Bold Colors for Spring

Even though it’s snowing out right now, my mind is on spring. While it may bring allergies, spontaneous garage cleanouts, and my sister’s birthday (she is the HARDEST person to shop for!), it also brings warmer weather, shorter skirts, and a brighter palette.

This spring, one trend is bold colors, where clothing in classic, feminine silhouettes lets the color of the fabric take center stage. I think a lot of women are afraid of bold colors or prints, particularly plus size women. Bold colors make you stand out from the crowd and I think that scares some women. But bold colors can easily be worked into your wardrobe without fear. I'm not a stylist or a fashion designer, this is just one girl's humble opinion. I'll show you some examples of boldly colored plus size garments and say how I'd style them.

In compiling this list, I drew inspiration from an article at Harper’s Bazaar, and I reference it a few times: Top Spring Trends New York

Lane Bryant Rolled-cuff Striped Sweater : Lane Bryant has lots of lovely colorful pieces that have just been added to their website for spring. I like this one in particular because the bright stripes are very playful and springy, but it’s also a sweater, and at least here (the pacific northwest) spring tends to be quite chilly. Pair it with a solid bottom, either in black or white, or in a bright color matching one of the stripes for a younger look, like a pink skirt or teal trousers. This would also be a good Office look, either over a pair of black slacks, or tucked into a black pencil skirt, and worn with a pair of brightly colored heels in a matching color. $54.95

ASOS curve Green Top ($43.10) and Red Dress ($20.65): ASOS’ curve line has many bright colors. Unfortunately, they tend to be rather pricey, so I’m also posting a selection from their clearance, though it’s sold out of two sizes. I love this green top because its silhouette is reminiscent of the 70s, with flowy “waterfall” sleeves, but it’s also so simple. The color is so luminescent that it’s a statement in itself, and the top is something that could just be thrown over a pair of leggings or jeans. As for the dress, it also has a bit of 70s – the V-Notch neck and empire-seam are both popular details from that age; in fact, I think I have a dress similar to it in my vintage sewing pattern collection. The silhouette is classic pencil – very feminine and good for curves, and really makes the color the centerpiece. Throw it on just like the model has it – with black tights and pumps – for an easily chic spring outfit.

Dorothy Perkins Scallop Ponte Dress – this dress is vaguely reminiscent of photo 12 in the Harper’s Bazaar slideshow I linked to - a stiff, boxy, bright orange shift dress. I think this is a much more wearable alternative. Dorothy Perkins’ items go up to a UK22/US20. This dress is very 60s, another trend for spring, and adorable. I’d wear it with just a pair of sandals, and Spanx-style shorts under if your thighs chafe like mine. Target and Avenue sell generic Spanx shapewear in plus sizes. Shorts like these are my lifesavers when it gets too warm to wear tights. The DP dress is 32 Pounds

One Stop Plus/Roaman’s Chiffon Camisole: I’m a big fan of bright pink, but I know a lot of women aren’t; This top also comes in bright “Crystal Blue”. It has so many pretty, springtime details – the lace, the embroidered trim, and the sheer overlay – all of these details have been seen on runways for Spring/Summer ’11. This top is also super wearable – pair it with slacks, jeans or leggings and it will stand out. $39.99

Isaac Mizrahi at QVC: I really like Isaac Mizrahi’s commitment to bringing fashion to the average woman. His target line was great (and, the last I checked, gone now) and so is his QVC line. I loved the idea of a bright trench for spring (inspiration: the Tommy Hilfiger trench, photo 15). This one also comes in bright green and bright orange, and of course the classics black and beige (but what fun is that? Lots of people wear black and beige trench coats. Don’t you want to be the girl that everybody looks at saying, wow, look at her, I love her colorful coat!). Another feature is the fun polka dot lining. I just love a coat with a good lining that looks pretty hanging on the back of a chair or in your closet. $98.40

Colorful Basics: Of course, bright colors don’t have to be a statement piece. It’s easy to work a hint of springtime hue into your wardrobe with a colorful tee or camisole. For the best colorful basics that won’t set you back much, I recommend JC Penney’s Worthington Lace Cami for between $10-$15 in a whole rainbow of colors, Old Navy for many styles of tees in bright colors for about $15, and Forever21+’s Basic Plain Camisoles for only $3.50!

Afterthought: A Musing on Horizontal Stripes and The Fashion Rules

It is my Firm Opinion that anybody can wear horizontal stripes. I don’t believe that fashion can – or should – make any woman look skinnier than she really is. Throw the traditional rules of fashion out the window. Wear bold prints, wear shorts if your legs are fat, wear sleeveless tops if your arms are flabby. Flaunt your favorite parts, but don’t caught up hiding what society says it doesn’t want to see. You don’t want to be the girl or woman who’s “fashionable even though she’s fat”. You want to be the girl or woman who’s “so fashionable and confident.” The plus size industry needs to stop the rhetoric of skinny as perfect, and fat as bad, with clothing items meant to “slim” our bulges, or styles meant to create an “illusion” that you’re thinner than you are, or “draw the eye away from problem areas”. It’s okay to be skinny, skinny is beautiful too. But thin is a descriptor, not a goal.