Fashion Trends for Spring

Dear Ladies and Broads — Happy Freakin Spring. A useless season if ever I saw one — too cold for the beach, and too warm for cute sweaters. But spring does give us a good reason (or excuse, depending on how you look at it) to update and replenish our wardrobes! But with what? What’s the latest weird fashion, and how might it translate into my personal view of my own self? Well, I did some homework on this thorny subject — I went out into the slush and bought TWO fashion magazines! And I got some answers, some questions, and a few shocks.

When considering fashion and purchases for same, one must first decide

1. What kind of look am I going for?
2. What will show me off to the best advantage?
3. Which new looks might be best integrated into my wardrobe?
4. What looks wicked cute now,

and very importantly…

5.  WILL IT LOOK WICKED CUTE ON ME?

Let’s just tackle a few categories, starting with shoes. Apparently, there is a new “happening” shoe this spring. It is fancifully called a “mule.” NOT to be confused with a “drug mule,” which is a person in baggy clothes and a sweaty, furtive look, who is smuggling drugs from one location to another. Nor is it our granny’s mule — a backless, flat slipper of indeterminate color, generally worn with a stained house dress or muu muu, to go to the local liquor store for some Thunderbird and a pack of smokes. The “New Mule” is often crafted of happy, shiny and textured fabric, often beaded or bedazzled. It also sports a taller kind of kitten heel, chunkier on the bottom and more curvily slender on top.

To mule or not to mule? Safety is a good question here. As the mule is backless, your foot may tend to slide around in there, making you eligible for an unappetizing fall or sprain. Also, unless you either get pedicures or keep your heels smooth and lovely with regular use of a pumice stone and a good foot cream, it ain’t gonna be a pretty sight. And, it is also possible, if one is as coordinated as I am, to walk right out of a mule! Give it a serious thought and in-store try-out, or a returnable item if bought online.

The next shoe fashion is just last year’s, and just won’t go away — the Bootie. I hate ’em, as they seem to make the wearer look like a Clydesdale horse — they generally are pretty solid and dark, and also enclose the ankle. There you are, all beautifully dressed, a nice, smooth and feminine line when YERRRK!! The pleasing anatomical line is yanked to a close by expensive clodhoppers. But hey, if you love them, wear away, girlfriend.

Some new things I find fabulous are some very nice dresses in geometric prints, which are slimming  and very chic. And, we are now encouraged to wear PINK! Pink looks great on so many skin tones, and makes one appear warm and friendly. Not Pepto Bismol pink, but there are many shades and styles that will whisper “I am woman, hear me purr.”

The other nice trend is the crisp button-down shirt. It doesn’t have to look like you just got off work at the Stock Exchange! This shirt, or blouse, has been in style for decades because it is CLASSY, elegant, comfortable and can be dressed-up (in a soft silk)  with a pencil skirt, or down, with a light-weight pair of pants or a floral skirt. Add what is known as “statement jewelry,” which I believe is fashion-code for expensive or rather big pieces, or some pearls — eternally fashionable.

Well, I’m about outta space — with so much more rant-able topics!! So, I’ll have to save it for next time. Beware — army jackets are rearing their heads again, which is fine if you EARNED it. Otherwise, leave ’em to the heroes.

Have a fun and fashionable Spring, and I’ll see you on the flip side.

Lorraine Anderson is the proprietress of the custom clothing service, The Occasional Woman.

Tags: button down shirt, crossdressing, fashion, featured, new mules, opinion, style, trend

Category: Style, Transgender Fashion, Transgender How To