STYLE/BEAUTY

It’s time to say buh-bye to Winter and hello to Spring! The best thing about Spring’s arrival is all the fabulous shopping. Before you go on your Spring shopping excursion make sure to read this list of our five Spring must haves.

A Burberry Trench Coat Spring is a very fickle time of the year and you can never predict when the next Spring shower will come. So it’s important to be prepared while staying stylish and a perfectly fitting Burberry Trench coat will do the trick. You can wear a Burberry trench coat with everything from your favorite skinny jeans to your cocktail dress. It’s one of those fashion staples you’ll always have in your closet. Don’t forget to top it off with a cute umbrella.

Nude Patent Pumps Nothing kills an outfit more than the wrong pair of shoes. This season’s clothes come in a wide array of nudes, pinks and girly lilacs. It would be a fashion no-no to pair these delicate colors with harsh black shoes so make sure to invest in a great pair of nude heels which will go with all colors of the rainbow. You can’t go wrong with a great pair of patent nude pumps, Michael Kors makes a great pair and they look extremely chic while being extremely affordable!

Bright Handbag A bright Handbag in a punchy Hue will brighten up your whole look. Go for a color you wear often. For instance, if you like pink like we do, opt for a cute pink patent leather handbag to add a splash of color. Bright colors are definitely a hot trend for Spring and adding a bright colored handbag is the easiest way to get in on the trend. We like this one from Kate Spade‘s Spring collection.

New Shades Every fashionista needs a great pair of sunglasses. Designer sunglasses come in all shapes and sizes and it’s important to find a pair that looks best with your bone structure and face shape. The sales reps at the glasses stores are trained to help you find the best fit for your face shape so don’t be shy to ask them for help. You can also just try on pairs until you find your match! We suggest a great pair of oversize Chanel sunglasses, they never go out of style!

A Little White Dress White is the color of the season and there is no better way to show off your tan than in a little white dress. Look for a sheath style dress that is versatile and can take you format he office to a poolside party. You can dress up your little white dress with your bright handbag and bright heels! It’s the perfect blank canvas for color!

Millissa Mathai

Fall 2011 catwalks were filled with fabulous fashion that simply wowed the crowds. New York designers have really stepped up their game and delivered the best fashion has to offer for Fall! Be prepared to indulge yourself in gorgeous furs, striking red coats and menswear inspired tuxedo blazers come fall. Here is your cheat-sheet to fall’s hottest trends.

Menswear Inspired Pieces Menswear was everywhere at New York Fashion Week, but the designer who takes the cake on this haute trend is Jason Wu. Wu’s perfectly tailored cigarette pants and tuxedo jackets stole the show. The young designer was able to seamlessly blend delicate femininity with classic men’s silhouettes. To get in on the trend try adding a luxe blazer to your wardrobe and also invest in a pair of black cigarette pants which you can wear with everything from a white button down shirt to a glamourous party top Editor’s Pick: Jason Wu Fall 2011

Mix ‘n’ match Mixing and matching prints is definitely one of fall 2011’s hottest trends. Preen’s Fall 2011 collection shows mixing and matching prints done to perfection. To do this look right, stick with the same color family and make sure each piece has a little bit of one color. Editor’s Pick: Preen Fall 2011

The Cloak The Cloak will be a must have fashion staple for Fall 2011 designers from Rag & Bone to Derek Lam had their own take on the trend. It’s a great way to stay warm while looking put together. Look for a cloak in a dark shade with embellishments for a luxurious look. Editor’s pick: Rag & Bone Cloak

A Touch of Fur Fur was shown on many New York runways and whether you choose to wear faux fur or real fur this trend will add a touch of glamour to your outfit. Carolina Herrera showcased fabulous cashmere sweaters with fur trimmings in her collection. You can also buy a fur collar and wear it with everything from a turtleneck sweater to a little black dress. For a more dramatic look try a full length fur coat like the many seen on the catwalks of Michael Kors and Chado Ralph Rucci. Editor’s Pick: Elie Tahari Fur Collar

Longer Hem-Lines You’ll probably be eager to put away all your mini skirts after you see the beautiful new long skirts form New York designers. Prabul Gurung’s collection showcased beautiful dresses, skirts and pants which swept the floor. The best way to incorporate this trend this trend into your wardrobe is to pair a top and a floor length skirt or wide-leg pants in the same color.This look works best on tall and slim physiques. Editor’s Pick: Prabal Gurang Pink Evening Dress FW11

Lady In Red Brighten up winter’s mellow tones with a splash of red! The bright color will be a great compliment to Fall 2011’s sea of neutrals. Try a red coat or a red dress paired with a camel coat. Other colors that were popular for fall include emerald green hues and honeysuckle pink. Editor’s Pick: Victoria Beckham Red Coat Fall 2011

Millissa Mathai

Already heard? Knitwear is the next big thing! Chunky knitted capes, cardigans and sweaters are the stars this spring. So say goodbye to in-between-season jackets and hello to the new knits! Hot tip: Go for casual styling with slim jeans, a plain top and flat boots to get this Cameron Diaz’ on-trend look!

Pure White Long Tank-Top By Malene Birger Stylish long top in white cotton, soft and comfortable quality. A classic combination basic, can be worn as tank top underneath or solo, with moderate broad straps, feminine crew neck in slim and figure hugging cut, waist fitted, mini dress length. Pair with tube jeans, leather leggings, pencil skirts. Was $75.00, Now $45.00

Tempted Skinny Leg Jeans by Citizens of Humanity Stylish jeans leggings in dark blue stretch denim. Classic 5-pocket cut. Tight tube cut, as comfy as tights. Style with a glamorous tunic, rocky biker jacket or elegant cashmere sweater Price $215.00

Burnt Brown Shannon Vent Boots by Belstaff Luxurious boots in cognac-colored antique leather, hip biker meets ridingboot look. Round toe, wide knee-high shaft, slim straps, typical Belstaff, flat heel.Comfortable, robust, stylish, ideal with tube jeans, jeans mini, shift dresses, tunic dresses. Price $725.00

Antique Oro Bow Wow Wow Anabella Necklace Gold necklace with coral heart pendants from the desired limited edition by Juicy Couture. Pendant with rhinestones and bow, small logo tags and robust closure. Girlish costume jewelry, works with blouses, V-neck sweaters and shirts, adjustable length. Price $125.00

Couture designers turned into exhibitionists showcasing daringly transparent designs on the couture catwalks. From Chanel to Valentino it’s all about peek-a-boo fashion this Spring and we have the scoop on how to tone down this hot runway trend and for the real world.

A Transparent Top A very easy way to try this trend is to try a romantic sheer blouse. It’s best to pair your sheer blouse with a full nude camisole for work and daytime looks. For night you can be more daring and pair your sheer blouse with a lacy bra. If you go for the latter, make sure to also drape a beautiful cashmere shawl across your shoulder to keep the look tasteful. Zac Posen makes gorgeous transparent blouses in strong silhouettes perfect for work and play.

A Clear Bag Totally transparent handbags have been trendy in European countries and they are slowly making their way stateside. Designers like Chanel and Furla have come out with the most adorable clear handbags which make finding your keys a much easier task. Look for roomy totes with a designer logo. Try one this spring and make a statement.

An Organza Coat An organza coat is the new Spring must have and for good reasons. The effortless luxury that comes with topping a little black dress with a beautiful black organza coat is unsurpassed. It’s a great way to try the transparent trend while having a peace of mind knowing you can wear it for seasons to come. You can find great organza coats from designers like Donna Karen and Oscar De La Renta.

A Little White Dress A little white or cream dress made from transparent fabrics like chiffon and Georgette silk with embellishments is the perfect dress for summer cocktail parties. Look for dresses that are heavily embellished to hit two trends with one stone as embellishments are still super trendy. Elie Saab’s Spring couture collection showcased beautiful dresses in shades of white and nude with heavy beading, while Valentino kept it classic with sheer white dresses with elegant rose detailing.

Clear Heels Clear heels are going to be huge this Spring, designers are creating playful heels with lucite heels. To keep this look classy look for platform or short chunky heel styles, a longer heel like a stiletto in a clear material is not appropriate. You will be able to find lucite heels this summer from every designer at every price.

Millissa Mathai