Sigh. It's warm here in Ottawa, people. And has been for a few days. Maybe warm-ish would be more accurate, but above freezing, at any rate. With sunshine. And we're still in February. The past few days have felt like nature's balm to this winter weary soul. For those of us pining for spring, a bit of warmth and sunshine "knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care," and makes us feel new again. Okay, enough with the Macbeth hyperbole, what I'm saying is that I'm ready for spring fashions.
So I've started my spring shopping research. Reading articles on spring trends. And looking at the runway shows for spring 2018.
Apparently white on white is big this season. Like the Max Mara look on the left above. And what British Vogue calls "ice cream colours", soft pastels, baby blues, creamy vanillas, and raspberry pinks, like the Dries Van Noten trench coat in the middle above. Which hits on two trends: soft colour and trench coats. Apparently "trench dressing" was big on the Spring 2018 runways last fall. I guess that means the trench coat is back, and I didn't even know it had gone. Works for me, though. I'll be looking for a spring coat this year, just like I've been doing for the past three. Hopefully I'll find one this spring. Another trend that appeals to me is colour: bright, primary, Crayola crayon colours. That look from Agona, on the right, inspires me, not so much the jacket or the trousers, but the colours. The colours are so fresh. I'm just getting started with my research and, already, I'm anticipating spring in a big way.
Today, I'm off to meet a friend for coffee, and I am eschewing my winter palette. Ditching, for today, some of the pieces of which I am right royally sick to death. Trying to channel spring in the middle of winter, and doing my best with what I have in my closet.
First off, I refuse to wear my black Stuart Weitzman ankle boots. I love them, but, we need a break from each other. So I'm donning my brown Paul Green boots, instead, and hoping that the coffee shop parking lot has bare pavement. The leather soles on these babies make them treacherous on ice. My skinny jeans and my black leggings are staying in the closet. I haven't worn my flared Current Elliott jeans all winter. Mostly because they look best with the Paul Green boots and... well... as I've said before on the blog, my days of risking life and limb for fashion are over.
And I'll need to be pulled together because I'm wearing my pink Max Mara coat over my red sweater. I know, the old adage that pink never works with red is out of date, but I still think that the two need some sort of transition piece to help them get along.
![woman in pink tweed coat, patterned scarf, and sunglasses]( "Anticipation: Pining for Spring Fashion. Holt Renfrew scarf, Aritiza tee, Banjo and Matilda cardigan, Max Mara tweed coat, and Ray Ban sunglasses.")
Now I must go. Hubby just yelled to me that it's supposed to start freezing rain late this afternoon. Ackk... I do not want to negotiate our backyard in my leather-soled Paul Green boots when the sidewalk is covered in ice. Ever watched that scene from the movie Bambi... when Bambi encounters ice for the first time? Yep. That'll be me, long skinny legs splayed every which way.
I'm only getting started with my spring shopping research. I'll be back with a later post on what I've found... the good, the bad, and the ugly. And trust me... there is a lot of ugly. Ha. Then I'll need to do my spring closet inventory, and make my list. A trench coat, loose white jeans, wide legged pants... again. I can hear poor Liz sigh when she reads that. I know, Liz. I never, ever like them when I get them on. But maybe I'll get lucky this season.
Meanwhile, I'm off to meet my friend, doing my best to quell my anticipation of spring, to stave off the pining by wearing a bit of colour. A great cup of coffee and a croissant might help too.
Have a listen to Carly Simon sing about anticipation. I love Carly Simon. Back in high school my friend used to say that her song "You're So Vain" was about my first boyfriend. But that's another story.
So I've started my spring shopping research. Reading articles on spring trends. And looking at the runway shows for spring 2018.
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| Trendy spring looks from Max Mara, Dries Van Noten, and Agona. source |
Today, I'm off to meet a friend for coffee, and I am eschewing my winter palette. Ditching, for today, some of the pieces of which I am right royally sick to death. Trying to channel spring in the middle of winter, and doing my best with what I have in my closet.
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| Sheesh. Try to smile, would you? |
Now, I need some colour. A pop of white with a long-sleeved tee shirt from Aritzia. And red with my old Banjo and Matilda cardigan. I love the length of this sweater. Plus it's quite light weight and won't feel bulky under my coat. And this gauzy, cashmere scarf from Holt Renfrew with all the painterly colours (pink and red and purple and green) will help pull everything together.
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| I'm trying to smile and squint at the same time. Loving my red sweater, though. |
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| I love my flared jeans with these boots. And the scarf with my tweed coat. The backdrop, not so much |
I love my Max Mara coat. And I haven't worn it much this winter what with all the -20°C temperatures, not to mention the -30° wind chill days when sane people wear down coats, and toques, and mittens... or stay at home. Ha. No toque required today, my friends, nor down coat, nor mittens. Although my leather gloves will be tucked into my bag.
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You know, I'm kind of enjoying this outfit. It feels fresh, and a bit springy, and is just what I need today. It's not high fashion. Or cutting edge. But it's comfortable, and pulled together, and polished. Well, polished enough. After all, I won't be sashaying down Rodeo Drive, or waiting to make my entrance to a New York Fashion Week venue amidst a flurry of paparazzi. Ha. I won't even be mingling among the Winterlude crowds in downtown Ottawa. I'll just be sipping coffee with a friend in a neighbourhood cafe. And feeling great.
Now I must go. Hubby just yelled to me that it's supposed to start freezing rain late this afternoon. Ackk... I do not want to negotiate our backyard in my leather-soled Paul Green boots when the sidewalk is covered in ice. Ever watched that scene from the movie Bambi... when Bambi encounters ice for the first time? Yep. That'll be me, long skinny legs splayed every which way.
I'm only getting started with my spring shopping research. I'll be back with a later post on what I've found... the good, the bad, and the ugly. And trust me... there is a lot of ugly. Ha. Then I'll need to do my spring closet inventory, and make my list. A trench coat, loose white jeans, wide legged pants... again. I can hear poor Liz sigh when she reads that. I know, Liz. I never, ever like them when I get them on. But maybe I'll get lucky this season.
Meanwhile, I'm off to meet my friend, doing my best to quell my anticipation of spring, to stave off the pining by wearing a bit of colour. A great cup of coffee and a croissant might help too.
Have a listen to Carly Simon sing about anticipation. I love Carly Simon. Back in high school my friend used to say that her song "You're So Vain" was about my first boyfriend. But that's another story.
I must sound desperate for winter to be over. Last week it was hats. This week, I'm forcing the season with some spring colour. What are you doing?
Linking up this week with: Visible Monday, #IwillwearwhatIlike, What I Wore, Thursday Favourite Things, Passion 4 Fashion, Fun Fashion Friday, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Share Link-Up