Spring Fashion Trends: April's Must-Haves

Ahoy! – We love a sailor striped shirt for late spring and early summer. It’s a perfect way to channel a nautical vibe in an incredibly chic way. This classic striped sailor’s shirt is extremely versatile, too. Pair with a pleated midi skirt, lady like pumps and a cardigan for the office, or patterned jeans and a tailored blazer for date night. Or, for a casual weekend look, we love this striped shirt paired with cropped trousers and a pointy-toe flat or espadrille – palm beach perfection.

Deco Glam – We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again – we love Art Deco style jewelry! These glamorous black and gold graphic statement earrings add a touch of vintage cool to any outfit. Be sure to wear your hair in an unfussy up-do to show them off and keep the look modern.

Boucle Nouveau – April’s updated boucle jackets are a tongue-in-cheek recall to the classic Chanel jacket. The modern construction and edgy details like chunky brass zippers make these jackets a perfect way to add a layer of funky-preppy goodness to any outfit – and to shield yourself from April’s sometimes irregular weather. We think Coco would approve.

More Mint – Mint is the breakout trend of spring 2012! It’s not going anywhere anytime soon, and we are A-okay with that. While you can add a dash of mint anywhere in your wardrobe, we highly recommend doing so with a pair of fresh, fun and very fashionable skinny jeans.

Drop Waist Jaw-Dropper – 1920’s style strikes again! We’ve been seeing Gilded Age glamour all over the runways since last fall, and the drop waist silhouette is one of its trademarks. We like this Alice + Olivia sequined dress for its playful vibe – that modern touch keeps it from venturing into costume party territory. Pair this with neon pumps and your pre-summer tan to drop it like it’s hot.

Gesundheit! – Should your allergies be averse to all that’s in bloom this month, you won’t have to look far for a handkerchief. Although we don’t actually recommend using this gorgeous hankie-print dress for that purpose. This print, also known as a scarf print, is one of the biggest trends emerging this month. We love the intricate detail of the print paired with the simple shift silhouette. You can wear this with moto-boots as shown, for an edgy look, or a ladylike pair of nude pumps for cocktail hour. Come June, pair it with gladiator sandals for a beachy keen look.

Which of April’s trends are your favorites? Did we forget to mention any?

Liz for Raymond Lee Jewelers, your source for fashion trends,  diamond jewelry, luxury estate jewelry, and designer jewelry.