Gaiety for spring
Gay does have another meaning, not to make a big thing of it. And spring is the time for gay clothes, pieces that seek the sun, ever warmer and more insistent on the back.
Here are some lighthearted delights on my wish list this spring. Just one item would lift my heart.
Dots et fleurs
Eric Bompard's silk polka-dot shirt (E95) will be perfect with navy pants, my denim pencil skirt, or even jeans. Pretty and polite; if you have good legs, wear it with shorts.
Keds. Gingham with fruit. Because the bohemian side loves a sunny summer day, when maybe you do not much of anything. (I tried them on; they run wide, and I'm a standard B.) Price, $45.
Stripe-teases
Gay, jaunty, chic; Stella's insouciance is MacCostly, but if I had a plump piggy-bank, I'd spring for it. (Deck-chair striped top, $1,165 from net-a-porter).
Boden Breton stripe top, in mint, £25. Or candy pink, or lilac, the fun colours. Jaunty in navy, too, but the ice-cream shades promise more hijinks.
Madras: An inherently happy fabric, not easy to wear unless you're quite thin, but anyone can carry a bag with a retro stripe. Price, $40 from Land's End.
Red rovers
Red shoes make you skip! First, a pair for touring, with padded insoles and an anatomic footbed: Acropedio's cherry "Rose" flats, $139 from Zappos.
Then, a flirty pair for dancing, Kate Spade's "Caelyn" suede wedge; price, $325 at Zappo's. Poppy on the toe, Prosecco at hand.
And a hat!
Our mothers understood: You kept that coat, you bought a fabulous new hat.
Straw will strut soon as buds push forth. I covet Albertus Swanpoel's fedoras; his Cape Cod model is $380 at Barney's.
Frugal but flaunty: A vintage panama in a merry red stripe, size Medium, a mere $24 from etsy seller Hoogs. Imagine with your jeans, a light sweater, and spring in your step.
Out of the closet
What will you bring out or buy? What lifts your heart, makes you yearn for tulips, find the first outdoor terrace, venture a sockless shoe?
There is always one thing that shouts spring, and we'll let it, even if a pair of rain boots.
Comments
Darla
Red shoes are a mood shifter for sure.
Hats are difficult for me to wear but I have a few straw ones for gardening and the boat.
A few weeks ago while thrift-shop browsing, I found a cheerful, well constructed, and strangely flattering cotton shift with its original tags from a Cape Cod shop. A dress I might have worn in high school, it's not just madras--it's patchwork madras. As Erma Bombeck once said of a recipe for orange cake with orange icing, "Earrings for an elephant, and no apology!"
C.
kathy peck: Going wihtout socks is one of life's small pleasures!
pseu: there are some incredible hats
in Paris ;)
hostess: Not yet? I couldn't wait to put them away- spring is 2 weeks early here! (I have worn long underwear under linen.)
c. Madras shift, fun find. Had you seen this? Very retro too:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-pattern-34-sleeve-shirtdress~234797_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::ZR8&CM_MERCH=IDX_women-_-dresses-skirts&origin=index
Love those rain boots as well, and patent leather, perfection!
Have to echo Hostess, though -- I keep trying to put away my winter clothes, but then have to haul pieces back out again because of the continued damp chill. One of these days . . .
C.
lagatta: Have you condsidered this?
http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi28531&mode=search&backurl=%2Fonline%2Fsearch%2FsearchResults.jsp%3Fquestion%3Ddenim%2Bjacket%26trail%3D%26pageNum%3D0%26addFacet%3DSRCH%253Adenim%2Bjacket%26removeFacet%3D
It has seaming for shape and adjustable tabs at the side.
Debbi: Those offbeat colours in marinieres are so much fun!
C.: Wonder how well-made it will be? Land's End have definitely gotten more stylish but- please let us know. The reviews were pretty good.
I've been wavering about that pink-striped Breton -- I think you may have pushed me over the edge!
http://www.hatsscarvesandmore.com/c-large-size-hats.html and a search on "large size hats for women" will turn up more. Even if we are not natural hat-wearers there are times when a brimmed hat is essential.
Rubi: My that would look terrific on you, the pink or the mint. Or both ;)
Jacinta from Australia
You'll want, I'd think, something she can wear easily, not just for dress-up- so how about a pendant? It's lighter and a young look. See "White Drop Pearl Wish Necklace".
In the Loose Pearl section there is a "Glowing Green Copper" natural colour Tahitian, a big, rare standout. Sarah at Kojima can easily make this into a pendant on a gold chain (or even leather, if she'd like that.)
If you have your heart set on a strand, talk to Sarah, Kojima's owner. She does a lot of craft shows and can tell you what the young women like. She also has more pearls than are on the site and will send photos.
Love to hear what you choose! Since you are in Australia also look at Catherine Cardellinis's site- but her style is more mature and 'lady': www.catherinecardellinipearls.com