March (Fashion) Madness, You Shoot, You Score

Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada of www.pitchpress.com on Sunday, March 1st, 2009

Spring has sprung and with it has blossomed a bounty of user-friendly and wearer-friendly trends. From easy-breezy silhouettes, to bold primary colors, the fashion set has served
up delightful frocks and accessories for every ‘body’ at every price this season.

Dresses

In NY and abroad, dresses and tresses strutted the runway (I may have to invest in extensions), but the silhouettes are truly something women can wear. Seriously. No joke. From strapless to halter, Grecian to Flamenco, maxi to mini, day to evening, dresses are the silhouette du jour (and du nuit) for Spring.

Shorts

Shorts continue their Sophomoric run. Some with paper-bag-waists, others slim and safari simple. Colors are neutral making your choice of black, khaki, white, an easy-button one. Most have cropped and cinched seasonal jacket or boyfriend sweater as the topper. A few showed the “short” styled with layered tops and teetering supermodels on sky high wedges (okay, so that’s not really something most women can pull off, so think: dresses!).

Skirts

Skirts were flouncy in layers or ruffles, short or long, each seemed cinched with a belt at the waist over an equally flattering and flouncing shirt (apparently I can put off the gym for another year, and wear waistline forgiving flounce, and look pretty darn good. Ha! Take that Jackie Warner.)

Jewelry

Jewelry: statement pieces. We’re talkin’ overly exaggerated statement pieces.

Bags

Bags: are simple, chic straw totes and clutches.

Shoes

Shoes: wedges, flats and gladiators oh my!

To save on your pocket book, buy a few and pair with existing pieces you own. By now, you’ve invested in your wardrobe essentials which can be carefully mixed and matched here, (steer clear of the turtleneck please). If you need an oversize shirt to belt, borrow your hubbies. Straw bags are always a plenty at resale shops and shoes are as savvy at Payless nowadays as they are at Piperlime.

And remember, when in doubt, less is more. Unless we’re talking shoes and bags then you can never have too many!

Shannon Estrada is co-owner of Pitch! Press, and a lover of all things fashion. Her expertise lies in publicity and trend forecasting. To learn more about Shannon, log onto www.pitchpress.com.