Spring Has Sprung

 

 

 

 

 



“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” --Rainer Maria Rilke 

Spring is such a wonderful time of year for so many reasons.  Daffodils planted in drifts spring to life, robins looking for food, more pleasant weather, and a rebirth of your wardrobe.  The Spring Cleaning requires a change over of your closet as well as a thorough cleanse of your living space.  I have looked more forward to this Spring more than I have any that I can think of in the past.  This is my second one living in the SoMa neighborhood of Little Rock and I am very much looking forward to the first farmer's market in April.  Warmer weather means riding the River Trail instead of using the treadmill.  And I can wear a new wardrobe.  Ok well it's not as much a new wardrobe as it is something new and fresh from the winter attire.  Pink button down super soft shirt from JCrew, white jeans from Banana Republic, and spring green suede wingtips from Giorgio Brutini?  Yes please. 

 

This Spring is going to be about color and classic looks with a twist.  I am not one to get into the new color for Spring situation as I think it gets trendy and is a ploy by designers and retailers to get you to go out and buy more clothes, rejecting your favorite classics.  Recently over brunch our table had the conversation about being trendy and how trends come and go but classic style stays.  A cautionary story about parachute pants was an example about following trends!  That was a good laugh for all of us. 

White pants are a classic that never get old and there is a huge variety from jeans to chinos to linen to a more dressy white pant you'd pair with a great jacket and wear to a more formal occasion.  Not just for Spring and Summer, they seem to really come into their own with the warmer weather. 

Here are two looks with only the jackets being changed and the key element being white jeans from Banana Republic.  I like them both, but the second image with the Boglioli cotton jacket and pocket square from JCrew are what I walked out the door with.

With warmer weather also comes shorter sleeves like polos and classic t's.  Here in Arkansas we have some days in Spring that are quite warm and you can get a jump on getting some sun on your legs and wear shorts.  Warm colors in both pants and shirts welcome the change in season.  During this time of year I don't like to wear much that is the fashion equivalent of anything less somber than the song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"!  But I do agree that browns and neutrals can make a home and play nice with their more colorful cousins on the color wheel, but not an outfit of neutrals. 

I stopped in recently to check out the Spring offerings at The Independent and to talk with my friends Jon Stone and Flynn Smith about what they are offering customers in the store.  Color.  Great fabric options in both the bespoke suit and shirt categories as well as off the rack items from Isaia, Eton, PT01, Mastai Ferretti, and their own in house pieces. 

 

 

Another nice benefit from the change in season is that it seems that food gets lighter and more punctuated with flavors that are very fresh.  Corn chowder and chili are replaced with gazpacho or a chilled pea soup.  And these meals can be eaten outside with patio entertaining coming back as an option.  I know that outdoor entertaining isn't a Southern invention or that we even corner the market on it, but at least we get first shot at it compared to our more northern friends.  Get your seersucker ready guys! 

Nice weather, pops of color in your wardrobe and garden, Derby Day, outdoor entertaining, and healthier eating are why Spring in Arkansas is a damn good thing.  For those of you that Spring comes a bit later, it just gives you more time to plan!

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  All of these images are courtesy of Brian Kelley/Imagine Photography/Brian's Style Guide and are protected by copyright law. None of these images may be used, edited, reproduced, transferred, published or distributed in any form or by any means whatsoever without prior written permission.