As the sleepy little buds are waking from their winter slumber in your garden, stores are filling with brighter colors, lighter textures and more skin-baring designs.
I love a change in seasons because it heralds a bouquet of new trends with which we get to play. My faves this spring include bare shoulders, lace and lightweight denim. But there is more! Oh, yes! Sooooooo much more!
You know how much I love introducing you to stylish people from around the South. Girls, have I got a treat for you today. I’d like you to meet a true fashion and style expert; a seasoned buyer who knows her way around the designer showrooms in New York, has owned her own boutique and is a southern girl through and through.
Buyer for Berlin’s for Women
Berlin’s was founded in 1883 and is the grand dame of the fashion scene in Charleston, SC.
Berlin’s Featured Brands:
JONATHAN SIMKHAI | PAM & GELA | ELLE SASSON | FRAME | MOTHER | NICOLE MILLER | BURNING TORCH | KOCH | DREW | BAILEY 44
Kristin spent the past eighteen years in the fashion industry specializing in buying, merchandising and styling. She works closely with designers and their teams to edit the collections and bring them to clients.
Kristin interprets the hottest runway trends into everyday, wearable looks that are on trend and modern, with an element of effortless sophistication. She’s southern, she’s gorgeous, she’s a real girl’s girl and you will love her!
I recently caught up with Kristin while she was on a buying trip in New York and asked her to share her top spring trend picks this year. It was no quickie phone call, lemme tell you. You have no idea how much we love to talk fashion!
Kristin’s Spring Trend Picks
Today, let’s talk about one of SuthinGirl’s favorite trends…bare shoulders!
First things first: I hate to exercise. Haaaaate it. Ask any of my girlfriends. Don’t do it at all except when my arms are gonna be on display…cue the cute bare shoulder trend, right?!
Ever done a chair dip? What about palm rotation exercises? They’re super simple. I do them seasonally and lemme tell you, they work. Tightens and tones both biceps and triceps, and gives you pretty definition. Start with 15 and work your way up to as many as you can.
Palm RotationsWith arms out at shoulder height, palms up, palms down. Again Again. Again. Speed it up! These little darlings look oh-so-easy (and really they are, which is why the appeal to me) but after about fifty, tell me you don’t feel the burn!!! Best done to your favorite music. And in my experience, after, not before, chair dips.
Bare shoulder tops and dresses are good investments this time of year because you can layer a blazer or sweater on top to start wearing them now.
Bare shoulder tops pair beautifully with the skinny jeans, high-waisted shorts, skirts of all lengths, chandelier and hoop earrings, and bangle bracelets you already have in your wardrobe.
Because you’ll be showing more skin up top, remember to strike a balance down below. A good rule of thumb is if your top is bare shouldered and fitted, cover up down below. If your bare-shouldered top is blousy or long-sleeved, you can go tighter or show more leg down below.
Keep in mind it’s not about buying a whole new wardrobe or changing your look head to toe (no one should attempt to wear more than one or two trends at a time!), it’s about incorporating a new top here, a new accessory there…just freshening up the look and feel of the beautiful things you already own.
Elizabeth and James ‘Layla’ Blouse
Nicholas Knit One-Shoulder Top
A.L.C. Derby Ruffle Strapless Top (ON SALE)
Milly ‘Jewel’ Floral Print Shell
Elizabeth and James ‘Carlita’ Dress
Veronica Beard ‘Fountain’ Sleeveless Ruched Button-Front Dress
Elizabeth and James ‘Bardot’ Denim Dress
Tibi Draped Twill Off-the-Shoulder Top
(and Draped Twill ‘Carwash’ Skirt)
Kristin and I will be sending more gorgeous spring looks down the runway all week on @SuthinGirl on Instagram and SuthinGirl on Facebook. Join us!
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