Spring Preview at BELK

Just in time to get me in the mood for our Spring Fashion photo shoot (which took place today at Theatre Charlotte), I got to sit down yesterday with Arlene Goldstein, Fashion Director for Belk to find out how they will be interpreting the runway trends we saw last fall on their racks this season.  I was happy to hear that many of the trends we’d pulled for our shoot today (including florals, stripes, tribal accents and wedge heels) were also on their must-have list.

Here were the trends on Belk’s list that I immediately wanted to wear:

 – Burnished metals and broken-in leather on accessories (think the perfectly worn pair of Frye boots).

 – Eyelet fabrics and lower hemlines (very 1950s ladylike – an eyelet is always a lovely way to say "spring!").

 – Mixed and matched bracelets (it’s not just stacked bangles anymore – chains, beads, charms – they can all be mixed together).

 – 70s inspired wide-leg pants (I love these slightly more flared legs with a super tall wedge heel!).

 – Utilitarian or military-lite mixed with more femme tops (a slightly motorcycle-like jacket looks hot over ruffles).

 – Loooooong necklaces – and heavy ones at that (a move away from collar statement necklaces).

And of course, there are a few trends that I am having a hard time wrapping my head around:

 – The return of CARGOS.  (This time they’re skinny. Somehow that doesn’t make me any more of a fan.)

 – Cargos for DUDES.  (I’ve been assured they are more tailored than their Abercrombie fad predecessors, but I am not as comforted by that as I wish I was.)

 – A reemergence of kitten heels. (I’m a girl who likes her heels three inches or higher.)

 – Crochet tops (It’s supposed to supplement the 70s vibe, but that’s a version of boho that can get seriously out of hand and low-rent looking if you don’t wear it right.).

What spring trends have you chomping at the bit to relegate your sweaters to the guestroom closet? Which ones have you cringing in fear?