FASHION YOURSELF FOR SPRING
Color
WHY WE LOVE IT
Forget any shade that is dusty or muted. Spring is all about the-bolder-the-better brights. But what really sets these colors aglow are the unexpected combinations: pink, orange, and deep purple; turquoise and taxi cab yellow; lime and emerald green. It’s this palette of knockout hues that creates such a range of riveting contrasts.
HOW TO WEAR IT
The easiest way is to go tonal, like the combinations at MaxMara, Louis Vuitton and Diane von Furstenberg. Or spin the color wheel and work with opposites: two is swell, three is better—and make sure the shade closest to your face is flattering. Keep bags and shoes neutral, your lips either bare or brilliant, and hair minimal. It all adds up to a very colorful new you.
Photos: (left to right) MaxMara, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Prabal Gurung
Lace
WHY WE LOVE IT
HOW TO WEAR IT
While a diaphanous Chantilly gown is still as lush as satin sheets, keep the seductiveness in check. A drapey T, tablecloth mini, or peekaboo ballet flats give day wear a fresh, graceful edge. Avoid color. Black, white or nude looks richer and more alluring. Whether natural or brushed on, the only color to grace your face should be a faint blush.
Photos: (left to right) Alberta Ferretti, Donna Karan, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta
White
WHY WE LOVE IT
Designers had such a passion for purity that many began their runway shows with outfits that looked crafted from clouds. Dolce & Gabbana used white almost exclusively, concluding their presentation with a striking lingerie-clad army of models. No matter the silhouette—peasant blouse, Edwardian cutaway, classic blazer, or minimalist gown—white was a fresh choice.
HOW TO WEAR IT
Seek out a look that works for your lifestyle. If you want to avoid the austerity of this pristine shade, vary textures by combining chiffon with poplin or layering lace over cotton. Go all out with white accessories too, but keep them sleek. The wrong ivory shoe can come off as heavy and graceless. Or slip your toes into a chic metallic sandal!
Photos: (left to right) Fendi, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein Collection, Chloe
Modern Metallics
WHY WE LOVE THEM
Not meant for nightclubs or superheroes, spring’s silvery looks are the flamboyant equivalent of go-everywhere denim. The key to the color’s deft repositioning is a draped, unstructured weightlessness that makes the shine as effortless to step out in as a smile.
HOW TO WEAR IT
Silver can look edgy—or even severe—in a structured silhouette, so stick to loose or sweatshirt-easy cuts. Pair with clean-lined casual pieces, as you would if you were slicking up denim. Steer clear of color, except for white or neutrals. No big deal hair; a hint of sparkle to the eye. For shoes, we suggest going silver—no gold allowed, except wedding bands.
Photos: (left to right) Rag & Bone, Dries Van Noten, Christian Cota, Burberry Prorsum
Florals
WHY WE LOVE THEM
You can pick your own bouquet from two gorgeous gardens. The first is floridly romantic, blossoming in profusion on crêpe de chine, silk satin and gazar—an impressionistic view of the English countryside. The other is deeply rooted in the aestheticism of the east. Like an ebony lacquered screen inlaid with mother-of-pearl, its dark background frames stylized prints of oversize blooms.
HOW TO WEAR IT
Whether they’re pretty pastels or intense brights, florals don’t need a lot of accessories. Floppy hats, lightweight cardigans, and open-toe shoes enhance the mood of floaty garden party dresses, while vivid patterns resonate in more structured silhouettes. Your shoe should either vanish or hijack a deep color. Lips must do the same. And skip colored gemstones, which distract the eye from the dazzling jewel tones.
Photos: (left to right) Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Louis Vuitton, Luisa Beccaria
