Everything You Need for Spring: New York

As it would seem, this bone-chilling, everlasting winter season has made me realize two things: 1) I absolutely hate that groundhog Punxsutawney Phil and 2) I could not be happier to place my sweaters into seasonal hibernation. With this entombment of everything sartorially cold-oriented comes the birth of vital, warm-weather loving spring regalia. From the slowly thawing streets of Manhattan I have compiled a checklist of my personal must-haves for the much-awaited spring season. 

Minimalism

As anyone who is the least-bit concerned with trend-spotting, its obvious that the prominent trend this season is minimalism. Sure, this isn't anything new. You could say Hedi Slimane ushered in this trend when he retired the Yves moniker and started pushing us fashion slaves into gawking over his streamlined satchels. And yes, this is a trend that is following us from winter and continues through spring (and presumably summer.) But now, with the sun finally reigning queen, black overcoats give way to seamless, silken nude camis. My favorite choices for this trend would be simple patterns (see Equipment blouses,) purposeful adornment with the absence of any and all limb 'parties' and chic, uncomplicated footwear that borders the mundane. 

Neutral Tones

It seems that with each turn of the season, a new color is declared the 'It' palette of the moment IE Orchid. But for those of us in the know, its all about beige, black, grey, white and nude!  These colors are uncomplicated, but their affect is arresting. Their appeal lies in their effortless nature. Right now I'd much rather enjoy lunch at Jacks Wife Freda in a cropped black Alexander Wang tank and a pair of white linen trousers than in a display of hybrid magenta. 

NormCore

Though I don't know who coined this term, I wish I could pat them on the back for the brilliant moment everyday dressing is having. This encompasses everything paradoxical about fashion, most accurately represented by the almost hallowed esteem the Birkenstock brand has earned. I'm talking foot-bed sandals, thick and ungainly platforms stolen from Sarah Michelle Gellar's closet, and embellishment-free jackets that border on the unflattering. Theres something almost feminine about the way my Birks make my legs seem so small in relation to my foot. Although we like to place a slightly more fashion-forward twist on this trend, so we can at least sartorially differentiate ourselves a tiny bit from that hoodless sweatshirt + dad-jean-wearing father we all know, this is a great starting-off point for a simple, casual dressing this spring.  

Now, these trends are what I've harvested from the mean streets of New York City. They'll be infusing my wardrobe in the coming months. However, they're not the bible on everything spring. Stay tuned to find out what is driving Los Angeles trends from my California counter-part!