Spring is (almost) in the air and definitely in the stores, so it’s time to take stock of the newest major trends. First, let me say that I’m a huge believer in buying smart. Trends are important and refreshing, but not every trend will work for everybody. A solid wardrobe should have a good mix between trends and classic pieces, so pick a few that work for you and rock them. ?Color is huge this spring, and there are so many to choose from: corals, pinks, blues, teals — even day glo is back en vogue. Yellow is being hailed as the new neutral, so make sure it has a place in your ward-robe. A fun way to do color this season is with denim. Jeans are coming in just about every color and from all designers (The Gap, Joe’s Jeans and Paige Denim, to name a few). Pair them with a neutral top or be daring and add a bold color. For example: try mixing green denim with a yellow top. White denim is perfect for spring too, keeping everything looking crisp and clean. Here’s a quick tip when it comes to white denim: have the front pockets removed so there are no lumps, bumps or shadows — just a smooth finish. Other denim obsessions this season are trouser and boyfriend styles. Trouser jeans give a more polished appearance and compliment most body types. They can be worn to work on Friday for a professional look or paired with a chic top and wedges for the weekend. Boyfriend jeans, meanwhile, are my go-to jeans. In a hurry to get kids to school? Feeling icky and don’t want to put a lot of effort into your style? Throw on a sweater, shrug or T-shirt with boyfriend jeans and you are out the door with your style still in check. If mere color is too tame and you want something more daring, try prints. Floral is everywhere this season — jeans, dresses, tops, skirts and even ballet flats — and what better time than spring to show off that feminine side? Other prints to play with are stripes (spring/summer classic), polka dots, python and tribal. Mixing prints is very fashion-forward and something I’m seeing a lot of recently. Tory Burch’s website (www.ToryBurch.com) gives tips on tackling this style statement. One tip: practice before you debut. It may be intimidating, but once you get it right you will be hooked and find yourself doing combinations you never dreamed of. Fashion is about having fun and taking chances. There is no better feeling than walking out the door feeling confident, feminine and chic. The spring trends segment will continue next time when I will focus on shoes and accessories. In the meantime, I hope to see you around town looking your best. You never know if I will spot you and ask for your picture to showcase in my “I love your style” segment. Until next time, happy shopping! MEET OUR NEWEST FASHION GURU! “I have loved clothes for as long as I can remember! Growing up, we had a rule in my house: I could only wear one outfit per day, not three like I wanted to. My love of fashion took me to the University of Arizona in Tucson, where I received a bachelor’s in merchandising and consumer studies. After graduating, I followed my other love, my husband, to Arkansas and learned the operational sides of many different businesses. Handbags and ready-to-wear never left my head or my heart, so when we moved back to La Jolla I took the retail plunge. I had amazing opportunities and experiences to grow in my career. I have held many positions from manager, sales associate and personal stylist (my favorite). Working for companies like Tory Burch, Nordstrom, Coach and Saks Fifth Avenue cultivated my knowledge, fashion courage and relationships with designers — and the wardrobe perks were not bad, either. I believe your fashion image can be very powerful, but it can also be intimidating in your closet or a fitting room if you don’t know what you are doing. I would have no clue how to change the oil in my car but I could get your closet ready for seasons, events, or a change in career or lifestyle. I so look forward to writing this column and getting to know all of you. I would love to answer your fashion questions no matter how trivial or complex. Not sure if a trend is right for you, how you should mix prints, where you should splurge or save? Write me at [email protected] and I will be happy to share my knowledge and love of fashion.” — Sabrina Heft
