Spring Trend: Tropical Prints

Dear Readers,
 

From Proenza Schouler to Joseph Altuzarra, tropical prints are everywhere this season. Vibrant hues and lush blooms instantly transport you to a style paradise, and this easy, breezy trend works just as well in the boardroom as it does on the beach.

Subtle or bold, there are many ways to bring the exotic to your everyday wardrobe. Here are a few tips and tricks for island style:

Pattern Play. It's all in the pattern. Look for palm leaves, snakeskin, ikat, tie-dye, and tropical birds on everything from gauzy tunics to silk scarves.

Live Colorfully. (Pastels included.) In muted shades or rich tones, these are prints that deserve to stand out. Think deep emerald greens and cobalt blues, cherry reds and poppy corals, and splashes of yellow, aqua, and violet. Color-shy? Pair with understated neutrals like olive green, khaki, black, and white. Throw in a metallic bag or sandal, and you're ready for a taste of island life. (Even if the closest you'll get is a trip to Lake Erie.)

Material Girl. Try combining textures for a chic look. I often stack thin gold bracelets between wooden bangles and love mixing linen, silk, and chambray. Leather accents in a crossbody or gladiator sandal will take you from land to shore in an instant.

(The Webster for Target Dress, J. Crew Wedges (similar), Target Bracelets (here and here), Jason Wu for Target Clutch)

Get ready for a major case of wanderlust.

What's your favorite print this season? Share your must-haves in the Comments section below!
 

Style Views: Meet Lauren

This spring, it's all about style reinvention in the Style Views. From clothing and accessories to makeup and home decor, each of the women featured here will share in their own words just how they're changing things up this season. Prepare to be inspired, clean out that closet, and reinvent your own style this spring.

This week, Lauren shows us how to mix and match prints. (And add a little sparkle.)

~ Lauren ~

This spring, I added polish and sophistication to wardrobe staples by mixing patterns and colors, accessorizing with bold jewelry, and investing in a few new pairs of shoes from Shoe Dazzle.

My closet is full of patterned dresses, and this Madewell dress is a new favorite. I love the bright pops of color against the neutral background.
 

I took inspiration from Pinterest and paired the floral dress with a striped blazer from J. Crew. I love how the patterns complement each other and transform this dress. Last year, I would not have thought to pair these items together. Taking inspiration from Pinterest and fashion blogs, I have become much braver in my fashion choices and more willing to try new things!

I added a little bling to the outfit with a J. Crew citron statement necklace and Kate Spade sparkly bow studs. I don’t usually wear a lot of sparkle, but these earrings have not left my ears since I bought them, and I have been including more sparkle into my wardrobe ever since.

This Rebecca Minkoff handbag will be going everywhere with me this season! I love the almond color and luxe gold hardware. (The words of an official Rebecca Minkoff addict.)

Finally, here is how I would style this dress for summer. This glitter handbag is a new essential, and I plan on mixing it with many different outfits this season. The ankle-strap sandals are from Shoe Dazzle, my new online shopping obsession that has tons of trendy styles at affordable prices.

Don’t shy away from the endless avenues fashion has to offer —inspiration is everywhere you turn!

~ Lauren ~

Thanks, Lauren, for showing us how easy (and pretty!) mixing and matching can be!
 

Style Views will be back next week with a brand new feature! You can catch up on the entire spring series here.
 

Palm Prints

Dear Readers,

We've all been here: You're in the dressing room with the cutest [insert items here], and there's no way you're walking out of the store without them wrapped up in a bag, forever yours. That's how I felt about this shrunken sandspun blazer and silk camisole from Madewell.

Thanks to expert tailoring and a slim fit, this blazer instantly makes any outfit feel more sophisticated. I especially love how versatile this one is. The sandy color compliments brights and neutrals alike, and the fabric is perfect for spring days and summer evenings.

 

And it was instant love the moment I saw this silk cami.

From Stella McCartney to Isabel Marant, tropical prints are everywhere this season. What makes this cami unique is its subtle interpretation of the trend; instead of bold hues and lush blooms, it relies on faded shades and subtle pops of color to make an impact.

On its own, the cami feels summer-ready with skinny jeans and sandals. (And has me dreaming of a tropical getaway.) I'd love to try this print in a scarf or clutch, too.

(Madewell Blazer, Madewell Top, Gap Jeans, Stitch Fix Ring, Target Mossimo Pumps)

 

Feeling tropical this season? Learn more ways to wear this trend in Friday's post!
 

Happy Mother's Day

Dear Readers,

I'm so lucky to know so many amazing mothers — and incredibly blessed to have my own.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Love you much.

Spring Trend: Sheer

Dear Readers,

Clothes are playing peek-a-boo this spring with rising hemlines, clever cutouts, and sheer fabrics. (Not to mention the return of the crop top.) Like any true romantic, I love the flowy dresses and skirts of spring, and this seemed like a good opportunity to try the sheer trend.

This gorgeous skirt from Forever 21 ticks all the boxes: color (orchid), fabric (sheer and pleated), length (maxi), and price ($24.80). The second mini-layer provides coverage where I need it, yet a hint of leg keeps it a little flirty.

Loft's slouchy linen tee is a perfect companion to the maxiskirt and comes in a wide variety of colors. I chose charcoal gray and added my coral snakeskin day clutch for a pop of color. And with shoes this sparkly, accessories are optional.

Style Now, Style Later: This summer, I'll pair this skirt with a fitted chambray shirt tied at the waist and cork wedges for day, and a strappy tank, blazer, and gladiator sandals for night. I may even borrow Emily Schuman's chic idea of knotting it at the knee. (All the better for showing off those new sandals.)

(Forever 21 Skirt, Ann Taylor Loft T-shirt, Target Xhilaration Sandals, Target Mossimo Clutch)

Dare I say I'm ready for the crop top?