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Spring
handbag trends: Is patent leather still going strong
this season? I saw a gorgeous bowling-style bag in a
lovely pastel gray patent (think warm spring gray, not
cold winter gray) with silver hardware. But patent’s
been in for a while now, and I don’t want to spend the
money if it’s starting to play out.
D’Amato:
Patent leather is a trend, but bright pops of color seem
to be bigger this spring than gray, black and the like.
I’ve seen some great day-glo bags from Marc Jacobs,
Fendi and the like. At the real-life end of the price
spectrum, Nine West’s windows these days are full of
neon brights.
Still,
I’d guess that your gray patent bag has more staying
power than anything I’ve just described. So if you like
it, go for it!
I’ve
noticed a lot of cute shoes, bags and dresses in bright
yellow hues popping up everywhere and am craving for a
pair of yellow heels! However, I am not quite sure what
colors would go best with them, and also whether I
should try to tan a bit first before wearing them, as
yellow might not mesh as well with pale skin.
D’Amato:
Yellow is looking like a big trend this spring. To my
mind, it’s more easily worn on accessories than anything
that frames the face. (Those yellow heels you mention,
for example, would look great with dark denim and a
sailor-stripe, long-sleeve tee.) While the hue looks
lovely on olive- or dark-skinned women, on pasty or even
slightly ruddy complexions it can be a disaster. So
bags, shoes—yes. Shirts, dresses—no.
The new
floral “craze” I’m seeing in magazines leaves me
uninspired. I find the possibility of me rocking a
full-length billowy flower-print dress leaving me to
look like nothing more than a matron in a muu-muu.
D’Amato:
Personally, I love spring’s takes because they’re so
unmatronly. The rigidly structured minidresses at
Balenciaga, for example, were the antithesis of mumsy.
And even in the more wearable interpretations (such as
Stella McCartney’s), floral frocks were paired with edgy
platform sandals and other cool-girl accessories. The
result was quite slouchy and cool—not at all Laura
Ashley.
Kelly:
It takes a little attitude to pull off a long floral
flock, yes. But if you pair with edgy accessories it’s
more likely to work for you. If you’re not sure about
it, try a pretty floral print shirt or ignore the trend
entirely.
I have
two black-tie events coming up, in April and in June,
and I would like to buy a dress that would work for
both. I was thinking along of the lines of a very dressy
cocktail dress but wanted to know if there’s any hot
trends or styles to be on the lookout for. Would red be
too much for spring?
Kelly:
Crayola colors such as yellow and electric blue are very
in for spring. Look for dresses from designers like
Nanette Lepore, Tibi and Alice + Olivia for the latest
looks. But more important, find what looks good on you,
no matter what the trends are. If I were going to wear
red, I’d go for a shade with either a lot of pink in it
(maybe more on the magenta side) or something in reddish
orange that will look more springy/summery. |
