The life aquatic
Why we love it: Everyone looks better on the water. Glowing skin, wind-swept hair, sun-kissed shoulders, why wouldn’t we all want a little sea spray in our land-locked lives? Not everyone can look as cool in a red beanie as Bill Murray, but that doesn't mean the nautical look won't work for you this spring.
What to look for: Nautical style jackets, bright white, navy, stripes, boat shoes, wide leg pants, crisp short skirts, anything with rope (including the braided rope bracelets sold at Army/Navy stores), anchor and button details
What to avoid: Looking like a cruise ship captain, or worse, cruise director—you want to channel the sea, not dive head-first into the briny deep
We love: This very fleet week top from Fleur in Chapel Hill. Don't let the navy and white horizontal stripes scare you away; paired with wide-leg white linen pants, this Edward An top is just the right balance of boyish and beautiful. Made with just the right amount of stretch to flatter your figure and featuring perfect feminine detail at the cuffs, this is Navy-chic at its best.
Where to find it: Fleur; your local Army/Navy store; The Gap
Destination: anywhere but here
From Capetown chic to Marrakech market to Athenian adventure, this spring fashion’s inspiration is any place but home. Perhaps rebelling against their own streamlined, super-modern, stark and simple clothing of the late ’90s, designers are hitting the other end of the spectrum, and they're hitting it hard, bright and fast. This means returning to the bold prints, vivid colors and exquisite details found in the exotic locales of faded photo albums. From Asian-inspired embroidery to African-style prints to classic Grecian tailoring, spring fashion is designed to make the wearer look like she just came back from a whirlwind trip around the globe.
What to look for: Think beach market. Greek tunic-style tops and dresses, anything with drapes or pleats, luxurious-looking jewelry with lots of gold and bright stones; African-safari animal prints and skins, natural-looking jewelry with shells and wooden beads; Asian prints and fabrics; head scarves; big sunglasses; bags with natural details (bamboo, coral, wood, beads)
What to avoid: Anything that doesn’t jive with your personal style—you don’t want to look out of place or awkward in your exotic apparel—or becoming a walking multi-cultural bazaar. You wouldn’t put sushi and spaghetti on the same plate, would you?
We love: That there’s no need to go head-to-toe tribal. Try this lime green python belt that we found at Loehmann’s to add just enough African safari chic to an outfit to make a statement without feeling like you’re doing a presentation for your social studies class. At $20 this Valentino Couture beauty is not quite village-market price but bargain-basement enough for us.
Where to find it: Loehmann’s on Hillandale road; The Untidy Museum; and, for accessories, check out Duke’s own Lizzie Fortunato-designed pieces at www.lizziefortunatojewels.com
What year is it? 1969?
As fabulous as you feel decked out in your chicest black cigarette pants with your tallest skinny heels, there's something equally fabulous about walking around barefoot in something so worn-in that it feels like next to nothing against your skin. Maybe our parents were onto something with their free love and ripped jeans. Don't all of us have a little hippie child inside? This spring, channel that inner flower-child, pull out onto the road, find your bohemian soul, turn up the Zeppelin and dare to dress down. Slip on billowy tops and dresses cinched with thick leather belts, flat sandals with criss-crossing straps or ankle ties (anything but the traditional flip flop V), and layers upon layers of jewelry only slightly more formal than a chain of daisies—all perfect to embark on a spring and summer filled with peace, love and linen.
What to look for: Flowing tops and dresses; soft colors; distressed clothing (wrinkled, dyed, and ripped); long strands of beads; worn-in leather and suede; big shoulder bags.
What to avoid: Looking like you haven’t showered in a week—even hippies had time to bathe; patchouli; tie-dye or anything else Jerry Garcia-inspired.
We love: This button-down, collared, vintage-print shirt-dress from the Untidy Museum. It comes with its own tie belt, easily replaced with a vintage scarf or heavy belt, or better yet left hanging—wrinkled and free like you just woke up in a field after a four-decade nap.
Where to find it: The Untidy Museum on Broad Street; Abercrombie & Fitch; your local thrift store
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