#springupdate Archives - Northern California Style

Hello how was your week? I had time this week to sit on the couch and soak in my More Beautiful book by Mark D. Sikes and it inspired what I already wanted to write about this week.. the resurgence of all things pretty in fashion and in home furnishings. Have you noticed it too?

It’s being called Grand Millennial style in home sector -the resurgence of florals, gingham, ruffles, scallops, quilted bits and painted furniture.. It’s been coming on big in the interiors front, but now it has fully trickled down to most clothing retailers for spring and summer with pretty, feminine patterns and florals, soft shapes, pale colors and romantic looks.

In clothing, and in home textiles, block print textiles- whose origins are centuries old from Rjasthan, India, have become very popular. The technique involves fabric printing with intricately carved wooden blocks and the NYTimes did a great piece on it here. The naive look of the repeated patterns is quite sweet..

Puff sleeves, squared collars, midi-lengths, gingham, woven, braided and quilted looks are all in this trend of innocent looks making a comeback. Things your mom or grandmother wore or had at home are looking fresh again.

Perhaps this is a kind of backlash to the last few years and the strife in politics and the world, but fashion trends usually happen after such things. Bottom line- people are looking for comfort, pretty and soft right now..I have to say, I do love it and Mark D. Sikes was ahead of everyone on all this.. I’m hugely inspired by his lovely rooms and want to wallpaper everything now!

Remember this bag Princess Diana carried? I believe it was a Pierre Deux, and even though I was a 14 year old, I wanted one really badly. I finally got one in blue with pink roses and wore it out! I know there have always been quilted bag sellers over the years- April Cornell and Vera Bradley, to name two, but now the ‘cool’ brands are selling them too.

The fabric (sometimes quilted), bag is officially back and it’s the anti-logo bag. It’s something anyone can have or even sew and for summer it’s soft, weighs nothing and is easy to travel with. Straw bags are darling, but they can often be tough to lug on a holiday..

This cloth tote is from SZ Blockprints at Anthropologie

This tote is by Loeffler Randall and is their Avery Floral Weekender. . Love the outer pocket.

This sweet shoulder bag is by Faithfull.

This little quilted tote by Antik Batik come-on a pretty blue version too.

This clutch is by Cleobella and comes in pink too.

Etsy has some shops with many variations on the quilted bag with block prints..This cute bag is one from this shop.

This Jaipur shop has more..and also darling bedcovers and baby quilts!!

I just was delivered this cute bag from Sezane, my favorite French retailer. It’s a weekender sized large travel tote. I honestly thought it was a handbag size..It’s VERY large. I love the print. Deciding on whether to keep or not..

Sezane has a lot of quilted bags like this, many currently sold out, but and makeup and toiletries bags if you’re looking for a sweet gift from France.

Some of the fun fashions coming from this trend…

Are you all familiar with DOEN? This is a fantastic California brand that works hard to support manufacturing processes that are fair in the U.S. and abroad and makes it a priority to work with women owned factories and businesses. More about them here. They have the loveliest things including children’s clothes. Love this Elba top.. part of their current Superbloom Sale.

This Anthro dress is so summer..This block print comes in other versions and colors.

I also love this Gingham Cover-up dress.

How about this Loeffler Randall Woven Tote with gingham scarf?

Comes in a chocolate and tan versions too..

This pink J. Crew dress is darling.

This beautiful dress is a cotton from India at Bloomies.

Emerson Fry has an India Collection with block printed fabrics. I love the blues in the Basalie Dress..

This Heirloom Dress is really cute.

I also love this pink dress that has a belt, but can double as a caftan.

I’m not usually a romper fan, but this version by Cleobella is fun.

Old Navy has some cotton versions of the block print look with this blue smocked tie shoulder top..

And this black Old Navy floral print tiered dress has that same feel..

J. Crew has some sweet shorts in Liberty prints.. I especially love this one. I’d pair it with a pretty white blouse.

Of course Tory Burch has a darling new sandal and her Summer ’21 line that mimics the popularity of all things woven and lattice.. It’s showing up in home decor and in clothes.

J. Crew also has their version of this lattice look in a cute tote in many colors..

Back to the cotton prints.. Mango has many block print type dresses and this easy dress in red and a dark blue that is a great summer throw on or beach dress for $59..

And they have this one..

And this cute gingham number..

Mango has braided Raffia Strapped Sandals -so chic.

J. Crew has many things in the new square neckline.. Their Cottage Dress comes in a few different prints..

More square neckline tops too..

Emerson Fry has the Laurent blouse also made in India.

I hope you found something you love. If not, you’ll at least notice these trends and especially appreciate the block prints that are from India. The authentic ones are quite beautiful!

While we are appreciating these beautiful textiles from India, (so much of the world’s beautiful products come from there), I can’t not mention the charities that are all still needing funds to help there with the terrible Covid crisis. Many families are suffering and have lost so much. Please consider helping if you are able.. Oxygen for India is one group delivering oxygen for free, International Medical Corps in on the ground helping in so may ways, and UNICEF is also helping with supplies.

Thanks so much,

Kim

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Today I’m so excited to join six other lovely ladies to share some fashion ideas to help you get a jump-start on your spring style. Each person did a spring style subject of their own choosing. I can’t wait to pop over and see what each one has in store for us!

Recently I’ve cleared out the closet and even sadly dusted some of my clothes. I’m sure most people can relate given the past year. I do think it’s been a lesson on just how many clothes we all own and what we now feel we can live without and also what we truly want to wear. When organizing and cleaning your closet, look at what you DO love! Make a list of things that you wear repeatedly, always love and that flatter you. Choose accordingly when you shop. I noticed I am always drawn to things like printed pants, but rarely wear them and the same with busy tops.

This process has made me see the things I really wear again and again, over the years are mainly classics of some variation or other. In spring that means good white jeans, pretty blouses, comfortable dresses, a lightweight jacket and flat sandals for me.

Maybe instead of buying a whole lot of new, buy less and pick better basics! Some things everyone can use this season:

-Some good white jeans (like discussed in this post)

-A new pair of blue jeans in an updated shape

-A well made sandal that will upgrade everything

-A nice quality white blouse

– A couple inexpensive dresses ( maybe a long and a short)

-A tote or cross-body in a lightweight fabric or straw.

With that list in mind, I added a few things to my closet this spring – An eyelet blouse a beautifully made classic from J.Crew. It comes with a light shell liner with snaps to attach it. ( It’s on sale now with an extra 50% too, a great deal for this regularly $110 blouse.) The different styles of eyelet on this give it a fun element, but eyelet will always be a spring and summer classic. (For those who asked I bought a size 6, which feels just right with some room for a bit of stretch for my size 5’4- 130ish for some indication of how the numbered sizes run. )

I wore it with my white jeans and black accessories for a transitional spring look. My J. Crew white vintage straight leg jeans are still looking great after buying these last summer.

I also added these new wide leg cropped jeans from Banana Republic. I wear my jeans a ton and I like this thicker no stretch pair that will give a updated look to all I already own like this denim shirt. These are also on sale now and come in petite, which we right for 5’4 me, – also in regular and tall.

I also added this sweet blouse from World Market. They have some pretty tops and coverups!

Once again I couldn’t resist the stripes and love the ruffles and embroidery. They have quite a few cute ones.

In the ‘buy better’ category I bought these Tory Burch Cloud sandals I had my eye on for sometime. They have the support of a Birkenstock type shoe and I love the blue denim color. They also come in white, tan, a pretty yellow and black. Every Tory Burch item I have ever bought I still own and that says a lot. I love the quality of her things. We could all use more of those kind of items in our closets.

My cross-body is honestly almost 10 years old or so – also Tory, and the closest they have now is this cutie in brown and black. I love the tassel and size for your phone and sunglasses.

In lightweight tote category, I spotted this striped cutie when buying the jeans. I don’t have a fabric tote and as I always love stripes, it’s a classic in this black/cream that it will go with so much. Also the new Banana Republic Cozy Slub long sleeve t’s are excellent. I love the one I have here in black are a perfect fit in medium and beautiful quality. I am going to buy white too. A good basic to have in the wardrobe.

My jeans here are a classic and one of my favorites for their straight leg fit and mid-rise. The Reese Straight Leg Kut from the Kloth. I have them in petite and they hit at the right place. Mine are a few years older and they have updated the hem. The sandals are a few seasons older from Everlane, but J. Crew has some thin leather ones that are similar.. I have them in white too and they run true to size.

I have also been looking for a lightweight jacket and noticed everyone wearing oversized blazers now, which looks so great. I have been rummaging through my son’s closets, but none are quite long enough. I found this black linen blazer that is machine washable and has a cute light blue collar you can pop-up. I will dress it up with dresses and skirts and down with my jeans and t-shirts. The longer and oversized look is fun and current.

Here I just threw it over my shoulder. It’s a versatile piece.

On a trip to Target, I spied two dresses that were pretty and fun. I find myself wearing dresses so much in the warm months. For everyday spring and summer, Target items seem to always be current, have pockets and wear well too. I found this maxi dress in a soft blue ( again kind of a theme here) stripe and thought this would be great for Easter, for weekends and even as a cover-up.

This tie-dye dress was so cute I grabbed it on the way out. This runs small and I bought a large. I love the gauze fabric. It might be my going out dress when the time comes again! It also comes in a lovely blue version!

Well that’s my fashion ramblings and philosophy – clean your closet, buy less and classics that update what you already own. A few new dresses are a nice seasonal thing to add as well and give you a little lift!

Please visit these fellow bloggers and see what they have for you in spring fashion ideas…

Classic Casual Home

Cindy Hattersley Design

I also wanted to say thanks to all of you who stopped by and left comments on the last Californians at Home Post featuring my friend Elizabeth’s home. I never have had so many comments on a post so thank you and thanks Elizabeth!

Kim

Links may sometimes generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.