Page 3 - What Women Want River Valley and Ozarks May 2015

What Women Want • An Advertising Supplement to the River Valley & Ozark Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette • Sunday, May 3, 2015 • 3VV
A staple for hot summer days is a cool, breezy sundress or maxi. Other wardrobe essentials include crops, shorts, colorful tanks and flowing tops.
Spring into summer
FASHION
Update your seasonal wardrobe without breaking the bank
Warm weather has arrived — time to trade in those long sleeves and bulky knits for cool, breezy tops and bottoms. By now, you’ve probably sorted through your closet, determined that you have absolutely nothing to wear and thought about updating your wardrobe with this spring and summer’s most popular items.
You could spend a lot of money pur- chasing all-new clothes that will keep you comfortable and cool, or you can be strategic about giving your wardrobe a refresher with seasonal pieces that work well all spring and summer — and at affordable prices.
“For summer, I feel like the “must- have” item in every woman’s closet is a good sundress,” said Ashton Pruitt, owner of Southern Savvy in Greenbrier. “There is nothing classier than a South- ern woman in a sundress. Plus, it will be hot, so why not be classy and cool at the same time?”
When expanding your wardrobe on a budget, it’s best to stick to the basics, said Cindy Spradlin, owner of Dancing Cranes in Heber Springs. She suggests starting with a simple tank top, a pair of dark-colored jeans that can be rolled up and worn as crops, a long-sleeved white button-up shirt that can be worn alone or as a lightweight jacket, and a sleeve- less maxi dress, either patterned or sol- id. Other essentials include a cape-style cardigan, flat sandals and heeled shoes.
“A denim jacket is always a great ad- dition to wear with pants or over a maxi dress,” Spradlin said.
“Also, invest in a great lightweight blazer or cardigan that will give you that classic look, something that will dress
up the most casual outfit instantly,” Pruitt said. “When it comes to shoes, lean more for solids instead of bold patterns. That way, you can have a ver- satile pair that you can accessorize with everything.”
Putting it together
Crop pants are back and more ver- satile than ever. Depending on the cut and fabric, these pants can work well for the office, hitting the beach or going out with the girls. In addition to classic den- im, look for lightweight crops in sherbet pastels, nautical stripes and a variety of prints. Depending on your body type, select classic or boyfriend-fit crops.
“Boyfriend jeans are a more re- laxed-fit women’s jean, worn ankle length and sometimes rolled up, while crop pants are shorter, below the knee,” Spradlin said. “[Crops are] meant to look like you are going wading in the water.”
When choosing tops to wear with your crops or pants, it’s all about bal- ance. As a general rule, relaxed pants look best teamed with fitted tees or tanks, while slim-fit bottoms are stun- ning when paired with flowing tops.
Of course, shorts are a perennial favorite for summer, and they come in all shapes and lengths. Bermuda shorts are great for outdoor activities
like hiking and camping. You can even dress them up for casual occasions like neighborhood parties and date night. They go great with tanks, blouses or even sweaters on a cooler evening.
“Overall, for summer, jeans are pushed to the back of the closet,” Pruitt said. “My customers are leaning more for denim, print or solid shorts to accent the fun tanks and tops for the warmer temperatures.”
Mix and match crops and shorts with carefully chosen tops to make even the most limited wardrobe seem larger. Look for popular colors and fabrics to stay on trend for the season.
“I am seeing a lot of solids this year for summer, with bold printed accents — arrows, anchors, bows, flags — and embroidery,” Pruitt said. “Gingham, quatrefoil, seersucker and floral patterns are also here to stay for the summer.”
Looking for a colorful, casual feel? Top off your outfit with a bright tank top.
“Tank tops in different colors can be worn alone or in layers,” Spradlin said. With a good selection of each of
these styles in your closet this spring and summer, you’ll never have to wor- ry about finding the perfect outfit for any occasion — and you’ll look cool, comfortable and classy all season long.
— Courtesy of Brandpoint, with contributions by Linda Garner-Bunch, special sections writer
GREAT gear
C
sual comfort
Rock’n’run
The Road Noise vest allows you to listen to music on the run without earbuds so you can also hear what’s around you. Use the two-pocket system in the front to store essentials, and plug in any smartphone or music device to hear your favorite tunes through the built-in speakers. For added safety, reflective strips surround you with 360 degrees of visibility.
TO BUY: The Sporty Runner, Conway
C
Y
r summer wardrobe won’t be
Yo
Ma
v
ety of colors and styles, these
a
va
t
s are soft and comfy with a e
e
te
s
ple Southern flair.
si
i
a
as
ou
u
mplete without T-shirts from co
c
M
rshland Apparel. Available in a
om
a
ri
r
es
m
m
r
ie
p
TO BUY: Shop Oh Snap! Two, Quitman