Posts Tagged ‘Spring fashion’

So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu

Posted in Feature, tagged , , , , on 21 February 2022| Leave a Comment »

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

FAREWELL AND SO LONG. . . TO WINTER THAT IS!!

I know! I know! Don’t even say it. There’s still a month to go. I just can’t help but feel a touch of spring in the air.

I realize that I’m being quite optimistic here and while I don’t know who Hal Borland is. . . I’m pretty sure he’s not from the Pacific Northwest as I do believe that Spring, over my many years of living here, has skipped one turn or two.

However, there was a sunny day last week that buoyed my hopes. My early blooming tete-a-tete daffodils are about to tap dance in the garden and make a show of it. The sarcococca (vanilla plant) is in full aroma and even grabbing the attention of the instacart shopper who was delivering my groceries.

“What is that heavenly aroma?” she wanted to know. I explained that the warmth of the sun brings out that delicious aroma in my beautiful ground cover.

Found myself outside that day watering a few pots here and there…. you know, the ones that don’t get rain water. Hope “springs” eternal! And, miracle of all miracles, my hands weren’t white from the cold.

Today I choose to believe that spring will come sooner rather than later.

Then there’s those pretty floral prints in the store right now. Feminine, romantic, happy prints that may definitely be Spring’s best au revoir to winter.

Pair the floral with a bit of embellishment on a crop denim. All you need is some white tennis shoes.

Pair the floral with white jeans and add a Birky sandal.

And yes! The floral is sleeveless. So what! Just add the coral boyfriend cardi or a denim jean jacket with either the denim or white bottoms and you’ve softened the look and covered the arms.

One last “word of wisdom” (presumptuous on my part, I know!) But bare with me!

If you think that curtains, pillows and wallpaper wear print and pattern well but you wouldn’t consider wearing them yourself, you’re not alone.

Don’t reject prints for fear of looking too young or too matronly ’cause that puts you in a never ending state of simplicity. Believe it or not, prints can be the spice of life without being a megaphone for fashion don’ts.

Keeping in mind that rules can be broken and have exceptions, here are two simple and very general rules to follow for the wearing of prints.

Wear a pattern under something more neutral. The easiest way to incorporate a print into your current wardrobe is to find a print that you can put under something—for example, a printed top underneath a boyfriend sweater or denim jacket or polished blazer.

And: pay attention to the scale of the print so as to match it to your body shape. Large prints increase volume, whereas small prints decrease volume. If you’ve been graced with the gift of height, then larger scale prints are good on you. Whereas, they might overwhelm a shorter lady and she should find prints that have a smaller scale.

Don’t let it wear you. . . you wear it!! That way you can gravitate to any pretty print and design and find a way to incorporate it into your closet.

Happiness!

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Off the Cuff, So What’s Up For 2013?

Posted in Off the Cuff, tagged , , , , , , on 12 January 2013| 6 Comments »

Jenny

O F F   T H E   C U F F
So What’s Up For 2013?
Sound Styles Soundings
  
Well, I know it is a new year because I had to write 2013 on a recent check, I’m busy calculating a year end inventory figure for our bookkeeper and I’m reviewing 2012 from both a personal and business perspective.  I’m also thinking a lot about what I’d like 2013 to bring.  I figure I might as well put that out there as early in the year as possible as we all know how time can fly.

When I think back on 2012 I’m ever so thankful for being able to weather the economic storm and for the determination I have.  I’m also thankful that I work and live in caring, supportive communities and that I thoroughly enjoy what I do and who I do it with.  Working with all of you, my dear mom and incredible crew is more than I could ask for.  I am so pleased that Sound Styles can give us all so much and I hope for that to continue.

So, what’s up for 2013?    Well, I have several small goals in mind personally and several in mind for our store.  But there is one larger goal that fits for both and  that is to be truly open to and accepting of change.
I actually want to leave room for it.  I want to wonder about what might lie around the corner.  I don’t want to be so busy always orchestrating the next move that I don’t notice all that is going on around me.  What opportunities will arise? What new adventures lie ahead?  I’m reading “Undaunted Courage” about Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the opening of the American West. Wow! Talk about adventure and courage and inspiration. Those guys were real explorers.

However, and closer to home, I’ve already had customers ask about what’s coming for Spring in terms of fashion.  Actually it is already both arriving and selling.  Interestingly enough, the first fashions that arrive for an upcoming season are often quite seasonless, especially for those of us here in the NW.  For spring we’re seeing lots of black and white, lots of prints, texture mixing, feminine details like ruffles, lace and applique, flat front pull-on colored jeans (oh really?), bright colors like  turquoise, red, purple, orange and fuchsia.  Prints are being combined and so are contrasting colors.  Skirt lengths are across the board. The look is bright and bold.

Furthermore, suitcase packing is easier than ever before.  We noticed this as we were helping someone pack for a Mexico trip the other day.  Fabrics are soft and easy care and colors definitely don’t have to match.  It’s hard to mess up.  Just don’t pack too much.

So Happy New Year!  Here’s to leaving room for healthy change, new adventure, a little lace and beautiful colors along the way. A trip to Mexico wouldn’t be bad either!
  
  
Off the Cuff is a periodic casual review of fashion styles, attitudes and trends by Jenny, owner of Sound Styles in Edmonds, WA

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