The retail world is flooded by a sea of clothing sizes. To find the right one, women must tread through “misses,” “petites,” “pluses,” “juniors” and more, depending upon the store.If the gurus at Pantone have anything to do with it, the coming months will bring dreams of tropical waters and lush Caribbean backdrops.
The design industry’s authority on color standards proclaimed turquoise as the color of the year for 2010, and spring merchandise has captured the hue’s aura of escapism, infusing shades of aqua and teal into chunky jewelry, graphic prints and exotic textures.
Designer Lela Rose’s spring collection, for example, focuses on feminine silhouettes punctuated by floral patterns, shimmer and ruffles in saturated colors.
•Cynthia Steffe’s “Josie” minidress offers a modern take on the silk shift, thanks to a thigh-skimming hemline and a sweet abstract floral print. $295 at Bloomingdale’s stores and Bloomingdales.com.
•Inspired by tribal motifs and retro Miami Beach, Brooklyn, N.Y.-based jewelry designer Alexis Bittar created a small Montauk turquoise ikat hinge bangle. The bauble touches on major spring trends: statement jewelry, ikat fabrics and, of course, bright shades from the cool-color spectrum. $355 at www.alexisbittar.com.
•A staple for warmer weather, leather Bijou sandals from Sundance are bejeweled with green, gold and turquoise beads and cabochon gems. Paired with jeans for afternoon errands or a breezy dress for an outdoor movie, these will take you through the season in style. $88 at www.sundancecatalog.com.
•Handcrafted in Marrakesh and upholstered in a silk ikat fabric in peacock-esque hues, a plump Moroccan chair invites guests to rest awhile. $680 at www.sheherazadenyc.com.
