HOT NEW LOOKS AS TEMPERATURES RISE
Those boots may have been for walking, but now they're for storing. You're not dreaming; spring has sprung. Time to work on your fair-weather wardrobe. We checked in with three of the area's most trend-setting establishments for a rundown of must-haves and the wish-we-still-hads.
BASICS TRAINING
No matter your age, no matter your "era," you wore jeans - and likely still do. But denim is picking up steam in fashions beyond the simple Levis. "The denim trend just keeps building," says David Fehnel, owner of Thirteen Vintage in New Hope, pointing to the denim hats, shirts, blazers and shoes in his store. Linda LaRosa Bidlo, owner of Shop 65 in Doylestown, echoes his sentiment. "We're seeing a lot of denim jackets, ripped denim jeans and jean leggings or ‘jeggings,'" she says.
Military-inspired clothing is a recent addition to the racks at Shop 65. "We have a lot of cargo pants, vests and jackets," says Bidlo. Camouflage styles are also popular at Thirteen Vintage, where Fehnel says the martial influence is often softened by the pairing of feminine details. "We're seeing things like camouflage tops with lace," he notes. "I think women are really starting to embrace lace. It's everywhere."
Designers are also weaving ethnic and tribal prints into this season's styles. "There's a lot of safari-inspired and Native American-inspired prints," says Bidlo. That trend in particular seems to account for most of the vibrant details and colors emerging this spring. "It's a look where they took a traditional print, distorted it and it took on an ethnic, tribal feel," says Fehnel.
Even the go-to ensemble for the casual fashionista, the jeans-and-tee combo, is getting a bit of a makeover. "We're seeing blazers worn with a plain tee underneath," says Kristin Aloan, manager of Something Else in Doylestown. "It's a business-casual look. And worn with heels, it can go from day to night."
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN
When we bade the 80s adieu, we said good-bye to the likes of Huey Lewis and Max Headroom, but not to the fashions that defined that decade. Once again, 80s-inspired styles are back in vogue. "History is repeating itself, but certain designers are smart enough to make it appear modern," explains Fehnel. In particular, early Madonna-esque midriff-baring crop tops, once only meant for the daring and impeccably toned, are returning with a bit of a twist. "You need to layer these crop tops," Fehnel adds. "They give you different sorts of proportions."
Aloan notes the resurging popularity of another retro relic: neon. From the nearly glowing greens to the traffic-stopping oranges, these seemingly forgotten hues instantly add a blast of color to even the simplest outfits. "Those are very 80s," she says.
As for footwear, designers have reached even further back into fashion history. "The 70s wooden clog is definitely the shoe of the season," says Fehnel, adding that even his store is still on the waiting list for the in-demand shoe.
FOR EVERY CLOSET
Seasonal blooms traditionally mark the return of florals to fashion, and 2010 is proving to be no different. "Floral prints are still strong, whether exaggerated or simple," says Fehnel. Soft, delicate colors add to the classic springtime appeal. "Blush, sand and taupe are popular," he continues. "They're neutral and softer than pastels.
A fine finish for all? Jewelry designs are continuing on their increasingly stylized and intricate path, says Fehnel. "We have chain-link fringe necklaces, mixed metals and multiple chains that make it look like you have several necklaces on," he says. "There are also bib necklaces made with different flowers, lace and crochet. They're kind of a bolder statement piece."
Go online at: shopsixtyfive.com
thirteenvintage.com