has managed to transcend decades. If you’re looking to experiment and take chances, you are better off trying new things that Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and other starlets probably wouldn’t have felt were acceptable during their time. Don’t get me wrong, the classics are great staples and you can’t go wrong with them, but to quote Cyndi Lauper’s famous song, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and that should show in the clothes that we wear!
Spring is a time to wear bright colors and abandon that neutral palette that kept you warm all winter. As you may recall from “The Devil Wears Prada,” when florals are suggested for spring, Miranda Priestly sarcastically remarks they are “ground-breaking.” Well, not much has changed and florals are still big for springtime. There’s something about the crisp morning air that turns into a warm afternoon powered by the sun that makes florals kind of okay to wear each spring. Along with florals, I’m sure you can guess the next trend. If you guessed pastels, you’re right! To mix it up a little though, you can look to the colors of the season, which include warm vibrant yellow and orange as well as cooler colors such as a muted sage along with violet and blue.
Now that you have the colors to look for, it’s time to look to key silhouettes and tailoring. One of my favorite things about spring is that as soon as the weather warms up, everyone has a little pep in their step and they pull out all the stops when it comes to dressing well. It is almost like the warm air re-invents people and campus becomes a happier and more stylish place to be. Skater skirts were super popular this fall and winter and the good thing is, you can still wear them, just without the tights and booties! You may want to put a different spin on the look and you can do so with a denim vest or jacket. Maybe even go for a floral blazer to spice things up!
A trend that I am very excited about is overalls! It’s funny because before this year, I couldn’t get past the idea of the classic Osh Kosh Bagosh look, but now I can’t wait to get my hands on a pair! With a cute cropped top and maybe some high top Converse sneakers, the look can be re-invented and ultimately made to look chic. Of course, dresses are always a spring favorite and this season, it’s in your best interest to invest in boho loose-fitting tunics. These can be paired with a military jacket for those chillier Philly nights resulting in a very relaxed, yet put-together look.
For those of you who are obsessed with the crop top trend, don’t worry, you will be able to show off your tan and toned abs for at least another season. If you have not yet been completely sold on the trend, let me tell you, there are different ways that you can wear it in order to flatter your body shape, whatever it may be. A girl’s best friend when it comes to a crop top is a high wasted skirt or pair of pants or shorts because any unwanted areas can remain concealed.
My parting words are to try new things this spring. Let yourself invest in pieces that you may not ordinarily wear. You can always pair the classics that you have in your closet with a trendy piece, a combination that is as close to a match made in heaven as can be. Imagine how chic a white button down would look with a pair of bright scalloped shorts! The possibilities are endless. Now get to that closet and make some serious decisions about what looks best on you and what you can invest in this season to pair with what you have left!