As we weather this month’s proverbial showers in anticipation of May’s promised flowers, our thoughts turn to the beautiful looks that are blooming in spring and summer fashion.
Katy Hamilton of Shopgirls (6245 Brookside Plaza) says this is the year for vintage-inspired shapes, colors and prints. “The silhouettes this season are a montage of good, clean fits alongside loose, dramatic, billowing cuts,” she says. “I describe it as a marriage of styles influenced by the early ’30s and late ’70s.”
Calling this a “great, harmonious contradiction,” Hamilton says we’ll see edgy yet soft, glamorous looks pairing with “ultra feminine” pieces. And when it comes to colors, this boutique owner predicts earthy, muted tones mixed with indigenous-inspired prints and graphics.
With the combination of both muted and bright colors working together in bold prints, accessorizing might be difficult for some. Just stay in tune with the earthy style pervading garments, Hamilton advises. “Jewelry is being influenced heavily by found objects in nature, including leaves, feathers, natural stones and uncut gems,” she says.
At The Garment District Boutique (1350 Main St.), Randall Schneck is also anticipating a heavy focus on 1970s influence. He agrees that color will play a large part in this trend. “Think muted yet bold colors: dusty olive, faint mustards, muted lavendar, French blue, taupe, rust—even mauve,” Schneck says. These hues have already appeared in menswear plaids and in “gorgeous and bold floral patterns that suggest movement,” Schneck points out. “Picture traditional Pucci, soften it, and let the pattern dance across your clothing.”
While there aren’t any official rules for pairing muted colors with bold patterns, Schneck does warn that black doesn’t have a place as a staple in the spring color palette. “Men and women should invest in great brown, mocha, peanut butter and sandal leather hues for shoes, handbags and accessories,” he says. “[These will] truly ground the outfit.” Both Schneck and Hamilton agree that metallic hues will also be important in women’s footwear this season.
But not everything in your spring and summer wardrobe needs to be muted, says Lisa Boal of Frankie & Jules (15495 Quivira Road, Overland Park). “Minimal whites and bright floral colors seem to be one of the biggest trends for spring,” she notes, recommending fitted tops paired with wide-leg pants to balance the brighter palette.
When accessorizing with such bold patterns and colors, it’s best to keep the jewelry and accessories minimal. “Silver hoops and bangles” work, Boal says, but “let the clothes shine.”
If you’re not quite ready for metallic footwear, opt for nude instead. “Not only does the color elongate the leg to make you look taller and thinner; it goes with everything,” she notes.
