The Pre-Spring Itch – It’s Time To Warm Up Your Wardrobe

By Brian Maynor

 

 

February is winding down, which means many of us are feeling the pre-spring itch. With Mardi Gras over, Lent starting and award season wrapping up it’s time to start saying farewell to winter.

Spring may still be weeks away, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start embracing some of its elements and working them into our looks. Here are a few trends and suggestions on wearing them now and later:

 

1.    A staple for spring and summer and J. Crew stores everywhere, this year we will see gingham reinterpreted. Classically small checks of color and white, look for them in larger proportions, various color combos, and in all forms from suits to shorts, dresses and coats.

2.    Always a fun, playful color this season’s shade of yellow is also warm, relaxed and easy. Often mixed into a print or regulated to a supporting color, this year yellow takes the spotlight. One of the season’s prominent colors, look for it to dominate prints as well as pop up in solid blocks of color.

3.    Everyone who’s tired of the skinny jean craze can rejoice and breathe easier, because this season we will see looser cuts as well as cropped jeans and double denim outfits. Another trend you should embrace is elevating the quality of your denim. It was created as a durable fabric to withstand regular wear and tear, but when you opt for discounted versions you miss out on that quality all together.

4.    Floral prints. A classic spring trend, expect to see floral prints in all shapes and sizes this spring. From applique and embroidery to bold colors and tonal variations there is no wrong way to wear this print. Shirts, pants, dresses, blazers and sweaters will all be decked in flowers this season so you are sure to find a motif that’s perfect for you.

5.    Colorful combos. You can’t think of spring without picturing color. It is the hallmark of the season. This year’s palettes highlight cool, soft colors that still carry a warm undertone. They mix perfectly with lighter pastels, but also hold their own with darker neutrals. Nature is the ideal source of inspiration when looking to break outside the normal color pairings.

 

Mother Nature may still have a few tricks up her sleeve and winter weather mixes in store, but that doesn’t mean we can’t long for warmer weather and start planning the new pieces we’ll pick up along the way.

 

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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