FASHION

Goodbye color block and hello prints. That which we have been anticipating since October has arrived and is blooming, blazing and meowing like a Saharan cheetah. Forget every rule you thought you knew about prints (no polka on polk, never polka with stripes) because the dizzying world of fabric is going where no micro floral has gone before.

Traditional pattern lovers like Pucci and Etro rejoiced as spring saw micro floral popping up everywhere. Joining with their own multi-colored geometrics were designers like Matthew Williams, Diane von Furstenburg and Max Azria. For day, choose dresses that allow for movement and foster grace. For evening, add some definition to your figure with bandage styles and shorter hemlines (right).

For ideas on how to mix and match prints this spring, look to fashion maven Rachel Zoe who says that it is first important to pick a color scheme and stick with it. Beyond that, pretty much anything goes. Tribal prints and geometrics are natural pairs. Stripes and dots are a go. So mix and match and take a walk on the wild side.

Emma Dinzebach

Sometimes boho lends itself to country. This season’s cowboys are cowgirls, and their apparel isn’t really right for mucking the hay. In addition to our fringed leather boots and favorite fringed satchel, spring’s necessities give way to how the west was really one. And you don’t have to be Miley Cyrus to wear them.

With corsets galore, girly gingham, polkadot prints and many ways to wear denim, denim and more denim. From the top down, casual denim bustiers are all the rage for tops. They hold in your love handles while showing off your yoga-toned back. Styles with ruffles at the bottom make women with less-than-tone tummies feel more comfortable. Top Shop has several versions in denim, lace and lovely ruffles. Roll up the sleeve on your clean button up tops and use them to pair with this season’s denim. DKNY Jeans Jr. has ripped white denim skinnies for just $69 or for a grayer shade, opt for AG’s stilt cigarette jean. In shorts, daisy dukes get a makeover. Don’t throw out your old cut offs, but consider purchasing a pair with cleaner lines, detailed edges or a higher waist.

Eyelet lace and ruffles offset the boyish feel of ankle boots and cowboy hats and frumpy feel of moccasins, so go ahead and mix your girly and lacy pieces with your denim and boots. Simple dresses and that old cardigan can be spiced up with western waist belts and denim vests. Add in some turquoise jewelry to top off your look, and show your neighbor how to walk the line.

Emma Dinzebach

According to the Environmental Protection Agency website, 12.4 million tons of textiles were generated in 2008. That equals 5% of all solid waste in the U.S. The recycling industry recycled 2.5 billion pounds of textile waste (10 pounds per person), and 61% of clothes recycled for second hand use are exported to foregin countries.

If you’re the kind of person who has to try to buy, then consider second hand stores. The mixed bag of Spring 2010 style (rocker chic, boho, leather, lace, dresses and prints) make this the season for vintage stores, and vintage denim is comfy and cool. Manhattan stores can get pricey, so consider a trip to the BK to pick up low-priced duds whilst lowering your carbon impact on the world. Last week at Buffalo Exchange – Williamsburg, I scored a mint condition vintage pair of Diane von Furstenberg gold flats and an antique turquoise necklace. Beware that the items you are buying are indeed reused as they tend to slip some mass produced newbies in there (especially jewelry).

If you just can’t handle worn clothing, consider denim from R.E.U.S.E. (Recycle. Environment. U. Save. Earth.) R.E.U.S.E. denim wanted to lessen consumer’s carbon footprint by offering spring’s styles in recycled denim. With clever names like reBORN and reNEWED, R.E.U.S.E. denim is made from 80% post-consumer recycled denim, 18.5% new cotton and 1.5% spandex. The result is a wearable, comfortable denim short, skirt, or jean – skinny, straight leg and destructed – that no one else has worn before. R.E.U.S.E. denim can be purchased on their website. And for events and celebrity sighting, check out their fun blog.

It’s Earth Day. Save It.

Emma Dinzebach

Not one for hemp sandals and dreads, I was momentarily resistant to the boho revival until I tasted Proenza Schouler Spring 2010 tie dye, Love Shop maxi dresses, and Rika scarves. Then I thought maybe there is still something fashion can derive from hippies.

Boho, a style that Sienna Miller made famous and Kooba made into a Sienna handbags, is a nickname for bohemian – a person who lives and acts free of regard to conventional rules and practices. Like the varied print combinations that pranced down the Spring 2010 runways, for fashion, being boho means mixing and matching like it’s nobody’s business. Denim with lace, tie dye t-shirts and skirts – you name it, it goes. Anything goes! Well, almost anything.

To pull off boho, you have to embody boho’s spontaneous style and attraction to comfort. If you love your Madewells or live all summer in your Vince cuffed jean shorts, this is the season for you. Everything boho goes with denim – denim dresses, denim bibs, and vests. Flouncy, printed shirts and soft pima cottons can be worn alone or layered. To pull off this look the style is in the details. Necklaces, bracelets, rugged boots and headwraps make your boho look your own. Don’t be afraid to mix and match (with some purpose) you’re favorite pieces. And while you’re busy coloring outside the lines, have fun.

Peace, Love & Proenza.

Emma Dinzebach