After a long and seemingly endless winter, spring is really going to happen. Honest. It’s around the corner. There’s just no telling how far away that corner is.
To be ready for the spring fashion trends, local boutique owners share what they have to offer in their shops to beat back winter and welcome spring with open arms.
Fig Leaf, 345 Bluff St.
“We carry so much that we consider ourselves a lifestyle store,” said Rylynn McQuillen, owner and designer of Fig Leaf. “Not only do we carry clothing sizes small to 3X and bottoms 1-13 and 14-28, we carry shoes, jewelry, luxurious bath products including French soaps, bath salts, lotions and candles. We also carry men’s shaving, grooming, cologne and accessories.”
Hot new fashion trends
• Bell bottoms.
• Wide-legged pants.
• High rise skirts, pants and jeans, featuring paper-bag waistlines with ties and details.
• Kimonos. (Add a lacy camisole under a kimono for a very feminine touch.)
• Tie-front tops.
Colors
• Mustard and olive tones, while usually fall colors, are being shown for spring.
• Pastels.
• Living Coral is Pantone’s Color of the Year. It’s showing up in clothing, shoes and accessories.
• Oranges, yellows, blues — the typical summer palette.
• Leopard print is a staple.
Fabrics
• Modal fabric is such a soft fabrication for shirts and shirt dresses. It’s an easy fabric to pack and to throw on when traveling.
• 100 percent cotton dresses — flowy, easy and comfortable for the hot months ahead.
• Denim in everything, from hats to jumpsuits with frayed, shark-bite and uneven hemlines.
Accessories
• Shoes, including mules, bohemian flats and foot apparel made with see through materials.
• Fashion sneakers (not athletic sneakers) to pair with skirts and dresses.
• Espadrilles and wedges are a staple.
Handbags
• Fun shapes, such as circles and the use of clear plastic.
• Fanny packs.
• Basket materials.
• Backpack purses.
• Fold-over design work.
Jewelry
• Designs featuring coins and geometric shapes.
What decade is making a comeback?
“In the 1960s, bell bottoms first debuted,” McQuillen said. “In the 1970s, palazzo pants were the craze. Bell bottoms pushed back through in the early 2000s. For spring 2019, we will see a mix of 1960s and 1970s bottoms with 1990s details, such as the fanny pack, crop tops and sneakers.”
Trendsetters, 3430 Dodge St.
“Trendsetters is a boutique that offers clothing that fits a real woman’s body and a real woman’s daily life,” said owner Desirae Gillies. “We know how important comfort is when shopping for an outfit and we strive to provide trendy pieces as well as basics that can transition through changes in seasons, lifestyles and milestones. We offer a variety of brands, including our own Estella Rae brand.”
Hot new fashion trends
• Flared jeans.
• Longer board shorts and biker shorts.
• Tailored silhouettes and suits.
Lots of ruffles, ruched treatments and bows.
Colors
• Coral is the hottest color for spring.
• Warm tones, such as olives and mustard.
• Bright colors, including oranges and reds, and magenta.
• Neutrals such as navy, browns and tans.
Fabrics
• Bold spring plaids.
• Animal prints.
• Camouflage.
• Stripes.
• Florals.
• Polka dots.
Accessories
• Shoes, including mules.
Jewelry
• Dainty pieces.
• Coin necklaces.
What decade is making a comeback?
“There is a lot of inspiration from many eras, especially the 1960s with the bold prints, flared/boot-cut pants, boho style tops and light weight fabrics,” Gillies said. “The 1970s for high-waisted pants and skirts, patchwork denim and patchwork tops, and all of the ruffles. There is the 1980s for the bright colors, shorter tops and biker-style shorts.”
Dirt Road Darlings Boutique, 2600 Dodge St.
“A dirt road darling is a woman raised on country values — the sweetheart girl next door, but she can take care of herself,” said owner Tracy Gloeckner. “We focus on convertible clothing that goes from day to night with the switch of shoes and accessories. We carry name brands like Staccato tops and dresses, Silver Jeans, Rocket Dog shoes, Not Rated sandals and booties and CC brand headwear. We also sell the 100 percent natural Noyah lip products. Interesting fact: Did you know you eat 8-10 pounds of lip product in your lifetime? Make it natural.”
Hot new fashion trends
• Flared pants.
• Flowy culottes.
• Knee-length midi dresses.
Colors
• Vibrant marigolds and yellows.
• Mint green.
• Bright hues.
• Color blocking of combined colors.
Fabrics
• Easy care fabrics, including cottons, polyesters and rayons mixed with a small percentage of spandex to give you the comfort and flow you need in an active lifestyle.
Accessories
• Shoes and hats, including chunky sneakers, peep toes, CC pony baseball caps with a pony tail opening and over-sized hats for sun protection.
Handbags
• Cross body bags.
• Basket bags.
• Animal print bags.
Jewelry
• Leather and cork, especially in earrings.
• Long necklaces, with tassels or geometric shapes.
What decade is making a comeback?
“The new styles show a hint of the 1990s, especially in jeans, with flares and boot cuts,” Gloeckner said. “Jeans never go out of style, whether they are skinnies, flared, baggy, boot, straight or ankle jeans.”
Jill Carlson is a freelance writer from Madison, Wis.
