Slimming Ways To Wear Spring Fashion
New this season: Vibrant colors, sporty outfits, tribal prints, palazzo pants.
Okay ladies, time to give our closets a boost. And nothing does this better than mixing in a few seasonal trends with your own style favorites. The trick is to wear pieces together in a comfortable, slimming way.
There is something this season for everyone’s mood and style. Exaggerated shapes that celebrate our femininity, sportive fashion inspired by active wear, and vibrant colors, patterns, and artisanal influence of tribal cultures all dominated the spring runway.
SPRING COLORS
Add a splash of yellow (considered the new neutral this season) or choose from a garden variety of pinks to brighten up your basics. Wear colors near your face that flatter; avoid looking like an aging fashion victim by relegating anything in neon to your daughter’s closet.
A clutch is the seriously feminine must-have party accessory this season. For those of you who require a tote to schlep your life, put the clutch in your bag to pull out when you leave the office for a dinner date. Yellow raffia Gigi Flower Clutch by mar Y sol, $70 at Bloomingdale’s.
SLIMMING TIP Like nude colored shoes, yellow footwear creates the illusion of an elongated leg. Yellow Openmoc flats, $89 at Nine West.
SLIMMING TIP When tying a scarf around your neck, hang one side longer than the other for an asymmetrical, vertical line. Pink Willow Shibori Scarf by Shinzo Kimura, $98 at MOMA.
SLIMMING TIP A neutral monochromatic base is always elegant and slimming. It also makes it easy to add color and pattern. But the season’s strategic use of color blocks can be flattering. Elie Tahari Chiles Cotton Color Block Poplin Dress, $398 at Bloomingdale’s.
TRIBAL CHIC
Breezy caftans, animal prints and tribal patterns, beading details and handcrafted jewelry made from sustainable materials are a mark of spring style.
SLIMMING TIP Never hide in baggy clothes or you will look larger than you are. Pair a full top with narrow pants or flowing pants with a fitted or belted top. Silk tunic worked in a swirling pebble print reminiscent of Aboriginal paintings, Lafayette 148 New York, Selene Pebble Print Tunic, $448 at Bloomingdale’s.
SLIMMING TIP Many of us gave up belts when our middle started to expand, but a belt strategically placed so it sits at the rear part of our waist and gently slopes downward to just below the front of our waist creates an elongated slimming line. Organic Meleah Belt, $79 at Chico’s.
Bright summer colors are woven into this oversized Theodora & Callum Sedona Scarf in rayon viscose/linen, $175 at Bloomingdale’s.
SLIMMING TIP Tie the two tips of fabric on short sides making armholes. Slip arms through so fabric covers shoulders and upper arm and drapes down your back. For more definition, place the scarf around your neck so both ends drape over your shoulders. Place so one end hangs longer than the other. Pull the longer end diagonally across your chest and tuck through a belt. (For more ideas, see Hermès knotting cards)
SLIMMING TIP Wrist length sleeves that fall in line with the length of the top you are wearing will accentuate a horizontal line across your hips, which can broaden your appearance. Push up sleeves to break that line and also to expose the thinnest part of your arm.
Don’t hesitate to pile on an assemblage of bracelets for dramatic style. Silver Trim Horn Cuff, and Horn Cuff, each $48 at C. Wonder.
SLIMMING TIP Wear long necklaces to create a vertical line, which elongates your overall look. Pile several of them on for an interesting mix of textures. Resin Link Necklace, $78 at C. Wonder.
The vivid Ikat-print embellishes the comfortable 2½ inch rope-wrapped wedge platform espadrille by Bettye Muller, $230 at Neiman Marcus.
SPORTIF
Athletic inspired fashion in stretchy sport fabrics, zipper details, and energetic colors never compromising the feminine mystique.
The dress has center stage this spring. This red one is worked in a sporty fabric with stretch for comfort. Zipper and snap pockets are a handy detail. Zenergy Neema Daphne Dress, $99 at Chico’s.
SLIMMING TIP V-necks elongate your look. The deeper the V, the thinner you will look. Also turn up the collar to extend the vertical line and frame your face with color.
Cozy sweatshirt fabric trimmed in leather is a winning combination for casual comfortable style. Billed as a sweatshirt dress, it can easily be worn over leggings. Lacoste Sweatshirt Dress, $185.
Walking the dog? Running to the gym? This season, there is no excuse not to look your everyday best. Stylized nylon shell lined in cotton with roll tab sleeves and a collar that gracefully expands like a flower in bloom to frame the face. Zenergy Ansley Jacket, $119 at Chico’s.
FEMININE ALLURE
Glamorous style gestures add to the enchantment of a woman’s charm.
Large dazzling earrings add pizzazz to whatever else you’re wearing—day or night, while also bringing attention and a flattering light to your face. MICHAEL Michael Kors Turquoise Earring, $95 at Bloomingdale’s.
I am giddy about peplums. They’re coquettish, create the illusion of a waist, and detract from our middle. Tapioca and navy, cotton and silk dress by MARC by Marc Jacobs, Marfa Peplum Dress, $598 at Bergdorf Goodman.
SLIMMING TIP Palazzo pants are elegant and ageless. They skim hips and thighs, which make them a flattering choice for women who carry their weight there. Avoid looking overwhelmed with fabric by countering the flowing leg with a fitted or belted top for definition. For women who are short, wear the season’s wedge sandal for added height. Floral Wide-legged Pants by Alice+Olivia, $297 at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Kim Johnson Gross is the author of What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life and co-creator of the Chic Simple book series. She was Fashion Editor at Town & Country, Style Director at Avenue, Fashion Director at Esquire, and columnist for InStyle and More magazines.
