Springing Fashion Forward

Based on every new spring line so far, the two huge trends this upcoming season are lace and nautical stripes. I realize that these are perennial favorites but they seem really huge this year. Here are some of the items I’ve had my eye on so far:

Nautical Stripes

Work:

Sadie Dishes- Stripes for Spring

Ann Taylor has this chic new striped sheath dress. The different panels of strips and the structured silhouette makes it a little more interesting then the standard striped shift dress that you’re seeing everywhere. This might be a must have for me. I also like this striped number from Anthro.

Weekend:

Sadie Dishes- Stripes for Spring

This is easy. Get a classic boatneck striped tee shirt. It’s basically seasonless and easy to wear around the house or pair with a jacket and jeans for day on the town. Almost every retailer has something like this but the one above is JCrew, JCrew Factory has similar options, and Loft and Gap have several comparable sweater and tee shirt versions.

Brunch:

Sadie Dishes- Stripes for Spring

This dress from Banana makes getting ready for brunch very easy. Throw it on with fun sandals and assorted jewelry and you’re all set. There are also some fun nautical shorts that would make a full outfit with the addition of a plain tee shirt.

Lace

Work:

Sadie Dishes- Lace for Spring

There are a lot of lace dresses out there, but that reads a little too wedding guest to wear to work in my opinion. I like this skirt from Ann Taylor that has geometric lace pattern, rather than something floral. I like all kinds of lace, but this fresh take seems a little more work appropriate than the all over flower patterns. Ann Taylor also has a similar version with a floral border, and a lace pencil skirt.

Weekend:

Sadie Dishes- Lace for Spring

I love a statement short, and these ones from the Loft are right on trend. The easy part is that you just need a plain tee shirt. They will add some fun to your weekend errands and outings.

Brunch:

Sadie Dishes- Lace for Spring

I love this bright lace top from Anthro. It would make a pair of jeans look so chic if you’re meeting friends for a meal on the weekend. I think you could also pair this with a simple pencil skirt and wear to work in the summer. Ann Taylor also has several lace blouses this season.

Meanwhile…

One other trend I’m curious about is deconstructed denim. I’m a little torn (pun intended) because I don’t want to buy pants with holes in them, but sometimes DC is so preppy it makes me want to buy pants with holes in them. I may have ordered these from the Gap (I got them at a discount figuring it wouldn’t be a big investment if I don’t love the outcome).

Sadie Dishes: Spring Fashion Forward

President’s Day Weekend Sales

Retailers love a three day weekend to offer good deals. Here’s what I’ve seen so far.

Gap is 20%-40% off depending on how many items you buy, with the code PRESDAY. Is it too early to stock up on shorts?

JCrew Factory is up to 60% off, prices as marked, and an extra 10% off if you buy 3 items, and 20% off if you buy 6, code ExtraExtra. Speaking of shorts

Banana Republic is 40% off with the code BRFIT, I’ve been eyeing this blazer.

Athleta is an extra 20% off sale items with the code Extra20. One on my faves.

Ann Taylor is 30% off new styles and an extra 50% off sale, code: Love. I need this.

Loft is 40% off “wear now” styles and an extra 50% off sale, no code. Some good basics on sale.

Anthropologie is an extra 40% off items in the sale section with the code: Extra40. You might not be able to live without this.

JCrew is up to an extra 40% off sale items with the code ShopSale. Love this.

Pottery Barn is 20% off everything with the code: Friends. How about this?

Crate and Barrel is 20% all things bed related. My style.

West Elm has assorted offers going on. Love.

Nine West is 30% off “Spring faves” and 20% off clearance. Just my luck, these aren’t on sale but I love them a lot.

Nordstrom’s winter clearance starts today!

Sadie Dishes- President's Weekend Sales

These Nine West flats are a need not a want.

 

Hits and Misses

I’ve been on a little bit of a wallet lock down lately between buying holiday presents and saving for some bigger purchases, but here are a few recent yays and nays for me.

Hits

Sadie Dishes- Toms Avalon Slip Ons

I always have a pair of “commuting shoes” that are lightweight flats that keep me comfy to and from work and keep my high heels from getting unnecessarily worn down. They get a decent amount of wear so I try to pick something inexpensive because they typically last about six months. I recently replaced my last pair of classic Toms with these Avalon Slip-Ons. They are a most substantial version of the classic that fit more like the classic Vans style sneaker slip-ons that are making such a big comeback right now. I love them! They are metallic, a.k.a. neutral, and the sole is a lot more cushioned and supportive than the classic Toms. Winner!

Sadie Dishes- Athleta Sports Bra

I’ve been between favorite sports bras ever since Nike retired the style that I like. (Isn’t that the worst!?) So I was excited to try this new silhouette from Athleta because they billed it as “high impact.” I don’t think this is my new absolute favorite, but it does provide some advantages that I’ve been looking for. Chief among them- it has decent support, and pretty good all around coverage in the front (no excessive cleavage which is kind of a foreign concept for me) . What you can’t see in the above picture is the back has a cool design. It’s a great option to pair with some of the skimpier strappy work out tops.

Sadie Dishes- Hits and Misses

This season it seems like every sweater is oversized and kind of sloppy. I was having trouble finding sweaters that are work appropriate, so I was happy when I found this mini cable knit sweater from Ann Taylor. It’s a great light/mid weight, and it’s very easy to pair with a pencil skirt or slacks for work. I think the mini cable knit adds a little bit of interest and gives you more of an “outfit” rather than just wearing a plain merino sweater.

Misses

Sadie Dishes- Hits and Misses

I ordered this shirt online during one of Ann Taylor’s sales. I was really excited about it because I have several draped/ruched long sleeves that I love and wear all the time. This one- not so much. It was not flattering on me. It accentuated my bust which is like bringing sand to the beach, and the draping just looked awkward. This might help add curves where there are none, but I am all set in that department. I wanted to love it but it’s a return for sure.

West Elm‘s customer service: Ugh. I hyped West Elm a lot in my gift guide posts and I’m a big fan of their general aesthetic, but this holiday season I had a lot of trouble with them. I ordered several items for multiple people on my gift list several weeks before Christmas, all had delivery dates well in time for Christmas. Long story short, two items ordered on December 5th and with a delivery date of December 18th showed up several days after Christmas. And one item that showed up just in time on Christmas Eve was monogrammed incorrectly and required returning. This fiasco included several calls to the customer service line, several promises for Christmas delivery that were not kept, with no attempt at accommodation just a lot of the word “sorry.” Was I offered compensation or discounts for any of these late or incorrect items? No. They simply shifted blame to their shipping operation. At the end of the day, due to no planning fault of my own, I was down three presents on Christmas day and it seemed like West Elm could care less.

Anything you’re loving or returning right now?