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Dear Readers,
As promised, spring has officially arrived. I have the proof. I saw the flowers. Don't know about you, but I was seriously worried there for awhile!
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Polished, Clean and Cool . . . That's my mantra of the moment and the look we want for summer this year. Actually, it's the look we want every year! It's simple, it appears effortless [it's not], and it is perfectly office appropriate for warmer weather. Start with the classic tan and white summer neutrals, add a great scarf or a colorful coral necklace, slip on some snakeskin [faux, of course] slingback kitten heels, and you are ready to roll.
Shown below, we have two strong new trends for spring/summer 2011:
The pleated skirt in a crisp tan neutral [pictured below on the left], a new fuller cut, and a longer length [thankfully], should be flattering for most body shapes. I say most, because if you are a triangle shape [narrow shoulders and wide hips], you may want to skip this trend. It unabashedly emphasizes the lower level, which in turn, minimizes the upper level. The exact opposite of what a triangle wants to do.
This same body shape principle holds true for our next trend, the wide leg pants shown on the right. Triangles beware. However, for those of us who are shaped like upside down triangles, rectangles or circles, this is a GREAT style. I love these pants because they make a body look ten feet tall and they are tremendously comfortable! But a word of caution to everyone about this trend. Be careful about where the pleats are placed. If they are situated right at the waist? Not good. This will ultimately add pounds and heaven knows, we don't want to add pounds at the waist! Instead, look for pants that have a flat front or have stitched down pleats starting at the mid [to low] hip level, like the ones pictured in the photo below. They have a dropped waist effect and are very flattering, don't you think? They also look very classic "Katherine Hepburn", whose 1940's style is now considered iconic.
Beautiful!
 
Skirt and pants to dye for, the photos below not only made me see red, they brought me dangerously close to canceling my Harper's Bazaar subscription. Of course, I understand that one must always allow for differences in personal taste, but, the skirt on the left looks a lot like a beach umbrella [or was it the kitchen dish towels] we had in 1972. And the Fourth of July red-white-blue color motif? Really?
The pants on the right are clearly not a neutral color, and thus do not anchor anything here except perhaps the U.S.S. Look at Me I am So Trendy. I believe that ship has sailed.
 
Oops! Yikes!
It's a real jungle out there, dear readers, and shopping for pants or skirts this season is not going to be easy. But hey. Since when is anything worthwhile ever easy? As my wise friend likes to tell me, "Do hard things. It will keep you young."
Then again, if you would like a little help? Please call me.
I love a challenge and as always, I am at your service.
Best regards,
Nancy
PS. Many of you are talking about attending one of my workshops this summer. Thus far, only four dates have been booked, so there are scads of dates still open and available. Someone in your group of friends needs to step up and get the ball rolling, right? So why not you? Good friends, good fashion, good advice . . . good times! What a great idea!
Summer Workshop Information
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