Spring has sprung…finally. Never mind the weather forecast that has us back in the fifties later this week. Even at a mild 74 today I’m a tish chilly. I’m admittedly a wimp and find the early morning chill to be dreadful. I’m over it. I want my toes to be warm, especially since one is broken so I’m stuck wearing a boot for a bit.
Retailers’ windows have me drooling for warmer weather. I do love the understated beauty of a sundress and jean jacket, proof that style and comfort are not mutually exclusive. I’m a big fan of wrap dresses and shirt dresses. I much prefer skirts and dresses to pants and jeans. Drawstring linen pants, however, are the exception. I’m taking three pairs to India on an upcoming trip. Crisp, machine washable linen is ever so soft and the closest to wearing pajama pants in public as I’ll get. I have several little jackets I mix and match with dresses and jeans, all pieces too bulky to wear under a winter coat but perfect on their own.
Spring also ushers in footwear I adore – wedges, canvas slip ons, and peep toes. I’m hanging on to ankle booties as long as I can, too. I’ve already swapped out my staid, black leather bag of winter for a jaunty magenta pebbled Kate Spade hobo. My woolen totes are put away high on a shelf, making way for bright pops of color and woven leather. Even the light weight cotton sweaters I don on the bright, crisp days are in plucky shades of yellow and pink. I do adore the burst of color that Persephone brings us each year.
But there are a few things about spring fashion that I just don’t get.
3/4 length sleeves – Am I the only one who finds this style horribly uncomfortable? I feel the need to push the sleeves up or pull them down to be full length.
Capri pants – Perhaps these don’t appeal to me because I’m 5’0 tall and have thighs that touch, hence not in the target market for pants that underscore my oompa loompaness.
Peplum – Let me go ahead and accentuate my small waist and large hips so I look like a vase.
Shift dresses – Sure, they look great on the models who are nine feet tall. See above. ^^
Gauchos/Culottes – Are these rally back in vogue? I wore them in the 70s when I was a kid. I’m going to pass on this trend now that I’m in my forties.
Midriff baring tops – Um, no. My six pack is more of a baker’s dozen. I don’t need that business pooching out over my waistband. I can pinch and inch…and then some.
Overalls – I mistakenly wore these in the nineties. Now I know better.
I’m not even going to comment on the nonsense that the runways tout as fashion. An apron skirt? Puh-leeeze.