{Style} by Lori Delisle

Happy 1st Day of Spring!!!

The trees in my back yard are gracefully transitioning into their spring attire.  The bare winter limbs budded today with baby spring green leaves.  They are right on time and perfectly dressed for the occasion. 

It may be easy for the trees to transition into their spring wardrobe,  but it is not as easy for us sometimes.  In winter I am married to my knee high boots.  I probably wear them 5 days a week at the least.  But when the sun starts to come out I get my urges to bring out some of the spring gear, and then I step out side, and I want to put my boots back on again!  Brrrr!!!

So how do we gracefully transition from winter to spring wear???  Are you in love with your boots too, but wanting to bring a little bit of spring time to your wardrobe???  Well here are some ideas.  If you have nice long thin legs you can ignore what I have to say next.  If, however, you don’t have the legs of a super model, read on. 

Boots with Slacks 

Boots are a nice leg lengthening add to slacks and jeans.  It is tempting at this time of year to also wear them with a cropped pant.  Please refrain.  Remember that we are talking about the art of illusion.  Pairing boots with a cropped pant can make your legs look shorter and thicker.  The best look for cropped slacks is a nice sexy heal to lenghten and slim your legs.  Letting your ankles show highlights the trimest part of your leg and the heal adds height. 

Don’t Do

Boots with Skirts 

The first items that I like to bring out for spring are dresses and skirts.  Since it is still cool, boots are a must for me most of the time because I don’t like to be cold!  But wearing boots with a skirt can be tricky (remember, long skinny model legs can ignore this .  To combine winter and spring fashion, go for a shorter hemline (say 2" above your knee).  And then combine that with a pair of knee high boots. The problem comes because most people don’t wear anything inbetween and so all eyes go straight to your knees.  Note the bare legged ladies below.  All I see is white legs and they even look a little chunky, which I doubt they really are.

The goal is to create a seamless transition between your boots and your hemline.  Wearing a sheer hose that blends the color of your boots to the color of your hemline will do that.  In the photo below I’m wearing a black suede boot with shear barely black hose that blend the winter boot with the sheer skirt. 

Don’t    Do

Sheer items are popular this spring.  To wear them in this transition time, you’ve got to balance the sheer with the weighty warmer items.  I paired this sheer skirt with a fitted sweater and suede boots.  The key to making this work is the sheer hose, the slim silohette, and the balance of color and weight from top to bottom.  If it was all heavy on the bottom and all floaty on the top, it would be off balance.  I also added in some white jewelry pieces to lighten the look and pull in the colors from the skirt.  From my own line:

   

So enjoy letting winter melt away and the promise of Spring enliven your heart!

–Lori