COTTON CANDY COLORS
BY INGRID SCHMIDT
Cotton candy pink, powdery lilac, pale yellow, peach and baby blue may conjure up sugary confections, yet the season’s pastel looks are decidedly sophisticated.
Spring has sprung and fashion is awash in Easter egg hues. Think delicate pink, soft lilac, buttery yellow, sky blue and Peach Fuzz (Pantone’s official color of the year) as seen on spring-summer catwalks such as Michael Kors, Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Chanel. So it’s time to roll out the mood-boosting Jordan Almond colors and get playful with mixing and matching.
Another fresh way to combine these subtle sorbet shades is to pop pastel apparel, shoes or a handbag against a canvas of crisp, clean white. The perennially popular summer neutral also made a big-time showing on the runways, from Saint Laurent to Chloé to Valentino.
The key to styling sugary colors is to steer away from overtly feminine frills and patterns. Rather, reach for an array of solids and create unexpected contrasts. Think of the quiet luxury of sharply tailored blazers, trousers and cardigans in a rainbow of candy colors. Or the easygoing chic of sweet sportif. Set sappy romance aside and go for either slinky, sensual styles or drapey, volumized proportions. The trick? Never get too pretty.
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SOUTH COAST PLAZA – SPRING TRENDS
THE PASTELS EDIT
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Leave it to Demna, Balenciaga’s creative director, to deliver the most covetable va-va-voom pastel mules. These chic slides are adorned with frothy pink feathers on a satin-covered footbed and boast a three-inch heel.
Talk about army candy. Woven bags are the thing for spring, so look no further than Bottega Veneta. In on-trend baby blue leather woven to perfection, this texture-rich tote is the ultimate finishing touch.
The effortless, slouchy handbag isn’t going anywhere-updated in butter yellow with chic buckle detailing. It fits all the essentials, easily moves from work to weekend, and the strap converts in length to carry by hand, over the shoulder or crossbody.
This beautiful blouse fuses two trends (pastels and florals) into one and done. The pleated, asymmetric, off-the-shoulder style is such a standout that all it needs to take it next-level is a fun jolt of contrasting pastel color–maybe a bright floral trouser?
Functional is the word in footwear this summer, with platforms (and flatforms) trending. Prada’s fun rubber take on a classic fisherman style comes with a chunky platform heel for a built-in boost of height.
Personality cardigans are the new It knits that pull any outfit together with a touch of layered color. A wardrobe workhorse, this flattering, belted cardigan (with a matching tank top) in pretty peachy-pink has a shimmery metallic lurex finish that is subtle enough for day or night.
Feel quiet luxury vibes in this can’t-go-wrong pale pink cardigan, crafted of recycled cashmere. Take styling cues from the catwalks and tie it around your shoulders or wrap it around the waist for a touch of country club cool.
GIORGIO ARMANI
ASV Triple Silk Georgette Long Dress
LEVEL 2, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts
714.546.9377
With a nod to Grecian goddess inspiration, the sinuous draped silhouette of this maxi dress (with an elegant shawl collar and cap sleeves) balances the peachy sweet color. The pure Mulberry silk georgette fabric is organically sourced.
Sweet pink goes posh in a midi dress take on the stealth wealth trend. Understatement is everything with the waist-cinching sash, a tie neck, cool layered cuffs, and pintuck detailing balanced by an easy asymmetric hem.
You can’t go wrong with a plush peach Creamsicle-hued hoodie, crafted in brushed-back fleece with cool details such as a bungee cord closure at the neckline. Dress it up by pairing it with an eggshell blue skirt and heels.
MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION
Hand-Embroidered Sequin Floral Lace Cropped Pants
LEVEL 1, Carousel Court
714.557.5600
Yes, these pink floral lace pants with shimmery sequin embellishment and scalloped edges are quite close to a confection in the form of clothes. Yet the cropped cut and retro bootleg add ease. Layer on an uncomplicated T-shirt, sweater or clean-lined blazer.
A soft shade of lilac puts a fresh spin on these easy cuffed, tailored trousers. Wear them with the coordinating knit top and then take the look to work by layering a classic white blazer over the top.
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SOUTH COAST PLAZA – SPRING TRENDS
THE WHITE EDIT
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This crisp, cool white blazer is a pivotal, no-nonsense neutral to toss over any combination of pastel separates or a pale-hued dress. With horn buttons, it is crafted in a summery cotton-linen blend with a subtle herringbone pattern.
A must-have layering piece, this ivory linen bralette balances simplicity with pretty shirring, boning at the sides and a self-tie bow at the back. Slip it under a pastel jacket or cardigan. Or on hot summer days, pair it with sorbet-colored shorts and skirts.
The sharp silhouette and porcelain white shade of this midi pencil skirt are the right balance for sweet shades, while multi-colored rhinestone trim adds pizzazz to pastels. Bonus: there is a matching cropped cardigan.
Every season demands a white T-shirt refresh, particularly when such an array of color is on the menu. This essential crewneck is pure cotton with relaxed, drop shoulders to balance any pastel fuss.
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