| As I was
walking around from store to store this month, I could feel my
winter coat getting very sad. With all the bright and inviting
spring items out there, my coat's fate was made quite apparent: BACK
IN THE CLOSET FOR STORAGE! I advise everyone to take some time
out and talk to your coats about spring. Prepare all your
favorite winter clothes for spring hibernation, because spring
is well on its way, and I for one cannot wait! |
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| Ann
Taylor |
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At Ann Taylor, they are offering strong, office-friendly pieces that
will ease the seasonal transition from winter into spring elegantly
and professionally.
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First up, a lime green,
100% raw silk skirt. It stops between the ankle and the knee, and
it's not too full, the combination of which keeps it from falling
into that weird casual-ball-gown- skirt look that I find very
difficult to pull off well. I think it's a great skirt, too,
because the bright hue adds an element of modernity to the
ancient, delicate connotations of raw silk. $88.00. |
Our second pick is a
100% silk tank top with side zip, in a classy retro/glamour black
and white plaid pattern. This is a formalized tank top in that you
don't just pull it on, but have to zip into it. It kind of reminds
me of an outfit for an antique Barbie Doll from the
50's. $58.00.
I've paired it with a dark khaki, below the knee length skirt. It's
got more of an A-line shape, and has a split down the middle
to keep your range of movement free. It also has a neat
waistline, without the bulk of buttons or belt loops
traditionally found on khakis, which keeps things sleek
and less casual. $78.00. |
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And in the accessory
department, Ann Taylor said LET THERE BE SHOES, bestowing on
us great choices of sophisticated shoes. Take for example
these T-Strap mules. They've got a great shape, and have
that nerdy/sexy combination that I find very
interesting. Available in pea green, cognac, or black.
$98.00. |
| Also from the shoe
department, this sandal with an itty-bitty Sabrina heel and
dainty ankle straps to hold your foot in. The innersole
of the shoe is green leather, which just looks so nice peeking
through between your toes. Available in black, khaki or white.
$88.00. |
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| Banana
Republic |
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| At Banana
Republic this month, I did not find many new things that are
too different from what has already been hanging on their
racks months before. However, there were a few items that I
found and have chosen for their spring-friendliness. |
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First up is what I like
to call the Courtney Love sweater: a basic, loosely
knit, cotton sweater that has a grungy twang for that
perfect mix of sloppiness and "urban" chic.
The knit is loose enough to show a bright top underneath, if you so
desire. $78.00.
Worn with the sweater is their three-quarter length
pants, which are 100% cotton that seems to have been
treated, because they feel slightly plastic -- a
fashionably refined pair of army fatigue-clam diggers.
$68.00. |
| Spring would not be
complete without the appearance of the flouncy slip
dress. This one is cut on the bias, and is made of 100%
silk. The fabric has an organic, stormy, gray print on
it that keeps the dress from becoming just about
the flounce and the bounce. $138.00. |
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And from the shoe
department, we have these great high-heeled mules, that
come in a light gray leather or black. They're chic, basic and
flatter many leg shapes. $108.00. |
| Look ma, no buckles!
This black belt has taken utilitarian-minimalism to
the very core of its concept. A skinny belt that closes
by Velcro! One can't get a more perfect mélange of slick
and sporty. $38.00. |
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| Gap |
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| I have to
admit that I am warming up to the Gap. Maybe it's because they
didn't put out any new ads out for me to make fun of, or maybe
it's the weather. Whatever it is, the Gap has managed to win
my allegiance, and appease my critical gaze! |
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First up, the suede
jacket in enough pastel colors to outfit all the members
of Jem and the Holograms (pink, yellow, blue, and
lavender). For those who don't remember, Jem was a
cartoon about an all-girl rock band with crazy 80's
makeup and clothes that rocked in their soap opera
cartoon world. In any case, soft colors and a classical
cut make this jacket truly outrageous! $168.00. |
| Next, there is this
white, cotton, peasant top, with scrunchie-cap sleeves and an
embroidered bodice. Think of an Italian-hippie farm girl
basking in the Tuscan sun. $38.00. |
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The third pick we have from the Gap are these rayon-spandex
long-sleeved tops, which are very thin and colorful,
which equates to ENDLESS LAYERING POSSIBILITIES. Yay!
Because layering is an activity that is fun all year
round! Available in yellow, fuschia, white, gray, sky blue, or
black. $24.50.
Continuing with the
alternative to buckles trend seen at Banana Republic,
this suede belt with ties to close it instead of a
buckle is a very hippie touch. Available in red, brown, and
light tan leather. $19.50. |
| Last up from the Gap is
this 100% cotton, three-quarter length sleeve crew neck
T-shirt. Juxtaposing stripes of fuschia and soft pink create a
candy striper-meets-Freddie Krueger on Elm Street look
that is frighteningly sweet. $24.50. |
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| J. Crew |
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Although I don't tan
well (in fact I don't tan at all, only burn), I do appreciate the
fact that the fabric that this bathing suit is made of lets the rays
through, but keeps you covered without worrying about tan
lines, which I think is pretty cool. French cut top and bikini, each
$48.00.
Even though a tan looks great,
Fashion Finds would like to remind everyone that they should not be
in the sun without an SPF50 sun block, and see your dermatologist
regularly. You can always get a tan from a bottle. Please protect
against skin cancer! - Gina
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| The winner for
most economically satisfying Top 5 of 5 Pick goes into
this environmentally friendly jute bag, in either maroon or
natural tan. And it's extra long in length to hold towels or a W
magazine, or the true meter of a good bag length: the envelope/folder from
the NYC Public Library's Picture Collection. $12.00. |
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Next, a loose-knit,
cotton-nylon sweater that feels like a towel. It's got a big lush
collar for windy spring days. Available in light blue, white or
tan. $58.00.
These fuschia pants are made of
100% polyester. However, only in the new millennium can 100%
polyester be this thin and soft! It's got a front zip, and the back
waistband is elastic. There are also drawstrings on the hems
on the pant legs, which I don't quite understand, and a charming
teeny little pocket on the bottom of the pant leg. $48.00. |
| Lastly, a cotton-nylon
skirt adds some shimmer to the J. Crew spring line-up. It's got cool
pockets and interesting belt loops; the square stitching and the
round shape of the pockets make for great geometric
relationships that play well on a subtly iridescent background of
silvery-gray fabric. $78.00. |
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| French
Connection |
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Although I
really get a kick out of the cheeky FCUK logo, I found the clothes
at French Connection a bit pricey. However, their witty and crisp
designs usually come in fun, sexy, color palettes, which in the end
somehow justify the price.
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For example, this
rayon-cotton v-neck top is clingy and deliciously soft, the type of
top that is very likely to be one of those tops you dig out of
the laundry basket and wear again because it looks good with
everything. Available in red, black, and purple. $88.00.
I've paired it with these
cotton-linen pants in purple with black beaded flower designs on the
bottom half of leg. The beading remains subtle, refusing to be
neither overly girly nor shamelessly trendy. $108.00. |
| Next, we have a
long-sleeve turtleneck in 100% cotton that is a bit rough to
touch, is loosely knit yet cut small enough remain unbulky.
Available in brown, tan or red. $98.00.
This knee-length white skirt comes
with a nifty side vent that unzips for extra room (kind of like
those expandable travel bags that unzip so that you can make it
bigger). Cotton-rayon fabric that is thick and stretchy. A great
piece for warmer weather. $88.00. |
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The last pick provides
enough evidence to form an explanation for the no-buckle belt
phenomenon, as this cute rectangle bag in denim has a
decorative silver buckle on the strap, perhaps stolen from a belt?
Regardless of whether the buckle came from a belt, or if the belt
came from the buckle, this bag looks pretty damn cute. $34.00. |
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| Well,
that's it from the spring frontlines as far as I am concerned. I'm
off to spend some solid quality time with my sad winter coat before
I put her away! Enjoy the last weeks of winter, and see you when the
weather gets warmer! |
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