Last September over 100,000 celebrities, designers and fashion buyers attended the Mercedes-Benz Fashion week in New York City to catch a glimpse of the latest collections of top American designers. Never missing a beat, LPS is bringing you our summary of the “hottest of the haute” for Spring 2009.
Comfort wear ruled the runways with loose pants, cardigans and simple tank tops taking casual clothes to the next level of sophistication. Transparent billowy blouses with pencil skirts, and the carefree sensuality of the dressed up jumpsuit prove that the “party dress” is finally more about having a great time than being confined to tradtional. Brightly optimistic fuchsias, blues and lemon tones influenced by a cool stability demonstrates that fashion this Spring is definitely about making a calm, collected and confident statement.
Women are leaving the stresses of 2008 behind and stepping into a new season, with new hope, and certainly a few new pieces to add to the closet.
But perhaps the cold economic situation this winter left your budget for a new Spring wardrobe more frigid than expected? Not to worry: we consulted with fashion stylist D. Gulley, creator and host of the viral talk show “The Discount Trendsetter Show” which airs on You Tube. She uncovers the easiest and most cost effective approaches to transitioning what you already own into this season’s must have looks.
Step One:
Take Inventory!
Do what I like to call “The New Year’s Closet Resolution.” Go through your closet and take inventory of what you have: the good, the bad, the ugly, and all the other stuff in between. All of the items that do not cater to your body or personality – get rid of them!
Step Two:
Get Wrapped Up!
For Spring 2009, everyone should have at least one fitted wrap dress, preferably in solid spring colors like tan, off-white or yellow. Wrap dresses are so transitional and look great on all body types..
Step Three:
Fake it!
I am a stickler for great costume jewelry; accessories are generally cheaper than purchasing a new outfit, and a new necklace just may be the answer to your closet nightmares.
Make your old garments “pop” with a new, inexpensive belt, bracelet or handbag. Colorful accessories are must-have items for Spring 2009. The bigger the better…go bold. But don’t do it all at once!
Balance your accessories – your earrings should never compete with your necklace and your necklace should never argue with your belt. If you’re wearing bold and expressive earrings it’s probably best to go bare or extremely subtle around the neck.
Step Four:
Mix it Up!
Spring is all about having fun. Try something different.
If you only wear sexy heels with suits and dresses, start pairing heels with your denim jeans, knee-length shorts or flirty baby doll dresses. You can pair a dress with a trendy jacket, or layer various colors to create show-stopping looks.
Use what you have to get what you need. Revisit pieces in your closet that you haven’t worn in a while and pair them with something newer or wear them in a different way.
Shy away from “outfits”, by simply navigating away from looks that you typically pair together you can create a wealth of new fashion possibilities.
Crystal Harris is a beauty expert & professional living in Charlotte, NC.
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