SPRING FASHION TRENDS 2014

JEWELS OF THE SEASON

Reasons to Love it:
Designers went dutifully nuts with embellishment for spring. Dotted with crystals or encrusted top-to-toe, these pieces are guaranteed to dazzle. Slip one on when you want to feel like a million bucks.

Christian Dior, Prabal Gurung, Tom Ford, Rochas

HOW TO WORK IT
These clothes include their own "accessories," so forgo big jewels and statement bags, and pair with graceful ankle-strap heels or neat ballet flats. Wear your hair up (you don't want it hiding the detailing). Make a sleek side or middle part, and tuck the ends behind your ears. If a long sparkly dress feels too extravagant, try a mini with sneakers or an embellished top.


Asos Dress, $116

BCBG Max Azria Clutch, $268

J.Crew Skirt, $695

French Connection Dress, $248

Tory Burch Jacket, $650

Tibi Skirt, $365

Badgley Mischka Heels, $225

Spring Fashion Trends 2014

FIRST BLUSH

Reasons to Love it
Unless you're under 10 or live in Palm Beach, you probably don't wear a lot of pink. But you should! Shades of blush, rose, and coral are flattering, especially when spun into airy dresses and tailored suits. The effect is delicate, for sure, but not overly precious or prissy.

Burberry Prorsum, Balmain, Prabal Gurung, Giorgio Armani

HOW TO WORK IT
If your skin tone is on the pale side, choose brighter, more saturated shades of pink, as blushes or mauves can wash you out. Temper the hue's sweetness with smoky makeup and sexy rock and roll hair. Or slick back strands for a modern look. No dainty diamond studs or string of pearls here. Instead, go for an accessory like a lariat necklace, a cuff bracelet, or a chain-link belt.

Rebecca Minkoff Tote, $195

Red Valentino Dress, $695

Clu Dress, $230

Morgenthal Frederics Sunglasses, $395

Emporio Armani Patns, $595

Rupert Sanderson For Antonio Berardi Sandals, $995

Banana Republic Blazer, $150

Moschino Cheap & Chic Jacket and Skort, Jacket $995 and Skort $450

swimsuit myths and shopping tips

What's fact, what's fiction, and what's good to know when you're on the hunt for a suit.

4 Swimsuit Myths

MYTH: Never wear a white bathing suit
FACT: A white silt in a textured fabric with a thick nude lining will block any show-through

MYTH: The more coverage, the better
FACT: Extra fabric can emphasize the thing you want to hide. Boy shorts, for example, can squeeze and exaggerate excess flesh, whereas a string bikini adjusts to lay flat on the skin.

MYTH: Wear black to look slimmer
FACT: Navy, plum, brown, and dark green do the trick, too. Vertical and diagonal stripes and tiny prints can also make the body look leaner.

MYTH: With swimwear, buy the same size as you do in clothing
FACT: Swimsuits are typically sized smaller than clothes because they are meant to fit snugly. You may have to go up a size or two, especially with brands targeted to juniors, such as Roxy.


5 Things to do BEFORE You Hit the Stores

1. Apply self-tanner a day in advance to warm up winter skin. But don't try this on the day you plan to shop. The tanner will rub off on the fabric.

2. Check your closet for clues as to what already works on you. Love how you look in V-neck tops? Try halter cuts. Not a solid in sight? Focus on prints.

3. Wear a seamless thong )which won't show under swimsuits) and easy-to-remove clothing. A shift dress and slip-on flats allow for speedy changes.

4. Allot plenty of time to shop. You don't want to settle just because you're in a rush. Give yourself more than a lunch hour to browse and try on.

5. Drink a margarita!


6 Crucial Moves to Make When Trying on a Suit

• Lift your arms over your head. Does the top rise up?
• Bend over. Does the chest spill out the front?
• Lower your arms so they're at your sides. Are your breasts coming out of the sides of the suit?
• Relax your shoulders. Do the straps fall off?
• Sit crossed-legged. Does the bottom pop open or creep down in the back?
• Do a couple of lunges. Does the bottom ride up?

5 Ways to Protect Your Perfect Suit

• Hand wash the suit in cool water with Dreft or a soap made for swimsuits
• Clean the suit after every wearing, even if you didn't get wet, to remove sunscreen, sweat and body oils
• Gently roll the suit (don't wring it out) to get rid of excess water, then air-dry it away from direct sunlight
• Never wear the same suit two days in a row or it will stretch. Give the garment a 24-hour rest so the spandex has time to recover its shape.
• Avoid leaning on rough surface, like rocks, cement, or wood, to prevent snags. 

6 Winter Pieces Reinvented for Spring

The Chunky Sweater
While a cozy knit is a winter must, it's also an essential transition piece. When temps start to rise, copy Jamie Chung and partner it with a floral mini. Roll up the sleeves to ace that effortlessly stylish look.

KNITTED SWEATER + FLORAL MINI: To master print mixology, pair oversize prints, like this chunky-stripe H&M sweater ($35), with minute details like the florals on this J.Crew skirt ($98).

The Flannel Shirt
Traditionally, plaid is for casual fall-ready ensembles, but Olivia Palermo reworked hers for spring. Follow her lead and ground an otherwise too-formal skirt with a flannel top.

FLANNEL TOP + FRINGE SKIRT: To avoid a discordant look, make sure your top (R13, $395) and your skirt (Rage & Bone, $165) share similar shades.

The Turtleneck
Don't store your turtleneck away just yet. Follow Chloe Grace Moretz's lead and layer the cozy piece under your sleeveless springtime dress.

TURTLENECK + SLEEVELESS DRESS: For a more spring-appropriate look, ditch the black as much as you can. I turned to lighter shades for both the turtleneck (Zara, $37) and the dress (Shoshanna, $295).

Leather Pants
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley translated her love for leather bottoms from season to season, trading in her sweater for a breezy blouse (and worked in her favorite animal print along the way).

LEATHER PANTS + BLOUSE: For you leopard-print lovers, go for this Rebecca Taylor top ($265) and pair it with faux-leather, like these Zara pants ($50).

The Maxi Skirt
Miranda Kerr reinterpreted her dark maxi skirt for hotter climates by pairing it with a fun tie-dye tee--a clear, playful nod toward summertime fun.

TIE-DYE TEE + MAXI SKIRT: Look for maxis with a slit for ventilation and to show off your sexy legs. This Modern Citizen skirt ($49) has both. A laid-back tie-dye tee, like this Raquel Allegra top ($166) stops your look from bordering on scandalous.

The Leather Moto Jacket
Make the classic leather moto jacket work double time. Copy Olivia Munn and swap pants in favor for a printed midi when the sun's rays strike (bonus points if your jacket has color).

MOTO JACKET + STRIPED MIDI: To avoid overheating, leave the jacket (River Island, $110) unzipped and go for a strapless dress (Fashion Union, $31) underneath.

SPRING FASHION TRENDS 2014

6 SPRING TRENDS CELEBRITIES ARE WEARING NOW!

1. THE VARSITY JACKET
Get a running start on the athletic aesthetic with the varsity jacket (Coach, $1,098). Instead of committing to a full-on sport-inspired theme, layer it with a LBD, like Emma Roberts.

My Pick: Topshop, $50

2. WHITE SHIRTING
Nicole Richie traded her classic white button-down for one with unexpected detailing--in this case, a key-hole blouse. Do the same wit this French Connection top ($148).

My Pick: Mango, $90

3. PINK PANTS
Take inspiration from Diane Kruger who stepped out in the sweet shade. Try on the trend with Topshop skinnies ($65), then, half-tuck your top in like a street style pro.

My Pick: Gap, $70

4. THE FLIRTY SKIRT
Instead of the usual pleats, try a fit-and-flared skirt on for size (Le Fou by Wilfred, $60). Pair it with a casual tee or, for a more polished spin, a printed blouse like Olivia Palermo's.

My Pick: Tibi, $375

5. DRESSY SHORTS
Dressed-up shorts, like these checkered ones (Mango, $25) speak to a sophisticated side. Copy Nikki Reed and tailor the look for the workplace with a pair in a conservative black and white print.

My Pick: Oscar de la Renta, $690

6. BEJEWELED TEES
Add some flair to your wardrobe with amped-up tees. This one by Rebecca Taylor ($195) achieves the right amount of glam. Take a cue from Jaime King and pair it with distressed jeans.

My Pick: Mother of Pearl (asos.com), $325

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

I doubt the creators behind the addictive new Netflix series, Orange Is the New Black, realized they were predicting a major color moment when they dreamed up the show's title. But they sure did--as the fiery hue has been spotted all over the spring 2014 ready-to-wear shows, making its way from the season's It lip to its clothing, bags, and shoes.

Christian Siriano

DKNY

DKNY

Monique Lhuillier

Zac Posen