#fashiontrends Archives - Northern California Style

Hello my lovely friends. I thought I’d veer off the usual topic today and go a little crazy with some spring dresses. This week I made a decision to thoroughly shut down the news and did a deep dive into books, good shows and it’s been somewhat restorative.. The pretty California weather this week has really helped my mood. I also cut out the nightly ice cream habit my husband had gotten us into since quarantine and even began a little ballet workout besides my two walks. Maybe it’s spring and the lighter days, but is anyone else feeling some optimism? Even the announcement that we will be doing this for another month was fine with us. I don’t think we are eager to give up this slower pace of life just yet.

In my happier mindset I gathered a few dresses to consider. I know some of you said you’d be open to looking at some spring fashions also. We will be out and about someday soon. Why not get the closet cleaned out while you have time and add a pretty thing to look forward to wearing?

I have not done any shopping except for a few books since I’ve been in. I just wasn’t in that mindset, but doing this post I realized retailers are hurting now. Clothing is dramatically reduced now and you may get a dress for a song. Most of the items linked here are on some sort of sale, so look for the sale codes.

This simple shift dress at Anthropologie caught my eye. The texture, simplicity and pockets make it a cute dress for running about in warmer weather. I would love this with brown leather flat sandals, hoop earrings and a ponytail- the look many moms wore summer days in the 1970’s. It’s classic chic and perfect for a BBQ or date night.

I was attracted to the print on this blue midi dress. This looks so easy to throw on and I’d pair it with a crochet tote and some slides and you could be set for lunch out or a candlelit dinner at your own abode.

If you don’t have a midi-dress this is the season to try one. I personally like the shirtdress style of this Anthro dress below, which feels like everyday wear and can even be worn with boots in cooler months. The pattern is particularly cute and retro. Most of the Anthro dresses come in options for plus sizing and many in petite.

I have always love Marimekko patterns since I was young and this tunic would be a classic to keep for years. It can be worn without the belt for more of a shift look.

Madewell has this cute wrap midi dress and it’s sweet.

I’m a fan of denim dresses and Madewell has a lot of them now. This one is my favorite, but check them all out here.

This linen shift by Tory Burch has retro detailing.

Back in February, I ran to Target to get paper towels and found this white denim dress at the same time I found that cute top from the previous post. I snapped this pic in the dressing room, but it shows how cute this is for a inexpensive dress. It comes in plus sizes also. I bought a size medium so it was a little longer and not tight. It’s sitting waiting on a hook in the closet, but I know it’ll get some wear this summer.

As long as we are at Target, I also love the red of this long dress. It comes in a black with polka dots also. I just think this would be cute for poolside or out to dinner with a big beaded necklace.

Anthro’s shift dress has a fun California boho feel.

This pretty Diane Von Furstenburg dress is in silk and is something that would flatter most any body type. I’m also just in love with the blue tone and roses.

Something about this little print crepe dress is so appealing. I love the necklines and sleeves and the green botanicals.

I think white is such a flattering color and everyone should have one pretty summer white dress in the closet. This See by Chloe dress is charming with its ruffle cuffs.

This J. Crew shirtdress would be a top ten in my closet during summer with its pockets and you could add a belt to change it up. Right now it’s 40% off with code SPRING.

I keep going back to this red floral dress also by J. Crew. I love the ruffled collar and again casual feel with the pockets. This comes in black as well and is the thing we could all use to pop on and go.

This halter dress from loft is darling.

Trina Turk also has a cute halter style with its Sunglasses Dress. Love this print and the yellows.

I also fell in love with this Doen number..

A woven tote or purse is another thing to think about adding charm to spring looks. This Bali Classic Tote caught my eye..

I adore a delicate flat sandal and this Daydream Strappy Sandal ticks all the boxes here..

I hope you find this a little hopeful and distracting right now with all that is happening. I have also been requested to do a jeans and white button-up post..so that is coming! This week I plan to get to my closet and began pulling out my spring things and see what is a keeper and what’s to go.

I finally shared a video tour of our bathroom remodel on my Instagram if you want to check it out. I’ll be doing a post soon on all the materials. Please follow along on Instagram where I post daily and for fun, Pinterest.

Hoping you are all coping okay and taking care of yourselves. A lot of us are also doing double duty caring for an extended family group. It can be a lot, so be good to yourself and take time for you, so you don’t get run down.

Kim

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Today I am fortunate to join a stylish group of bloggers for a fall fashion link up! The theme is trends you can actually wear- not the dramatic things on the runway, but items to make you look good and feel current going into fall.

Who doesn’t love to get a few new things for fall? I still call it Back to School shopping! I love this whole time of year and have many good memories of shopping with my mom for new school clothes. I suffered through many a torrid September school day just to wear a new argyle sweater or plaid wool skirt. Californians know of what I speak!

With that in mind, I tried to find something transitional, for those of us who reside in the warmer climes. We have cool mornings and evenings in fall and sometimes very warm days so we have to rely on layers.

This year leopard is big. Yes it’s still a thing- so if you haven’t added a piece with leopard to your wardrobe, well it’s time. Something about a leopard piece can give you a little extra style cred when added to your look. Right now there’s a lot out there so keep your eyes open for a cool piece to mingle with your regular items.

I scored two leopard items last week that can be used in early fall!

I spotted this Rachel Zoe blazer, above and I’m a huge blazer person. Blazers make you look trim and tailored and are versatile for travel. A well dressed gal needs a few in the closet. Don’t be afraid to go bold with a leopard print in this. It’s a nice change from the usual navy and won’t go out of style. A lot of people say leopard is a neutral and I agree when it’s not worn head to toe. I think mixing this frilly white blouses is unexpected. The cool part is the juxtaposition of the feminine lace and the punky leopard.

My other leopard item is a wool poncho made in Italy. A poncho is another must in the closet. I have several and no matter when I wear them, other women give me compliments. Personally, I love the way they look chic with little effort except throwing them on over a comfy t-shirt. You can wear them as a top all day- which I do in winter, or just as a wrap. They are the ultimate travel item as they can be your airplane blanket and a versatile topper in many kinds of weather. I never travel without one.

By the way I love these jeans, they are Paige and aren’t supposed to stretch out yet are super comfy. My sandals are from Everlane. Also very comfy.

This one is wool and I like it best with grey or white jeans and a pair of strappy flat sandals to look a bit California and boho in early fall. When it gets cooler, pairing a poncho with boots is always a great luxe look. Here I put it with my plaid Burberry bag because I like the mix of the two prints in similar tones. Cashmere versions are even nicer for summer and fall and can be small enough to shove in your purse. I have one of these topper versions that I just took to London.

Another trend is mixing leopard with camo or snake prints in any which way. It’s almost like interiors now- you can’t go wrong if you putting it together, just have a common thread like color and size of the print.

This is a little more unexpected, but I put my favorite old camo pants with the blazer and snakeprint slides..Something for a very casual day as the pants are pretty beat. Try mixing things up and things you would generally never put together. You’ll see a lot of this on the runways and magazines. Can you tell my tall son took this photo?

One way to find your style is to play dress-up at home and see what works when you have some free time. Do this before you shop with what you already own. Use your phone and take pictures of outfits in a mirror that look cool and save them in a fall looks folder to refer back to when you are feeling uninspired and are tempted to pull on the same old standbys.

Both pieces were lucky scores last week at T.J. Max. I went looking for baskets for my laundry room, of course got lucky with clothes. You just have to keep an open mind when shopping there. If I went for clothes, no doubt I would have gone home empty handed!

Similar leopard blazer here at Bloomingdales. Other leopard print blazers- here and here. Could not find a match for the poncho, but a pretty leopard wrap/poncho here... and I’m in love with this leopard pj set at Anthro!

Now pop on over and see what these other stylish gals have in store for you. I can’t wait to see what they pull together. I always get inspired from other bloggers more than anyplace else.

Brenda-1010 Park Place

Brenda-Brenda Kinsel

Mary Ann-Classic Casual Home

Annie-Most Lovely Things

Kim-Northern California Style

Cindy-Rough Luxe

Janet-The Gardeners Cottage

Susan-Une Femme d’un Certain Age

Here’s to fall friends.. the pumpkin spice lattes are en route and cannot come soon enough!

Kim