Fashion Worthy

Spring Forecast

The Return of Feminine Fashion

By Holly Bell

It’s time to crawl out of those sweatpants and get back to feeling pretty! After this long gloomy spell, we’re feeling renewed by the arrival of spring and hopeful about the future. Let’s focus our energy on getting back into the swing of things. There are plenty of exciting new trends this year to inspire a seasonal wardrobe refresh.

I’ll bet it’s been a while since you’ve donned a skirt or dress without leggings or tights. Spring is the time when we welcome those cool breezes and the blessing of feeling feminine. If you love a quick, one-and-done outfit, a dress is the perfect answer. All lengths are on trend this year. In fact, we’re no longer letting fashion dictate what lengths are in or out—we wear what looks good on us and what makes us feel comfortable. One of my favorite dress trends is the simple, body-skimming, long t-shirt dress. Whether in stripes, patterns, or the solid spring tones of marigold and sky blue, this look is a winner for spring and summer 2021. We are all loath to give up the luxury of feeling comfortable in our clothing, even as we start spending more time outside our homes. This dress looks great and offers maximum comfort, perfect for vacation, the office, shopping trips, girls’ lunches, weekend fun, and dates! Add a trendy belt and fun jewelry or change your look by switching from white tennis shoes to sandals. This is the dress you will want in several colors and patterns this year. Floral prints are always glorious in summer dresses. Soft, floaty fabrics cut to move with summer breezes are refreshing to see and wear. White seems to be the predominant choice for many designers, looking so fresh and stylish. A white background blooming with florals of all sizes makes us dream of summer! Details are important, too. The cold shoulder is back again for summer, along with other innovative cutouts. Ruffles are fun, but wear them with caution. A few ruffles are trendy; too many may end up looking overly cute.

Sleeves are the focal point in many dresses. Puffy, trumpet, flared, cutout—all are on trend in this year’s frocks. I love the look of an ultra-feminine dress topped with a tailored jean jacket or, in cooler temps, a leather moto jacket. The juxtaposition of hard and soft is striking and works for women of all shapes and sizes.

Skirts are another alternative for cool spring dressing. The skirt of the moment is the flared midi skirt. Chic lengths vary from a little below the knee to almost to the floor, and you can choose whichever midi length works best for you. The highlow hem is also on trend, along with some interesting wrap styles. Tiered skirts and softly pleated styles are also fun this year.

During cooler weather, skirts are shown worn with booties or even ankle boots. As the weather warms, these skirts look great with tennis shoes and sandals— platforms or flats, depending on your comfort level. Most skirt styles have stretch waistbands, which we love. We’re done with having anything tight around us!

Many people shy away from skirts because they don’t know what to put on top. The best advice is to keep it simple. A plain white tee looks modern and works with absolutely anything. Of course, having a variety of colorful tees is fun to work with, also.

To top off our skirts and t-shirts, a few cardigans are called for. The key is to contrast lengths from top to bottom. With a longer length skirt, a cropped cardigan looks best. With a shorter skirt, a longer cardigan works. You must adjust proportions, too. With a fuller skirt, a more fitted cardigan is called for, while a straighter skirt can balance a more generous fit on top. As always, working with opposites creates a pleasing balance and silhouette.

As you put your spring wardrobe together, don’t forget about accessories. The number-one accessory this year is—again!—the mask. This is going to be around for a while! I love coordinating masks with outfits and adding chains or pearl lanyards. If you are creative, you can get crafty and make your own mask or embellish one you purchased with jewelry, bows, or sew-on decals. If we must wear them, we may as well have some fun with it!

Spring is finally here after a winter that long overstayed its welcome. Along with blue skies and pink posies come hope, love, and optimism for a wonderful year full of joy and exuberance. Let your wardrobe this spring reflect your hope for the future!