After glancing through the latest fashion mags, I stepped into a women's resort wear boutique to chat with the manager about current trends. What I found in the boutique mirrored the editors' comments in this season's fashion magazines - spring is all about color. It's what we need after a long, grey winter.
Colorblocking Styles for Spring 2012
Trends for the upcoming season include lots of color in blocks. These blocks can be seen on handbags, tops, dresses and wedge sandals. I don't know if I'd buy my next pair of wedge sandals in this style, it feels a little transient. But for those who love to wear the freshest look of the season, this is a strong one.
Bright Pops of Color Speak Volumes in Spring 2012
Whether you want to have your 'pop of color' show up in your accessories or in a basic bright jean, this spring trend covers the bases.
There are plenty of ways to place your 'pop'; it could be in a pair of bright pink skinny jeans, in a yellow handbag, green shoes, or in a stack of bracelets that echo the brightest spring blooms.
Structured Handbags
We're seeing a return to structured bags in a variety of colors after plenty of seasons of over-sized slouchy purses and totes ruling the runways. You can find original, vintage Coach purses for sale, the actual 1980s versions, for around $30 on eBay right now. Coach is also selling similar, structured bags for up to $200 for a brand new version of the originals.
Dooney & Bourke is showing mini satchel handbags in red and yellow Florentine leather on eBay for less than $300. These little bags are a great way to scale down, enjoy some fresh colors and get a leather bag with lots of organization.
Wedges With Colorblocking
Sandals can be found in just about any color, but notice the contrasting blocks of color on wedges for spring. This season's footwear debut in colorblocking puts a spin on basics like this adorable wedge sandal at Mod Cloth in navy, turquoise and a dash of pink.
Wedges are always popular because of their solid, comfortable footing and summery good looks. They go well with cropped jeans, shorts, dresses and skinny pants. The fresh colorblocking look of the newest wedges makes them one of the hottest sandal statements of 2012.
Spring Jewelry in Blues and Greens
Some colors can take you all the way from summer to winter, like basic ivory, grey, black or navy. When spring arrives, fashion's attitude goes from smart and classy to whimsical in one fell swoop.
Since fashion reflects spring's bright burst of colors, keep your eye on the standouts. Blue and green are everywhere right now; from turquoise and lapis jewelry to navy blue bejeweled sandals, brightly beaded teal ballet flats and small clutch handbags with indigo and azure clasps.
I fell in love with the work of the artist, Reagan Mccune, at LoveCrazy Designs which can be seen at her Etsy store and in the photo above (photo used here with permission from Reagan Mccune). Her work is inventive, rich in textures and oh! the blues and greens!
I see the colors of the ocean and green fields everywhere right now, and really, what helps us de-stress and get in touch with our best selves better than mother nature's clean color palette in bloom?
Vicki F. Chavis - Growing up in Asia, Europe and North America left Vicki with a love of cuisine, history, language, fashion and travel. Today she writes on ...
Join the Conversation