Animal prints reflect the exotic look of spring. Ying Ying, left, is wearing a Roberto Cavalli top ($1,250) and Jil Sander pant ($470). Her purse is by Fendi ($455). Cassandra Eaton, center, wears an Etro top ($265) and skirt ($720). What works for women works for guys too. David Volz wears a Just Cavalli silk shirt ($375) and denim jeans ($285). All from Neiman Marcus.
Now is not the time to be shy about dressing. Think feathers, frills and animal skins, real or faux if you're with PETA.
This season, designers have obliterated the last vestiges of minimalism. Simply put, let this be your new mantra: BIG mo' betta.
» Jewelry is BIG and chunky. Don't restrain yourself.Of course, kin to big is bold, and that area's covered by a riot of color and prints.» Handbags are BIG and slouchy or structured. In this survivalist age, who knows when you'll have to pull out a flashlight, Swiss army knife, liter of water or corkscrew in a pinch, without sacrificing your primary grooming and monetary necessities?
» Skirts are BIG and full. Just don't let the wind catch those billowing folds of fabric.
The move toward the dramatic didn't occur overnight, but seems to have started back in 2001, with a push immediately after 9/11, when designers searched for ways to bring a bit of cheer back into our lives, so as to say the human spirit cannot be crushed by terrorism.
One of the other effects of war and terrorism is the shift in our perception of the world. Where once it seemed vast and unknowable, the proximity of danger has made the planet seem much smaller and interconnected.
Other cultures are much closer than we once believed, so look for influences from abroad. Garments bear folkloric details and embellishment in the form of sequin and beadwork or embroidery associated with Morocco, India, Asia, Africa and Mexico.
Here are details of the freshest trends, as shown by Neiman Marcus during its series of "Snapshot" events highlighting springtime dressing.
Model Ying Ying's clean white ensemble (Jil Sander tank, $135; jacket, $1,200; and capri pant $520) dazzles when paired with a silver-toned Fendi purse ($935).
Exotic
Show your animal nature in animal prints both realistic and stylized. (At the most extreme, check out the Prada store, which offers full, pleated skirts in feather prints, plus one skirt embellished with real peacock feathers -- of course, this is nothing new to Hawaii. Our monarchs once wore gowns of peacock feathers.)Think of nature as you dress, mixing those animal, plant (florals) and mineral (semiprecious stone) objects with the flash of metal in bronze or gold tones. Find your primitive self with tribal accessories of carved wood or bone bangles and cuff bracelets.
If you're not that wild, think of dressing up an outfit in neutral khaki or tan by carrying a handbag in the season's textured croc or snakeskin look.
Look for hints of Morocco, India and Mexico in full circle skirts and bazaar-flavored embellishment. Raena Cassidy, left, and Triniti Jezer model Margaret Loves Peter skirts ($150). Cassidy is also wearing a Twisted Heart shirt ($80), BCBG sequined sweater ($120) and Adrienne Laudau belt ($195). Jezer wears a Margaret Loves Peter tunic ($172), and Adam Jung echoes the look in a Just Cavalli tunic ($235) worn with For All Mankind jeans ($176). All from Neiman Marcus.
White
With the abundance of color, a walk down the street can feel like a stroll through a circus or Las Vegas stage. How does one stand apart from the masses? By taking it to the extreme, of course. It's as easy as donning your dazzlingly crisp, clean whites.The effect can be blinding to mere mortals, and signals to the world that you're just too precious or innocent to get your hands dirty, making it certain you'll draw unsavory looks from those envious of your cafe lifestyle. If only they knew how hard it is to keep tomato sauce from splashing onto your whites at those darn pasta cafes.
White also creates a dramatic canvas, the better for showing off your good taste in colorful accents, like shocking pink sandals or an electric lemon-lime handbag.
Blue is news: And so is the bold print. Ying Ying pairs a Prada jacket ($1,040) with a Prada dress ($1,335), while Cassandra Eaton wears a Prada blouse ($460) with St. John pant ($960) and Juicy Couture hat ($65). All from Neiman Marcus.
Folkloric
You don't have to travel the world to look like a globetrotter. Designers are bringing the bazaars of Marrakech and Delhi to you. Think full and loose, with a return to bohemian hippie chic in the form of casual Arabian Nights tunics and skirts that flare. And if you kept your granny's crochets, you're already ahead of the pack.Look for rich, gold-flecked sari fabrics, plus fluid pants and smock tops accented with embroidery and mirror discs.
One movement sparks another, and in this case the full skirts call for a switch from the pumps and athletic shoes of the past. Wear your new skirt with round-toed ballerina-style flats or, for those in need of heightening, the wedge or lace-up espadrilles.
Color
There's a rainbow out there, and even those who swear yellow and green are not their colors will find it hard to resist the gelato colors on the racks, from lemon and honeydew to marigold or saffron orange.Blue is the new black, the better to show off your crisp whites and red coral or amber jewelry.
To avoid being overwhelmed by ethnic or floral patterns, pair a colorful top with a solid-colored skirt, or vice versa.
The red coral necklace is sewn onto the Roberto Cavalli halter top ($925). The look of turquoise, coral and amber is in.
Retro lady
There's also a return to the silhouette of the 1950s. If the disheveled look of folkloric fashion doesn't appeal to you, maybe the classic look of full box- or knife-pleated skirts paired with a fitted and ornamented sweater or cropped denim jacket is more your style.This is not to say you have to be as prim as a 1950s housewife. In the 21st century, women are not quite so proper, so shock the crowd by pairing that button-down sweater and skirt with an offbeat hat such as a fedora or beret and funky purse.
Window shopping
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The wedge: It's the shoe of the moment, from casual espadrilles to this dressy version from Prada that sells for $420.
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Ballet flats: Gelato colors make it tempting to get pair in every color. These Delmans are $245 at NM. Banana Republic had lacy versions.
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Jewelry: This bonelike bangle by Monies ($125) is stylish and fun. Chunky tribal style baubles will adorn arms and necks.
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Folkloric: Available at BCBG are a mirror-embellished top ($267), left, and loose, cropped embroidered jacket ($644) , both from the BCBG Max Azria Collection.
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Accessories: If reptile prints and metallics are too overwhelming to wear, choose accent pieces such as bracelets and purses.
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Let the sun shine: Yellow looks fresh and youthful. The season's retro, womanly silhouette calls for skinny tops paired with fuller skirts. The Banana Republic top is $68. The pleated skirt was spotted on sale there recently for $69.99.
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