New Beginnings: Spring Fashion

Freshen up your style with color and added pizazz

BY MEGAN SIMONS

First seen on runways around the world, the long awaited and exciting Spring/ Summer Fashion is fi nally here. Stylists are off ering us collections that are the perfect combination of wearable and modern. It is the time of the year when you look into your closet and feel that it is time for a shopping spree to start refreshing your wardrobe for the season.

We are fortunate to live when fashionable versatility allows the consumer to look the best we ever have, without following faithfully just one global trend. A picture can say a thousand words, but a stylish appearance could probably write a whole novel. The choice is ours, and we should take advantage of what the market off ers, which is worth every penny.

The Pantone color for this season is classic blue, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg of trendy colors. Blue is the essential color for nearly everyone. Doesn’t everybody own a pair or two of blue jeans, but how do you make it your own unique look?

Embellishment is one way to do it. Look fabulous in a simple pair of light blue cropped jeans with elegant pearls decorating the bottom. High-waisted pants are the way to go if you’re seeking to slim your waist. Soft shades in animal print top will be ultra-stylish addition, and a contemporary pearl necklace stands out as a perfect way to complete the look.

Animal prints are here to stay, did I say that before? I believe so. The Spring/ Summer selection of animal inspired prints has widened and softened the shades in pinks, blues, and a variety of natural tones. To brighten up a leopard dress just add color -- bright crystals on your necklace will make a beautiful combination.

Refuse to blend with the crowd! On your Spring shopping spree you won’t be able to ignore dazzling, luminous shades that make the day happy and cheerful just because you are wearing them. Yellow and orange are the colors of the sun, and many vivid variations can brighten any mood.

Monochromatic dress in eyecatching chartreuse is a perfect opportunity to accentuate your fi gure and the garment’s details. It also is a fabulous canvas to showcase trendy jewelry. If your preference is in a safer shade, you can add the highlighter-inspired color to a design on your casual pants.

Shades of bright coral in a fl irty, feminine dress will have quite a diff erent impact when paired with light green and grey, bold jewelry. Additionally, keep in mind that red is not just the color for dates, it is a color for the independent, strong woman who knows who she is.

Let’s not overlook the lightest color for the season, the color of snow, milk, chalk, the opposite to black – white. Opt for white jeans, white blouses or tanks, a timeless, elegant white dress is a must in your closet, and not only for the white parties. Adding color to white is easy and daytime appropriate, adding gold will take you right into warm Summer nights with style.

Megan Simons is owner of Pippa Pelure, a fi ne fashion boutique in downtown St. Petersburg. Contact her at pippapelure@ tampabay.rr.com.

Photography: Mark Anthony Smith

Fashion from Pippa Pelure

Stylist: Megan Simons

Hair & Makeup: Prolific Quarterly

Models: Laurel Mona, Katherine Ruetz, Montana Manilla, Carina Pelivan, DeLisa Silva, Ro Martinez Rimes, Tigist Alebachew