We're in the mood for spring, and with the warmer days comes spring fashion -- both new clothes and old favorites.
Now all you need are some style clothing tips for warmer-weather dressing. And here are our top five must-haves.
Some items you may already own; others are popular enough you should have no trouble finding them at stores or online, if you are so inclined.
Not all the season's trends are included here -- short-shorts, bold prints, ripped jeans, to name a few.
Still, these are pieces that look fresh, will take you far and are simply fun to wear.
The Top 5:
1. Bold bracelets. Our eyes were glued not only to the gowns on the Red Carpet at Sunday's Academy Awards but also the action at the actresses' wrists. Many wore bold bracelets. You can, too (maybe not as pricey).
Go for a wide cuff or pile on several bracelets for a new look this spring. They come in all price ranges.
2. Trench coats. The trench has become such a spring staple through the years that you may already own one. If not, consider it.
This season's trenches include an impressive selection in white, cream, black, sage green or even denimlike blue. You may even come across some animal prints.
Talbots' trench meets the knee and stands out in a pretty shade called Gypsy Rose -- as well as shades of Clay, Viridian Green or Blue Stone.
Above-the-knee -- and even shorter -- is a popular length (especially when paired with a dress or skirt with similar hemline). Look, too, for trenches that are cropped and therefore called "trench jackets." Materials are interesting, too. Some are crinkly; others have sheen. Other variations of the classic trench are really quite something. LOFT offers a black zipper-front trench with sleeves that can be rolled to three-quarter length and secured with bows. It also has several trenches with ruffled collars. 3. Rolled-up/cuffed pants. While this look is popular in the juniors' department, it can work for adult women as well. Talbots offers a slim-leg cuffed denim capri, for example. And Ann Taylor shows a capri fashioned from soft tencel fabric in a color called light ground pepper. These are cuffed with a twist detail at the hem and are paired with peep-toe pumps, an open-front textured jacket and a sleeveless top trimmed with chiffon florettes (check it out at www.anntaylor.com). Very sophisticated. Very spring. 4. Fashion sneakers. Whether they're a solid bright or a muted plaid, a cute pair of fashion sneakers will make you feel like hop, skip and jumping right into spring. OK, that sounds silly -- but a pair of lemon yellow canvas sneaks is hardly serious. Perhaps every driver of a yellow Volkswagen Beetle should be required to wear a pair.
Converse, Ed Hardy, Tretorn, Rocket Dog, Keds and so many others offer fun styles for spring-ready feet. Picture a pair of turquoise sneakers with white shorts, or plaid ones with cropped jeans. You'll find them at Famous Footwear, Macy's, Sears, Target, DSW and just about any other shoe department or shoe store on the planet. The idea is to have some fun -- but not necessarily match them to your car. 5. Embellished tank. This is the year for it. Ruffles and floral details abound in fashion this season, and many appear in various degrees on tanks, camis or tees. Some flower embellishments mimic necklaces, which will make accessorizing one less thing to think about in the morning. These embellished tops add a feminine touch to just about any outfit, and they look great under basic pieces such as cardigans and jackets. Some are accented with flowers and ruffles; other tanks are subtly sequined, tiered or trimmed with lace. Go for it.
