Stylish spring and summer

Shades of blue at Clad in. /PHOTOS | IRINA MISSIUROFashion is a conundrum. It changes constantly. By the time you figure out what’s in style, it’s already out. Except black and white – that’s always in. So, when you see a particularly enchanting dress on that sale rack, beware that it’s past its expiration date. Yet, if you are willing to wait, you and your wallet will be rewarded – since fashion is cyclical, the trend will reappear sooner or later.

If, however, you are a creature of the moment, you might be used to the dilemma familiar to all fashionistas – should you splurge on a piece of clothing that will become irrelevant in no time?

The trick is to find items that have some elements of the trend while maintaining a classy and timeless look.

For instance, a number of 2015 spring designer collections show dresses with feathers. If you can’t envision yourself pulling off a black swan look, you can always substitute fringe. Fringe is huge at the moment, and you don’t have to listen to any teasing clucking sounds from loved ones. The same goes for the floral motif – the pattern is extremely popular right now, but it doesn’t mean you have to wear something that looks like a sheet. Find a dress with large, abstract-looking flowers that evoke the Mad Men era.

So, if you are leafing through fashion magazines and find yourself getting nervous that you can’t pull off  the crop tops that are on nearly every page, put your mind at ease. You don’t have to follow each trend. Every professional interviewed for this story expressed in one form or another this bit of advice: wear what looks good on you!

Jiro Darakian, owner of Milan Fine Clothiers on Wayland Avenue in Providence, dismisses the idea of trends altogether, relegating the practice of following the latest fashions to the younger crowd. Who else is going to wear baby doll dresses, mesh tops and industrial jumpsuits that were all over the runways? Instead of letting the designers dictate your outfits, he suggests modifying the current trend to remain true to yourself.

He believes that your outfit has to work with your complexion, eyes and hair – otherwise, you’re not doing yourself any favors. “If something doesn’t fit you, it’s going to take attention away from you.” Darakian points out that clothes shouldn’t overpower you. The way to recognize that’s happening is to wait for someone to compliment an item in your wardrobe. That means that the clothing looks better than you. Aim for “You look great!” instead of “Your jacket is great!”

In Darakian’s store, you can find plenty of impeccably sewn lightweight suits and separates in tropical wool to wear this spring and summer. All women’s suits are handmade in Portugal, and all men’s – in Montreal. After 38 years of tailoring, Darakian knows what makes a high-quality suit. When he opened the store nine years ago, he stocked it with his favorite items. Browsing the accessories, you’ll stumble upon touches of the latest trends to enhance your look. The leather bracelets, colorful ’60s-inspired cufflinks and whimsical pocket squares and boutonnieres will complement your stylish image.

Franklin Rogers on Westminster Street in Providence is another store where you’ll find elegant suits to wear this season. This shop is also big on the details. Since bowties are trendy again, the place stocks multiple styles and colors. Can’t figure out which bright spring tie goes with which shirt? Check out their prepared pairings. Accustomed to rocking a hat in the summer? Find one among the Stetson and Bailey gentleman’s selection. More importantly, the store offers free tailoring so that you will look your best self. Remember, perfect fit is always in style!

Florence Voccola, owner of F. Bianco, a boutique on Waterman Street in Providence, also provides custom tailoring. She thinks that a woman should only wear clothes she’s comfortable in, saying that by dressing right for your body, you are making your clothes trendy. You will look and feel great, inspiring others to wear similar outfits. Voccola likes minimal jewelry, believing that less is more when it comes to accessories. She thinks that a clean, basic look is always fashionable and considers hair to be a woman’s most important accessory.

F. Bianco’s offerings reflect this ideology. The clothing looks not only timeless but also multiseasonal. For example, Voccola carries stylish gaucho pants in various lengths, fabrics and colors. She also has Joe’s boyfriend jean – her biggest seller. The stretchy material and the ideal 9-inch rise might have something to do with the item’s popularity.

A couple of doors away, Asa Orsino, individual style consultant at Clad in, Providence, concurs that denim is back. While they don’t sell jeans, the store is full of blues, “the new neutral.” She says that fashion is becoming stricter, with women abandoning unconstructed and casual styles and favoring more upscale classic selections in natural fabrics such as a blazer with nautical influences.

And don’t forget the accessories! A glass cabinet displays statement jewelry that can make the outfit. Orsino advises that scarves, earrings, necklaces and belts are a crucial part of enhancing your look because they allow you to express your individuality. She says that women should always make sure that they are wearing the clothes and not vice versa. 

Elizabeth Day Lawrence, Clad in’s co-owner, buyer and merchandiser, agrees. “At Clad in, we curate and offer designer fashion throughout the world to help women develop their own personal style. Our emphasis is less on the ebb and flow of the latest seasonal trends and more on helping women of all sizes and shapes develop an individual look that is timeless with an imaginative flair.”

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about shoes – the most loved items of a woman’s wardrobe. Why? Because they always fit! They make your legs look more elegant; they show off your new pedicure and they cushion your tired soles. Or should we say souls?

Brenda Bedrick, co-owner of Mel & Me in Garden City, suggests we celebrate the warm weather with shoes. “We waited, and we can finally see the ground and blooming flowers. It’s time to be playful with the colors and shapes, and shoes are a way to express that playfulness. Lace it, wedge it, color it, fringe it. Spring has sprung.”

IRINA MISSIURO is a writer and editorial consultant for The Jewish Voice.