Spring Prints that are easy on the wallet

I hate to harp on about one particular trend, but it's hard not to when it comes to graphic prints.  I know I've talked about them before and you know how much I love them (probably on a par with my love of floral prints!), but designers are loving them too right now.  It started with one of my personal favorite designers Mary Katrantzou, then Erdem and Peter Pilotto jumped on the computer-generated print bandwagon.  While high-end designer offerings may be a bit out of our budget, affordable stores like Zara and Asos are offering up some serious print love too!  Here are some of my picks for the best cutting-edge prints to add to your spring wardrobe lineup.


I love the parade of vibrant colors in this print.  This is a great look for spring, just add a moto jacket for extra coolness!  Available at Zara.




How cool is this dress?  I love it!  The mirrored effect is a telltale sign of digital graphic print design - and I love it!  This simple shift is like wearing your favorite work of art.  It's very Mary Katrantzou(ish), without the high cost of a designer label!  Available at Zara and this is a real steal!




Not everything has to be in your face bold.  This floral chiffon maxi is just as feminine as you please without sacrificing artistry.  Another one from Zara.




A major print trend is the graphic mix-up seen here.  The sudden switch from a white to black background is very hip.  Zara!



Another mirrored botanical wonderland.  Not easy to pull off as there's a lot going on head-to-toe, but done right will look fab!  Affordable from Forever 21 and pretty with purple accents.



This dress reminded me of porcelain and the highly valuable Ming vases that few of us will ever see in person, let alone get our hands on.  But get the vibe from Forever 21.



Part peplum, part short, flowing like your favorite skirt and packed with a cool tribal graphic print.  Adore this look from Forever 21.



Okay, I confess, I have pants just like these and I too wear them with little ankle booties!  Love the colors, love the pattern, love wearing them!  Thank you Forever 21.



Stuck in the city this summer?  Buy this dress and you have an instant visual getaway!  From Asos.





Long, lean, graphic and mean!  That's what any chick in this maxi will be!  She's also smart because this is one to transition from spring to summer to fall!  Asos!




And for my final pick, I have another pretty, feminine pink print showing that graphic elements don't have to be hard.  The waist tie and V-neck were made to show off curves.  Available at Piperlime.

My Plus-Size Picks for Spring!

It's not exactly a secret that finding cute, trendy plus-sized clothing can be a bit of a challenge.  In fact, it really bothers me that I even have to use the word plus-size, because in Europe where I am from, a size 10 is not considered plus, it's considered normal!  But this is America, and if you're not a size 2 I guess you're considered to be plus sized!  The message this sends to young women who are still developing is very negative, and body image issues are rife among young girls.  However, thanks to increased visibility from retailers like ASOS, the search is at least a little less tedious than before.  I've picked a few items that are available now from pretty, frilly dresses to work-appropriate gear.

And ladies young and old, if you're not a size 2 or even a size 10, don't beat yourself up over it - you're still beautiful!


Ready to meet your new everyday casual dress?  Here you go!  This is available at Target and is super affordable.




This top is so effortlessly cool, and I think it'll be really versatile; plus the long, light sleeves are perfect for spring.  Available at ASOS.



This is one of my favorite picks.  Get a little fancier in this cool scarf-print dress - perfect for work or a trip to the museum as well as a multitude of other things too....love this!  Also available at ASOS.



Get in on the colored jean trend with these bright blues!  Lighter than regular washes but also not too out-there!




White eyelets couldn't be more perfect for spring, and I think this top was done really well.  Available at Old Navy.




The denim vest is a summer staple - and I like how this one is slightly cropped and form-fitting.  The silhouette is so cute.




I'm loving this leather spin on the typical work-ready blazer.  Available from Lane Bryant.




This pretty, frilly dress will be your go-to for all outdoor events this summer - barbeques, fireworks, picnics, etc.

Vests for Spring...

We all know that spring calls for layering expertise.  Between crazy weather and a mixture of heated and air conditioned interiors, adding an extra layer that can be donned and removed easily is just common sense.  What's the perfect piece?  Well as many of you know I've always been a fan of vests.  Not only does it fit the easy-on, easy-off criteria, but many can double as outerwear themselves, or are thin enough to be put under your fave spring jacket.  Here are some options, high and low, casual and formal, that will add chic to day and evening attire.


Hesitant to commit to the full army-inspired coat or jacket?  Try this vest instead.  The pink interior piping lends a trendy, whimsical element that'll be perfect with all of your neutral tops and sweaters.



Can you imagine the buttery texture of this leather vest?  And that gorgeous medium brown is a perfect transition color that works for spring and fall.  Put it over your florals now and your cardis and turtlenecks later.



Long vests are perfect belting opportunities.  A thick brown belt works for day over your favorite maxi, and a metallic belt at night will add some umph to a mini and heels.



The simple styling of this look is almost perfect.  All it needs are a few golden accessories.  I love the relaxed look of this.




I adore white dresses, but they tend to wash me out when I'm going white head-to-toe.  What do I do?  Add a white vest to my look instead.  This open number has endless possibilities.




Not for the faint of style, this moto vest is an obvious choice for girls night out cocktails.  It's the perfect wow-piece to put with any and all of your LBDs.




Rarely do you see leather in a soft blue like this.  As an unexpected piece, it also becomes an amazing spring statement.  This is probably my favorite of all these looks.



Stella McCartney can do no wrong, as evidenced with this classic men's style vest tailored for a woman's curves.  Wear it with cut-offs, maxi skirts, skinnies, wide-leg pants, over dresses, under denim jackets.  Wear it with everything, basically.




Love this gray-toned take on a moto style.  Love that it's affordable too from Forever 21!




Fitted vests add shape to shapeless pieces and are ideal with billowing blouses and dresses.  Love the classic 70s vibe of this little number, and may be seen in it come May, June or July.

See How This Season's Shoes Work for You!

It's true that trends have a life cycle (though longer than most people think); they creep up slowly over seasons, have their moment and then fade into the background.  If a trend is lucky, its moment can last for years; it can even become a new classic.  I'm predicting that, like the ballet flat, the low heel has the ability to be a trend for some time to come - and that its moment is here.  High heels will always be sexy and always in style, but quite frankly, I'm tired of wearing them (and tired of having sore feet)!  So let's enjoy some of our favorite shoes collected from recent runways and start planning our next beloved, well-heeled purchase!


The almost wedge - this shoe packs a one-two punch: clear plexiglass/plastic accessories are another trend on the rise.  Here, Stella McCartney incorporates a teeny tiny heel at the bottom of a wedge sole for a new take on an old standby.  And the nude color is going to go with everything, literally everything!  I love this shoe!





Metallic touch - I guess it's a "new millennium" step into the future thing, but metallic touches on clothing and accessories are still going strong.  Try it in this low spike heel pump from Peter Som.  It might add some pep to your step!





The Floral - feminine, flirty, wearable, what's not to love about this pair of heels?  I wouldn't be surprised if I saw Kate Middleton sporting this exact pair sometime in the near future!  If you've got a conservative event or just want to amp up your look to ladylike status, look for a pair of heels like this!





Sling back - this pair of heels, replete with a kitten heel and bright print, make me think of a number of fantasy locations I'd like to comfortably stroll through.  A fit-and-flare dress or skirt paired with a crisp white button up would suit these just fine.  Maybe a pair of ankle skinnies and a long cardi...really the possibilities are endless!





Brocade Mary - this silhouette, the chunky-heeled Mary Jane, has been showing up since 2010.  If there's going to be a low-heel revolution, it's going to likely come in this shape.  From J. Crew to H&M, I plan on seeing this with and without the strap.  Look for studded heel details, glitter versions and patent leather varieties.  This brocade take from Dolce & Gabbana is sweet and sophisticated at the same time.





To the point - this oxblood color is gorgeous!  The pointed-toe flat (or in this case 1/4 inch heel) is making an appearance in virtually all price points and I can't help but love the runway pairing with this long flowing bottom.  So chic!  I highly recommend.

Look Fab in this Season's A-Line Skirts!

More relaxed than the pencil skirt and more polished than the mini, this season it's all about the A-line skirt!  And what's not to love, with its 60's attitude and universally flattering shape, this prim separate will give both your day and evening wardrobe a refreshing turnaround.  And while this clean silhouette almost never errs on the polished side, it can and will venture into frumpy-land if not styled properly.  So think fitted tops, classic belts and ladylike heels for a combination that is irresistibly fresh.  Take a look at some of my picks of A-line skirts that will look great!


Of-the-moment details like sheer checkered cut-out windows and an unfinished hem give this skirt a very fresh turn.




Infuse a punch of color to your spring wardrobe by adding this bright yellow mid-length skirt.   Sheer panels along the hemline make for an unexpected but sexy accent.




A tonal colored hem gives what would be an otherwise basic white skirt sophistication and plenty of style cred.




Glorious hummingbirds provide a charming encounter on the front of a sharply tailored A-line skirt.  For a more casual stance, pair this fancy separate with a marbled gray solid jersey tee.





Chunky plastic zip accents bring further edge to an already very trendy fluorescent piece.  In order to avoid trend overload, or worse, looking cheap, keep your top as basic and as streamlined as possible.






Bold chevron stripes in shades of red, navy and white transport a classic separate into a delightful discovery. Give it a vacation-inspired upgrade by pairing it with a cap-sleeved button down and strappy espadrilles.





Cut from mixed media, this statement skirt is an instant outfit upgrader.  Keep your styling on the mod side by adding a white top and white patent leather pumps.

Know what to wear for every occasion this season...

Now that April is here, it means it's the start of the events season, and this means you'll be getting invitations to weddings, bridal & baby showers, graduations, and various other parties that come along with the warm weather!  For some of us, receiving a smaller-than-average envelope in the mail signals a time-consuming social obligation.  For others, it means only one thing : What am I going to wear? And what exactly does "creative black tie" mean?  Or "resort formal"?  Well I'm here to give it to you straight!  The last thing you need when showing up to your high school friend's wedding is to feel under or overdressed.  So let's start with the basics and move on to some of the more modern invite attire looks.


White Tie - get your man to the nearest rental shop because only a tux with tails, white vest and bow tie will do.  As for yourself, still have your prom dress hanging around?  Just kidding!  But seriously, you better wear a dress that skims the ground and is one your father would approve of!  White tie specifies "conservative gown" for women.  Consider adding opera-length gloves for a touch of drama!




Black Tie - very dressy, but less so than white tie.  For a man, it means a traditional tux.  For a woman, it means you're allowed slightly more room when it comes to cut and color.  Keep your dress long, but feel free to add in a bit of embellishment and/or color.




Semi-formal/Informal - a guy can break out his favorite dark suit (no seersucker, please!) and you can shorten the length of your dress.  Keep it dressed up, and relatively conservative.




Cocktail - Men, dark suits.  Girls, at this point you should ditch all thoughts of long dresses.  It's okay to show a bit of cleavage or leg (but not both!) and sex it up a little.  Also feel free to wear an upscale jumpsuit or pantsuit as well as dressy separates like a chiffon blouse and pencil skirt.




Dressy Casual - guys can start to ease up on the suits and go with a collared shirt, jacket and pants.  For women, this is open to interpretation.  What you might wear for brunch on Easter Sunday is dressy casual.  But you can also wear what you would for "cocktail" with perhaps a lower heel, less makeup and/or jewelry.




Business Casual - since this is usually stated for company functions and not parties, you should assume it's what you'd wear to the office.  Conservative, but not so stuffy you can't spend the entire day in it.  Same goes for guys.




Casual - do I recommend shorts for your date?  No!  Absolutely remain stylish, but casual means specifically no gowns, no cocktail attire, no suits, no ties.  Jeans and T-shirts, shorter skirts and dresses and a little slouch is okay.  Given the onslaught of the midriff-baring trend, this also fits into "casual".  But please remember ladies that the midriff-baring should be left to the younger set!




Creative Black Tie - It's formal, but you have some wiggle room in terms of letting your personal style shine. Like sequins head-to-toe?  Go for it!  Is your guy fond of wearing a navy suit with a black collared shirt sans tie?  Feel free!




Festive - you'll probably not see much of this during the summer months because it's usually connected with a specific holiday.  But if you see "festive" on a Fourth of July party invite, a touch or red, white and/or blue in your look won't hurt.




Resort Formal - you're likely to see this at a destination wedding or some other shindig going down outside.  It means dress up but skip heavy fabrics and dark colors.  Your velvet cocktail dress is too much.  Instead think floral chiffon and appropriate shoes for the terrain.  For a beach setting that could mean metallic flat sandals and a pretty pedi!





So now you've got all the info you should need for various dress codes, there's no excuse for showing up at that spring or summer event inappropriately dressed!  If you need any more tips please feel free to drop me a line and I'll respond to your requests.  Enjoy your parties this season everyone!