What Spring will bring

The fashion industry works ahead. Way ahead.

For example, while Baton Rougeans baked in summer heat last August, astute boutique owners, designers and buyers were already thinking ahead to what women will want to wear this spring.

So while we dreamed of that first fall cool front breaking our molten malaise, fashionistas were planning trips to market events in August when they’d be presented with new styles for this spring.

We contacted some of those local boutique owners and buyers in November while their market trips were still fresh in their minds. We asked what they saw, what they liked, what they bought, and what they predict we’ll see this spring in Baton Rouge.

(Please note that some of clothes pictured illustrate trends you’re likely to see this spring. They include some outfits from high-end designers available only online or in other cities.)

Eye-popping color

Spring is all about “color, color, color,” says Sari Turner, co-owner of Nanette Kadair. Along with the season’s requisite pastels, vivid, eye-popping colors will be in this spring. A glimpse at the candy-coated runway styles confirmed this. Pam Petite of Carriages saw shades spanning the color spectrum, from petal pink and blush to grass green, lemon and celery.

This spring look for subtler, sophisticated expressions of color, such as pairing high-wattage colors with neutrals, such as khaki, gray or white.

The ’60s, ’70s and ’90s return

“This season is a blend of the 1960s and 1970s,” says Andrea Hemelt, co-owner of Eros. At market and on the runways, flowing ’70s dresses were juxtaposed with mod minis reminiscent of the decade that brought us The Beatles.

Turner says designers also are taking cues from Prada’s resort collection by returning to ’90s flower prints. “Spring is all over the map,” Hemelt says.

The season also sees the reinvention of the jumpsuit, another trend courtesy of the disco era, but Hemelt and Rodeo owner Shanna Boudreaux predict Baton Rougeans will have mixed feelings about the all-in-one style. Remember: If you wore the look the first time around, probably best not to rock it again.

Embellishment

This spring expect lots of embellished tops and dresses that recall the heyday of old Hollywood. Buyers we talked to say everything from sequins and rhinestones to beads, grommets and studs took center stage at market, and fabrics with heavy metal shine continued to light up the runways.

High waists, wide legs

If last year belonged to the skinny jean, this year goes to the high-waisted, wide-leg trouser.

The best way to wear this classic Katharine Hepburn style? Hemelt suggests pairing it with a white button-down tucked in and a skinny belt.

While leggings can be put on hold, skinny jeans are still around, but don’t expect to see a high waist on those. “In order to do a skinny bottom, you kind of want a tunic-like top,” Hemelt says. “That look is definitely still in.”

Gladiator sandals, smaller accessories

After a few seasons of oversized everything, spring’s accessories are getting downsized, Kiki owner Kiki Frayard says. “For a while big was in. Now there’s a trend toward little bags without quite as much hardware,” she says.

Hang on to bags in patent, metallics and bright colors. She says straw bags are taking a backseat, but animal prints are still everywhere.

The same goes for shoes, Mirabella owner Sheila King says. Look for sandals with ostrich feathers, for example, and hold on to embellished flats, wedges and patent styles. Another big style for spring: the gladiator sandal, sustained as popular by both celebs and runway models.

Men’s wear, T-shirts

Loft 3H owner Keith Kimble says seersucker jackets and plaid shorts are at the top of his list for spring. “Another popular trend is T-shirts with a burnout wash that look like they’ve been washed a million times,” he says. “A lot of the designers we carry are doing that this season.” He thinks Baton Rougeans will shy away from T-shirts with sequins, but shirts with simpler embellishment and embroidery are still big. One trend that’s slowing down, he says, is the trendy sneaker. “People are wearing boots, loafers and dress shoes with their more casual clothes.”