Spring/Summer 2023
Spring is in the air! I love this time of year for many reasons. Pretty Spring fashion, of course, as well as more time outside. It’s also been nice to spend time in actual stores seeing what’s new – even though I often repurpose items from prior years and just update with a twist.
Before we get into trends, I’d like to share some tips about packing for travel as it’s something I’ve been helping my clients with that seems to ease their packing stress. And whether you’re packing for 2 weeks or even a long weekend getaway, there are a few “rules of the road” that can help you feel so organized and put together!
For example, I recently worked with a long-time client who wanted a travel wardrobe capsule for a 2-week trip to Spain and Paris where she could feel polished but not take too much. We started with the shoes (which should be very comfortable for a trip like this) and from there we built a wardrobe to cover the various weather ups & downs, events and other considerations. We chose mostly dark colors (black) which are more forgiving if spills happen, and then one or two accessorizing colors. I am sharing the picture with these choices laid out. We also made a spreadsheet with outfit choices including accessories and shoes so she would always look put together. After the trip concluded, we went over what worked and what she did not use to help for other itineraries to come. This is very similar to what I do for many, and here are a few more tricks to consider for faraway travel:
- Keep it simple. Choose one main neutral color as your base and can layer/accessorize from there. Doing this also helps minimize the pairs of shoes you need to bring that will work with all your clothing choices. Having “options” is not the goal when you’re lugging around a heavy suitcase (for driving trips with unlimited space, this is not a concern).
- Plan for layering. Pack a few lightweight jackets, sweaters or scarves that can go on top of other clothing to help get you from day to evening, as well as deal with changes in weather.
- Make sure you’ve worn everything before you go … especially your shoes. Walking 20,000 steps a day in uncomfortable shoes is no fun!
- Finally, packing cubes are great, but compression ones are even better for space saving. My client swears by the Alameda brand which you can find on Amazon.
On to trends…
and please know that I am not advising you buy any or all of this to look and feel your best. I just like to share what’s new and available; of course you need to find the style that works right for you.
Spring/Summer trends
Denim! Lots of denim in all varieties — with the surprise hit of the season being the denim maxiskirt (I love it!). If choosing new jeans, most popular are those with wider legs (think flare or boot cut) or straight leg jeans that are a bit skinny. I’m not crazy about regular straight/barrel leg jeans. To me, they are not super-flattering to any leg shape. Also, low-rise jeans are back, but thankfully this time around are actually more like mid-rise which are easier to wear.
Quiet luxury: An interesting trend that refers to a way of dressing that signifies status through high-end materials and tailoring rather than loud design and obvious logos. Think quality pieces that can work season after season, helping you feel polished and put-together without trying too hard. However, they are usually in neutral colors and basic silhouettes that some might find less “fun”. Gwyneth Paltrow’s look when she was in court recently is a good example of this.
Sheer pleasure: So-sheer clothing with an undergarment underneath is a big trend for celebrities who are uber-comfortable showing their bodies. While I like sheer fabrics, I prefer subtle pieces with more strategic covering, such as camis or slips, that allow touches of arms and legs to show without being too obvious. Mesh, lace and other fabrications work well for this look.
Stripes are everywhere this season. Even though they are classic, this Spring they’re also trendy! Shirt dresses, button down tops in long or cropped variations are filling the stores. I especially love skinnier stripes because they are flattering to all. Feel free to try this option in some of the great, fun colors noted below. This dress from Banana Republic really fits the bill!
Happy, bold colors and prints. Tons of pink (from fuchsia, magenta to Barbie hot pink), lavender and blue are especially popular and plentiful on store racks. Also, I love the many colorful prints including feminine florals, geometrics and animal prints that look great on dresses and tops. I can see adding a few of these items to freshen up my wardrobe right now!
Tweed “Chanel” style jackets and dresses are abundant this Spring as well. They are showing this look in all types of stores and at every price point. For this trend to look current (since it’s a common style for the older set), make sure to pair with updated shoes and stylish jeans or jewelry to give it a fresh feel.
Cargo pants and skirts are back and a great option for warm weather. I always love this look, and there are lots of utilitarian neutral styles in fabrics from cottony to silk, and can even be worn for dressy or every day. You can find great styles from Target to Nordstrom to Athleta – and guessing many of you have some from prior years that still look great.
Jewelry: I’ve mentioned this before, but pearl necklaces have been back for a while, with classic or slightly updated versions worn as an everyday item, rather than just for fancy occasions (a Yoga teacher client even wears them to teach!). I love pearls layered with other delicate necklaces as well. Rosettes, floral-inspired pieces and drop earrings are also back, and tie in nicely with the Chanel trend above.
It’s time for flats & sandals! Big trends are shoes with pointy or square toes, slide-on sandals with big designer logos (not my fave, but very popular), embellished mule slides, and ballet flats. Platform sandals and espadrille wedges are classic looks and also back in style. And finally, naked/thin strap sandals are a great way to elongate your legs and carry you through hot summer days.
Looking good in lipstick! One of my favorite formulations, frosted, or shimmery lips are back on trend. This look is so pretty and much easier to wear than matte. One of my favorites brands for frost right now is MAC, and I like their Bombshell and Plum Dandy colors – both perfect for Summer.
Ask Suzanne
Question: I want to get away from my heavier tote bag that I carry all day and hurts my shoulders. I’d like to do something more manageable – maybe smaller and less heavy?
Obviously, smaller, lightweight purses are plentiful, and I love crossbody bags for that purpose. The diagonal line adds style, but also takes the pressure off your shoulders. Lo & Sons makes an excellent leather one called The Pearl, and for a sportier look you might consider canvas or nylon. Once you’ve chosen the bag, here are a few other tips that might help you slim down the contents of your purse:
- Downsize your wallet – go as small as you can, and minimize the amount of credit cards, cash and coins you carry. Consider using your phone for payments (i.e Apple Pay, Google Pay), and add any gift cards you can to your phone via apps. Truly a lifesaver!
- Clean out your purse regularly. Anything you don’t use often, you can remove. As I’ve learned over the years, your purse does not need to have everything.
- Don’t forget to remove receipts and other papers weekly.