Listen, I know it’s yucky and blizzardy and your legs are dry and itchy and the snow that never came at Christmas decided to show up with a vengeance, but spring is a-coming. It may be January, but spring is almost already here. Trust me! I have it from a reliable source. Much more reliable than the Weather Channel.
It’s called Joann’s Fabrics.
Oh, so you’ve heard of it? Well, we stopped in there tonight to pick up some fabric for Lola’s sewing project after enjoying a luxurious dinner en famille at Daytona Ale House. (Oh the glamour!). I was a little cranky because deadlines and I’d been out all day and I was done, you know, but then there was Joann’s Fabrics and its magical display of all things spring-y and Easter-y. They had lovely canvas bins in the prettiest florals ever and tiny fairy houses and watering cans and even a sign that said, simply, Spring, to make it official. That’s when I knew for sure.
And, for a moment, between telling Eva she couldn’t have another Beanie Boo and telling Lola she couldn’t buy another fabric remnant, I felt a strange calm come over me. Spring is coming.
(Or, here in Florida, it may already be here, because today’s temps reached the 60s and I felt slightly silly in my cashmere cardigan and heavy winter coat. But hey, it started out freezing and 50-something degrees, so the coat was totally justified.)
Spring is exactly the kind of season that makes me feel like tossing out my entire wardrobe and starting over and wearing only gingham and flowers in my hair and strappy sandals, because, well, spring. But I’m a mom and I’m practical-ish (don’t laugh) and so, instead, I ventured out to find cute trends that go with what we already have and are flattering and fashion-y while still being, well, not silly and not trying too hard and not too, too young. These are the trends you can buy now and wear through spring. And so here, just for you all (and, okay, for me as well) is a cheat sheet to the most important trends of the year. Here, what to wear in 2016 in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.
Trends for All
Spring color is everywhere, and any shade is fair game as long as it flatters your complexion, so if you love one of these shades, go for it! Other universal trends include marled knits, lightweight denim, and bomber jackets.
Milly “Isabella” mini crossbody, $66 (sale), Amazon
Trends by Age
Florals
Florals are always on-trend for spring, but every year sees a fresh crop of colors, prints, and silhouettes. This season, you’ll find painterly florals, graphic florals, and mixed patterns and textures. A small “ditsy” floral reads either very young or very old and is very hard to pull off after 25, unless the cut is very modern, but a bolder floral pattern works for every age group. Dated florals, which often feature bold blooms in a mishmash of colors, are always aging, and while they may work for the very young, they are never my first choice. (See examples below). Besides a “ditsy” print, a too-young floral dress is one with a style, length or other details that make it overly youthful.
Florals for all
These are contemporary enough for a mature-ish 20-something and mature enough for a youthful 60-something. Keep the look sleek and sophisticated with classic accessories in your 60s, while at 25, funky accessories add flair.
Young Florals
The shape and length of these dresses make them young, which is a shame, because I adore the prints and the details.
Old Florals
Stay away from dated florals or those that are too “sweet”. They are instantly aging.
Plaids & Checks
Oversized plaids and exaggerated checks cover everything from dresses to skinnies to scarves. As a rule, the older you are, the more sophisticated the print and style should be, but stay away from overly classic and stuffy styles in this print, which are doubly aging.
Plaid for All
Young Plaid
The oversized plaid, swingy short shape and babydoll style make this a good choice for your 20s and 30s.
Old Plaid
The Plaid Skirt
The plaid skirt is treacherous territory. I’m just going to come out and say it. Here’s why.
If you choose a classic plaid pattern in a classic fabric with a classic A-line or pleated style at a classic below-the-knee or midi length, then you will look like a classic 80-year-old. Unless you’re 25 and tall, and then you can wear anything (But you know that! And I’m just going to love you anyway, because Jesus).
The worst part is that many of these styles are coming out from very hip, contemporary labels or very high end labels (Carven, Marni) so one might be tempted to think these people know what they are doing and buy the skirt anyway. In reality, these brands design for that tall 25 year old. The skirt below, for example, is from super hip contemporary brand Etre Cecile, clearly inspired by a tall 25-year old who also happens to be French.
But take a classic plaid and refashion it in a silky fabric with some swish and some drama, and you have a much more contemporary skirt, though still one best reserved for tall girls. The next two skirts are borderline, because at 35+, they really need to be styled in a contemporary way to avoid looking matronly. Wear these with a classic blouse and chunky shoes or flats, and you will look older. I promise.
A safer bet is a style where 2 or more of the details (cut, print, length, fabric) are updated. Like the following. The first style takes classic plaid and flannel and updates it with a very contemporary style and length:
Stripes
Oh, how I love a snappy stripe in the spring! It’s such a sharp, fresh, clean look and it’s universally flattering. The stripe has an undeserved reputation of packing on pounds, but the only way that horizontal stripes are truly unflattering is when they only cover a part of your body that you are trying to downplay. Worn all over, they are flattering and fun. Besides bold stripes, classic thin stripes and shirting stripes are also on trend for spring.
Stripes for All
Young Stripes
Although the prints are classic, the cut and details of these outfit makes them best suited for women in their 20s and 30s.
Old Stripes
Stripes are generally a safe bet and rarely look frumpy or aging, but as a rule, narrower stripes are more likely to seem more mature than wider stripes. These tops are borderline, but are definitely moving away from a contemporary look.
Florals, stripes, and plaid are all classic patterns that show up most of the year, and I hope that you will find some of these guidelines useful for seasons to come. Which trendy/classic spring pattern is your favorite?
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