TREND: Thigh-Baring Minis
Unless you're built like Gisele Bundchen, Adam says, beware anything that is super-short—including shorts.
HERE TO STAY: AN ALWAYS-FLATTERING PENCIL SKIRT Just above the knee, it gives a hint of sexiness without being as obvious as a mini. It's also more age and work appropriate for those of us with office jobs. If you're desperate to try the
shorts look, choose a longer style than what's waltzing down the runways.
Dolce & Gabbana; Ralph Lauren
TREND: All-Over Demin
You don't want to wear denim on top and bottom, Adam says. (As shown here.) "You also want to avoid anything that's bedazzled, shredded, studded—basically, anything that smacks of Pat Benetar in 1984."
HERE TO STAY: ONE KEY DENIM PIECE
Dark wash jeans, skirts and jackets are always chic, but this season there are more varieties to play with: vests, button-down shirts and countless different styles of dresses. "Just remember, a little denim goes a long way."
TREND: Innerwear as Outerwear
"This spring, several designers returned to corsetry, lace and boning—it was a huge trend," says Adam. "I believe in the 9 to 5 girl—how do I say this—not the 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. girl."
HERE TO STAY: SMART LAYERING
Fortunately, says Adam, there's a tasteful way to adapt this trend. (Which is great, because most of us can't pull off Victorian madam, circa 1885, or Madonna, circa 1985.) For a hint of lace, he suggests wearing a pretty camisole under a cardigan or jacket (instead of reaching for your standby cotton T-shirt). Or you might save the pretty corsets and delicate, transparent lace pieces for the bedroom. "The lingerie companies are going to be very inspired by the runway looks, so if you run to Victoria's Secret, you'll find lots of pretty bra-and-panty sets now."
TREND: The Catwoman Jumpsuit
"I do love a good jumpsuit," Adam says, "but you want to avoid the fully skintight, Halle Berry in Catwoman look.
HERE TO STAY: THE REAL-WOMAN JUMPSUIT
Adam likes a loose-fitting but still flattering jumpsuit. "Choose one that moves with you," says Adam. "You can wear a tank top, T-shirt, or long-sleeved shirt underneath." One caveat: As much as Adam recommends a comfortable jumpsuit, he's not recommending a warehouse-employee look—so he says you should always maintain a defined waist with a belt.
TREND: High-Waisted, Pleated Pants
Although this looked terrific on the runway, Adam is not usually a fan of pleats in the real world. Why? "They're the quickest way to add pounds to your body," he says. "No one needs excess fabric around their waist or belly."
HERE TO STAY: LOOSE TROUSERS
The past few years have seen a lot of extremely low-rise and incredibly tight styles, so Adam understands why women might be tempted by trousers that offer more coverage. But instead of going for a high-waisted style, he recommends a classic shape in this spring's flowy, softer materials. These pants, like the Etro style, right, have more room through the thighs. If you really want to try the pleat trend, he says, "avoid the typical box-pleats and look for inverted styles." These are sewn down—think catholic schoolgirl kilts or cheerleader skirts—and are typically more flattering. (If you have a short torso, any pleat is going to make you look shorter, so this trend may be one you skip entirely.)
Alexander McQueen; Ralph Lauren
TREND: Kooky Footwear
"The styles designers featured this season were eye-catching, true...," says Adam, "but I think they're way too much of a conversation piece for most women's lives. Also, some of the clunkier styles can make a person look like Fred Flintstone.
HERE TO STAY: PLATFORMS AND WEDGES
"The covered platform is very fashionable and surprisingly wearable," says Adam. He likes shoes that mix textures and fabrics—like this Ralph Lauren espadrille wedge with delicate blue straps. These less-radical but still charming, chic styles will freshen up any neutral—a khaki skirt, a pair of white jeans—already in your closet.
Roberto Cavalli; Dries van Noten
TREND: Wacky Print Mixing
A designer with years of experience, a knack for patterns, working with a six-foot glamazon? That person can create a visually eclectic outfit, says Adam. And maybe you can, too. "On the other hand, it's a fine line between eye-catching and looking as if you're about to join Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus.
HERE TO STAY: TONED-DOWN PRINT MIXING "A little bit of print can go a long way," says Adam, who likes a floral paired with a thin stripe or small polka dots. "If you really want to mix patterns, choose items in the same tonal family, with prints that are not on the same scale," he says. "Pick a sweater with a smaller pattern than the skirt you plan to wear it with." No matter what, avoid prints larger than your fist—those patterns can make you look bigger than you actually are.
6 more new spring pieces with staying power
