It’s finally time to put away the heavy coats and boots, switch to light-weight scarves and jackets and think about pulling those sandals out! That’s right, it’s springtime and along with greener grass and flowers blooming, that means it’s time for some spring shopping. We all want to refresh and renew our look in the spring after we’ve dealt with months of cold and slush and drab weather. We have so many options locally when it comes to shopping, so choosing where to shop can be a little overwhelming (in a fun way)! Remember, fashion is not just about clothes and shoes, it’s also about accessories, your hair style and more! If you’re ready to consider some new looks for spring, read on for some ideas!
Shop Local!
Shopping at locally owned boutiques is a great way to not only support your local economy and local business owners, but it’s also a fun way to shop for unique items and work with those who are committed to customer service (often the owner of the boutique herself!). Boutique owners and managers make a point of staying on top of new fashion trends and can guide you to the perfect look for you!
Cherie Travis with Rachel’s Boutique says, “Bright citrus colors in clothing and accessories are in for this spring, as well as gold tone jewelry, fun scarves and open weave sweater tops. Incorporating these new trends is easy. In the workplace, you can add a bright colored tee, shirt or scarf to any suit and it will take you from one season to the next. Add a knit cardigan in place of a blazer to give a softer but still business look. Another way to give your blazer an updated look is to pair it with a bright colored pant or sheath dress. Also, jewelry and accessories are one of the best ways to change up any outfit. Don’t forget to finish it off with a wedge sandal or pump!”
Casual looks are also benefitting from the new trends. “Pull out your denim jacket or shirt and pair it with a bright colored jean or capri,” Cherie suggests. “You can also take a colored bottom and add a new black and white knit jacket or sweater.”
The look C
herie is most excited about for spring is jewelry! “We have a whole collection of Brighton jewelry coming in gold tones,” she says. “And we just received a shipment of open weave tops. Our racks are full and ready for spring!”
Shopping local is important for the men, too! Many men think they need to hit the big cities or the internet to find the brands and styles they want, but Lincoln has many top notch locally owned men’s stores such as Gary Michaels Clothiers. Gary Novotny of Gary Michaels says, “The menswear industry is becoming no different than the women’s business. It is all about fashion, color and excitement. Men now have a desire to look more updated than just buying boring clothes like a khaki pair of slacks and a white polo shirt. This spring will introduce colors in sportswear such as mango, magenta, sapphire, citron, aster, ivy and tangerine to name a few. From the office to the golf course, you will see more color than before. Sport shirts will be bright and dress trousers will have a pattern or some surface interest to them. The clothing will also become more seasonal with fabrics in cotton, linen, flax and tencel, lightweight and comfortable. Lastly, it’s okay to have the shirts and slacks have that wrinkled appearance in sportswear, it’s all part of the look for spring and summer.”
Consider Resale Shops
Almost everyone want
s to stretch their budgets these days, but don’t think that means you can’t still do some spring shopping! One great idea to consider is resale shops. These shops that sell used items are a lot trendier than you are probably imagining and have some great buys on clothes, accessories and more. Diana Weiser at Crazy 4 Consignment explains, “We accept beautiful spring name brand ladies fashion and get new items in daily! We also have Vera Bradley bags and purses, Thomas Kinkaid artwork, Irvin Dixon pottery and much much more.”
New clothes are also arriving daily at Cause for Paws. Jane Powell says, “We are getting lots of spring items in, such as tops, skirts, dress slacks, jackets, dresses, jeans, shoes, scarves and jewelry for juniors and women sizes xs-4x.”
Sarah Gauger with OMT! adds, “Of course we’re flooding the racks with new spring consignments but we’re received lots of new inventory as well. Lightweight infinity scarves and jelly bean color silicon coin purses are a few of my faves.”
Owners of resale shops are also seeing many fashion trends and are able to help their customers put together looks. “The mod style and peplum look is back with the bright and vibrant colors,” points out Diana Weiser. “I also have high hopes that the palazzo pants will have a great comeback!”
Jane Powell adds, “This spring we are seeing a lot of prints and patterns on clothing, which is great because everyone has plain pieces in their closets that a patterned or print piece will complement. This spring we purchased some great scarves at market that have jewels or pendants attached to the scarves and it is a real easy piece to put on and an easy piece to add to any outfit. They just take the look of scarves to the next level!”
“I’m excited to see the return of pastel colors to the spring pallet,” says Sarah Gauger. “Hues like mint, peach and shell pink will be everywhere! My one favorite spring piece is a vintage Ralph Lauren chambray blouse that is so soft and comfortable. I plan on throwing it on over everything!”
Taking resale clothes from the office to a casual setting is easy as well. “Spring is all about color,” Sarah Gauger explains. “In a more formal workplace, use color as an accent. In a casual setting, add an infinity scarf and fun bracelets.”
Jane Powell suggests, “We have a lot of versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down depending on your workplace and can be added into your existing wardrobe. You can make an appointment with us or stop in and we can help you add to an existing piece or wardrobe or can set you up with some new pieces that can be mixed and matched for the formal or casual workplace.”
One of the great things about resale shops is that not only can you get some great bargains on high fashion, but you can also take in clothing or accessories you don’t wear and either get cash or credit at the shop. This is perfect for that jacket you bought last year but never wore, that awesome pair of pants that doesn’t fit quite right or anything else that you either purchased and never wore (and couldn’t return) or wore for a season and are ready to replace with something new.
Resale shops are especially good for teens clothing as they are always wanting something new and may grow out of clothing from one year to the next. It’s a great incentive to tell you teenage daughter that she can have more new clothes for the next school year if she agrees to go through her closet and come up with a box of clothes you can take to a resale shop to sell or get credit for.
Accessorize
Accessories make the outfit, we all know that. But they can also CHANGE the outfit, stretching your wardrobe dollars. For example, a simple black dress could be dressed up with fancy jewelry, a sparkly scarf and heels or be made casual with chunky boots and tights, a cotton scarf and some funky earrings. Buying a few quality pieces, such as a nice pair of pants or capris, a pair of jeans you feel great in, a few dresses and some basic tops and then putting together different looks with shoes, jewelry, scarves and belts is an awesome way to move into the new season with a whole new look for not much money! Most accessories are relatively inexpensive and you can get a number of bracelets, earrings, scarves and necklaces for the price of one outfit.
Don’t Forget the Jewelry
Many boutiques offer fun jewelry options to wear with spring outfits, but it’s also a good idea to visit a store that specializes in jewelry as well to find some pieces that will pull your outfits together. Jenny Thomas with AT Thomas says, “We are seeing spring trends of rose gold and jewelry emphasizing nature including leaf, floral and vine styles popping up everywhere. You can easily incorporate these into your spring style by adding a new item to your jewelry collection by adding a rose gold band with a piece you already wear, or you can reset your diamonds into a style featuring rose gold.”
This spring, Jenny is most exciting for their female clients who will be receiving a new ring or purchasing one for themselves. “We have focused on having a new assortment that looks nothing like our previous inventory,” she says. “Engagement rings with black diamonds, rose gold and natural looking pieces will be sure to help you ‘spring forward’. We’ve purchased an ultra-modern engagement ring that has black diamond sides and a tension set center diamond. It’s amazing! I look forward to meeting the fabulous lady who will wear this design. I am sure she will be a show stopper!”
Hair Styles
No spring look is complete without a new hairstyle! Your hair is the finishing touch on any outfit and should be one that flatters you and that shows your personality. Depending on your line of work, you might need to stay conservative or you might be encouraged to have a style with a little flair! The most important thing when it comes to hairstyles is developing a relationship with a stylist who you return to each time you need a cut, color or other treatment. When you get to know your stylist, you become more comfortable with them and trust them with your hair. They can also get to know you, your lifestyle and how your hair reacts to certain products, treatments and cuts so they can suggest new things for you to keep you on the cutting edge.
Everyone should start spring with a new, updated look! Remember to shop local, get to know your local shop owners, check out resale shops and don’t forget that jewelry and hair style!!