The Lion, the Beach, and the Wardrobe

Cinco de Mayo Weekend by Robinson Maynes featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

There are many concepts that will always be timeless. A pencil skirt will always look good. High heels will always make you look thinner, etc. But when do these concepts become mundane? As the temperature outside steadily rises, I’m noticing the recurrence of three concepts that are both expected, and even passé.

First of all, why does every spring catalog showcase the “Safari” trend? Have any of us actually gone on a safari? And if you have, did you wear five inch Louboutin espadrilles with a khaki mini dress and over sized Jimmy Choo tote? Probably not. So why do always bring this trend back? A crisp white shirt has always looked very sharp with a pair of clean cut khakis, but we should try to push ourselves further out of our comfort zone and make bigger statement with our ensembles. It seems this Safari idea started somewhere and since stuck around. Let’s take away this trend’s green card and visit some new territory. South America anyone?

Of course when we’re hot, and have a pool or beach at our disposal, relaxing in the water (perhaps with a cocktail) is almost a given right on the weekends. But how many beach or pool outfits could you possibly need? Maybe a few different swimsuits to switch things up is nice, but unless you’re a professional pool party planner, you’re probably like myself and are looking for outfits for this season’s weddings, interviews, benefits, and other events where a string Missoni bikini just wouldn’t fly. Instead of every fashion publication telling me how to look bronzed without looking like a carrot, I wouldn’t mind reading an article on how to wear a suit in the spring time without sweating like I was in Bikram yoga session.

Lastly, I must address this age old idea of switching out our winter clothes for our spring clothes. It used to be mandatory that everyone had two sets of clothing: one for cold weather, one for warm weather. However, this daunting tradition not only keeps one from enjoying half of their wardrobe half of the year, but it’s also quite bothersome. I’ve always been one to buy piece at a bargain during the item’s off season, such as a sweater in June. Yet women today aren’t the type to easily succumb to such old ideals. For the modern woman, it’s all about buying great pieces, and smartly layering them differently depending on the time of year. They were miniskirts all year long, and jackets whenever they feel like it. A furry vest is all they need to stay cozy while they still rock a tank top on New Year’s Eve.

The message of this article isn’t to devalue the past ideals, or lessen their impact on the fashion industry, but rather to recognize a circle of trends and challenge all of you to push yourself, and the fashion industry, to greater bounds. Let’s not give in to mundane, and instead let’s embrace the unexpected. It’s time for us to give our old spring routine the boot. Perhaps a stiletto boot.