It’s finally (FINALLY) starting to feel like Spring around these parts. After a long, wintery-winter and an equally wintery “Sprinter” I am so glad to be pulling out the skirts and dresses and lighter jackets! I have love for every season (although Fall is my favorite) Spring runs neck and neck. It feels like the “girliest” season if that makes sense. In any event, every Spring all of the fashion rags trot out stories about “the top 10 hottest Spring trends” or the “ONE trend you must wear this Spring” and if you are a fashion junkie like me you read each feature and soak it all up and try to see what trends match your predictions from the previous fall shows and it’s all very exciting – until you actually have to go shopping. At Forty I have given up chasing trends (not completely of course) that just keep circling back around. There are some classics that EVERY woman should have in her closet by the time she reaches a certain age (post coming soon) and then there are accent pieces that should float in and out of your wardrobe. I say take whatever the ‘it’ color or ‘it’ hemline is for the season and see how it works for you – and if it doesn’t dump it. Do you have a style of skirt that flatters you each and every time? Go with that – just maybe try it in a bolder color or pattern. Are you more comfortable in a lower heel? Fine, try a slim ankle pant to mix things up a bit for work. You don’t have to go crazy trying to be “trendy” at all. [Note: You may need some assistance here so that you can be clear about what flatters you and what just feels comfortable. For instance dark brown dress pants, stirrup leggings of any kind and Franco Sarto shoes rarely flatter any woman – phone a friend if you’re not sure, but commit to pushing yourself!]
This look book features some of my favorite wardrobe pieces re-imagined for Spring. Try shopping in your own closet first. Release your inhibitions and make a pledge to try two articles of clothing together that you have never paired before. Wear a higher heel (or a lower one) – the point is reinvention. Spring is a time for rejuvenation, renewal and rebirth; let your wardrobe be reflection of that and it might just help you start re-imagining some other areas of your life. 🙂
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Pink circle skirt, black and white stripped shirt, denim jacket and scarf
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Pink circle skirt, black and white stripped shirt, denim jacket and scarf
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Pink circle skirt, black and white stripped shirt, denim jacket and scarf
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Pink circle skirt, black and white stripped shirt, denim jacket and scarf
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Turquoise number 2 pencil skirt, yellow sweater, aqua gingham blouse
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Turquoise number 2 pencil skirt, yellow sweater, aqua gingham blouse
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Turquoise number 2 pencil skirt, yellow sweater, aqua gingham blouse
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Turquoise number 2 pencil skirt, yellow sweater, aqua gingham blouse
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Turquoise number 2 pencil skirt, yellow sweater, aqua gingham blouse
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Turquoise number 2 pencil skirt, yellow sweater, aqua gingham blouse
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Turquoise number 2 pencil skirt, yellow sweater, aqua gingham blouse
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Turquoise number 2 pencil skirt, yellow sweater, aqua gingham blouse
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Red and blue houndstooth pants, red and blue blazer, yellow blouse
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Red and blue houndstooth pants, red and blue blazer, yellow blouse
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Red and blue houndstooth pants, red and blue blazer, yellow blouse
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Red and blue houndstooth pants, red and blue blazer, yellow blouse
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[Look 1-4]: Jean Jacket (Gap, old, but THIS is one of those staples. In fact you should have at least two dark denim and lighter denim); Scarf (from Italy – yes, I love saying that. The Gap and Zara both have really affordable and gorgeous scarfs like this.); Top: H&M (I LOVE this one, but refuse to pay $80 bucks for it. These are cute cheap options here and here); Skirt (H&M, this is a great trend this season so there are circle skirts sold like EVERYWHERE. Here are a few of my faves: here and here and if you want to splurge HERE); Shoes (Zara, old, see last weeks post for some cute options)
[Look 5-8]: Sweater (Banana Republic, old, but I really like this one); Blouse (Gap, but Banana also has some cute options); Skirt (J. Crew, old. So, a good deal of my pencil skirts are from J. Crew because they (hands down) have the best quality skirts in the business for this price point. I almost *always* buy them on sale and they are always available in a variety of colors. This is the No. 2 pencil. Great investment. Check them out here.); Shoes (very old, Nine West, last seen worn here); Necklace: Baublebar (old, but they have great affordable stuff, check them out here.)
[Look 6-9]: Sweatshirt (Zara, sold out, try this one); Skirt (Dorothy Perkins, old, but I love this and this); Shoes (Asos, sold out, but white shoes are very on trend this season. Here is a perfect example of something that will float through your wardrobe. Find a cute affordable pair like these or these – have fun and move on!); Sunglasses (again, Italy, vintage from that little store in Rome)
[Look 7 – 10]: Blouse (Banana Republic, old, but they have lovely blouses this season); Jacket (Vintage, similar here); Pants (Gap, old, but there are lots of fun prints available from the Gap (like these and these) and others (like these and these) this season – here’s a place to live outside of your comfort zone a bit and not break the bank. The Gap is ALWAYS having a sale); Shoes (Urban Outfitter, old, similar here)
*40-year old footnote: YES, I have on stockings with some of these looks that might not ordinarily have stockings on. Cute is cute, but I will not be cold. Period. However, feel free to modify as you please.
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