Orange Pants? Warming to Spring Fashion

Black is my favorite color. My go-to fashion staple. If I’m feeling adventurous, I might wear gray slacks or maybe something tan.

So last season, I was instinctively drawn to the fashion palette of muted mauves, silvery gray-blues and flesh-toned patent-leather shoes.

But spring has sprung my friends, and Woodbury fashionistas are throwing off fall’s Depression-era frump in favor of bold color!

Gen X-ers and their elders may collectively roll their eyes at these familiar and seemingly recycled 1980s-era trends. The boxy shapes of Flashdance tops and leggings. The Wayfarer sunglasses and skinny jeans (with stretch fabric and increasingly higher waists, thank goodness).

But it’s this season’s bright colors that bowl me over whenever I enter a women’s clothing store!

A friend recently tweeted, “Are we really doing the colored jeans thing?” I scoffed. It can’t possibly catch on. But then I went to dinner with someone sporting hot-pink jeans. So I guess we are really doing this. Well, at least she is. And maybe you are.

I’m not bold enough to try on, much less wear a pair of canary yellow pants. I just stand agog in The Gap wondering… Really?

Supposedly, this year’s top color is Tangerine Tango for everything from toss pillows to accent walls. I do like the color. But I’m not sure I can wear orange pants. And I’m really not sure how I feel about pink and orange together. That’s a thing. Trust me. It may damage your retinas if you stare at it too long.

Why are we doing this? Because we’re tired.

Tired of high unemployment rates. Tired of depressed housing markets. Tired of skyrocketing costs and pinching pennies. We want joy, courage, optimism and color! And one just can’t help but smile when seeing somebody in orange pants!

So I encourage you to participate in this trend because it makes me smile.

As for me, I still can’t picture myself strutting through the grocery aisles in a pair of vermilion jeans. If you can’t either, there are other ways, subtler ways, for us dreary sophisticates to join this fun fray.

Fashion magazine Marie Claire recommends experimenting with a pop of color. This means accessorize! Opt for a single piece in one of this season’s bright hues. A bright pink scarf, an orange beaded bracelet, a sunny yellow handbag, red shoes! (Just not all at once—unless you’re also wearing a lapel flower pin that squirts water and a nose that honks when pinched.)

Still unconvinced? Try dialing the trend all the way down to a few bucks invested in nail color or lipstick. I recently snagged a tube of Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti. But I draw the line at orange eye shadow. Get carried away and you’ll cross over from fun fashionista to obsessive Hunger Games capital fan; going from wanting to feel sunny to believing everything is sunny.

So until the economy truly rebounds, smile and you’ll feel like smiling and do a happy dance in your new orange pants!


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Some more Spring Fashion Trends

So, I'm a fan of dressing in styles that are fun and comfortable for you. I think fashion is what you individually make it and you don't necessarily have to stick to a handbook guide of trends that constantly rotate. However, fashion trends often determine a lot of what is sold in trendy stores and they can be interesting to take on. Let's look at a few of Spring 2012 trends and how to wear them best.

Color Blocking

I've been seeing color blocking all over blogs and runways. It's the trending style where two bold colors are worn together in solid prints. Sometimes a person may where one colored top with a different colored bottom. There may also be different blocks of color on one top or dress. It's a fun style that goes against normal trends that say only one bold color should be worn.

Tribal Prints

Tribal prints are all over pants, dresses, purses and shoes this Spring. Some of my favorites are tribal print harem pants or canvas shoes. This print comes in various colors and usually gives a safari or foreign culture feel.

High Low Dresses Skirts

This is a trend that I've been seeing all over popular and trendy clothing websites. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. The High Low style is usually seen on maxi dresses or skirts. The front of the skirt is short, at or above the knee. The back of the skirt is longer, to the ankle. It's a style that's popular for proms and definitely allows women to show off their legs. As a substitution for this style, I also like sheer skirts that have a slip type of cloth that stops above the knee. It gives a unique feel without being as drastic.

Blue Jean Jackets

This is a clothing piece that I didn't necessarily see on the top trend websites, but I've been seeing them all over campus and the city. You may think blue jackets aren't a big deal, but there was a time when they were really hot in the 90's with the matching blue jean pants. Then, they weren't as popular especially as a complete outfit. Now, they are seen in various shades of lights and darks, often with rolled up sleeves. They will look especially cute with dresses this Spring. One extra tip, thrift stores often have cute and cheap blue jean jackets!

Tangerines

Tangerine is a big color for this Spring, especially with dresses. It's also color that looks nice on basically every shade of skin. So, whether you grab a dress, purse, or pair of earrings with this color, take an opportunity to rock it.

What are some fashion trends you plan or wearing this Spring or have heard about?

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Spring Fashion Trend Guide

Last week on New.Music.Live, Liz talked with fashion guru Gracie Carroll from graciecaroll.com all about summer trends. Gracie broke down three of the biggest trends all inspired by Coachella and other music festivals: Bold and Boho, Preppy Varsity, and Flower Child in the City. Check out the looks below and lucky for you we included where each item of clothing is from, so you can look trendy this summer too!

Brandon:
Varsity Jacket by Obey at Lavish & SqualorOrange Backpack by The Herschel Supply Co. Brand at Lavish & Squalor
Mint shirt by Insight at Lavish & Squalor
Burgundy shorts by Penfield at Lavish & Squalor
“Regan” Shoe by Doc Martens

Caryn:
Beaded Bangles from Lavish & SqualorVintage Brass Cuff at Shoppalu.comDenim Fade Vest by Jool at Lavish & Squalor
Red dress by Diepo at Robber/diepo.ca“Dainty” in Navy by ConverseHat and Sunglasses from White Crow – whitecrowonline.com“Annie Oakley” bucket bag by RootsCharm necklace from In God We Trust (brass heart) at Drake General Store and Philistine (brass square)

Viktoria:
Floral Headpiece by Lara Vincent at Magic PonySunglasses and Top from White Crow – whitecrowonline.comShorts by Jessica Mary Clayton – jessicamaryclayton.comSatchel by Gaya at Sauvage – shopsauvage.comVintage boots – (stylist’s own)

 

Gracie:
Top from White Crow - whitecrowonline.comSkirt from GAPShoes – Aldo Rise x Preen
Ring: YSL

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