She'sWrite: Fashion Choices for Everyday Women

Our guest columnist She'sWrite takes a look at the spring and summer fashions she hopes to incorporate into her wardrobe -- and the ones that she'll be staying far, far away from.

Finally. Balmy weather has arrived in Chicago. We can safely put away our parkas and it’s time to step out in my favorite fashion season: Spring/Summer.

From American designer Derek Lam's spring/summer collection.I enjoy this season because it’s always the most fun and creative. This year there’s a lot of trends, some whimsical, others retro, but the best thing is that many of them have figure-flattering pieces for us everyday women.

Trends I like:

* 1970s- Invoke the rockstar’s chic girlfriend

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Skinny jeans, cute as they may be, are not the big-bootied woman’s friend. (Unless paired with chunky shoes.) I have a serious badunk and short legs, therefore I praise the straight-legged pants, boot cut, or bell bottoms. This season, it’s the high-waisted pants with a fashionable flair at the end of your stems. Keep in mind, not everyone can rock the high-waisted pants though. (Ahem, Jessica Simpson.)

Another piece from this '70s trend that I find appealing is the return of the maxi dress, this time it’s sheer. Maxi dresses are so comfy, though sometimes I wonder if I’m unsuccessfully hiding my flab or truly looking fab.

Also platform wedges are back on the shelves. I love these since A) I’m short and B) I’m a mom. That means I can be cute at the summer barbecue while chasing my kids, because I’m not going to break an ankle, like I surely would in stilettos.

* Polished Punk

Ahhhh this appeals to my inner rebel. The girl whose favorite manicure color is black. Who still loves all things G 'n’ R, Nirvana and Sound Garden, and who remembers the first time she saw Joan Jett and immediately found an idol.

This look is easy to incorporate with existing items in your closet. You can pair an ultra feminine top or dress with an edgy, studded jacket. Frilly tops can help hide any post-preggo belly bulge (*blush*) and a nicely tailored, don’t-mess-with-me jacket can show off (or give the allusion of) a trim shape.

Trends I wouldn’t be caught dead in:

* Floral. Personal preference, I like to keep my flowers in my garden.

* Loungerie: This is the underwear-as-outerwear gone wrong. I’m all for lounge wear, being a temporary stay-at-home mom I have perfected the lounge wear look, but this is ridiculous. It makes me wonder if it’s one of those things that’s only truly seen on the catwalks, never life’s sidewalks.

However, as in all things fashion, one is never really sure. I mean, who would have thought that snow boots and shorts would one day become trendy? But Coco Chanel herself even said: “Fashion is made to become unfashionable.”

She’sWrite is the pen name of a journalist who lives in the northwest suburbs with her endearing Norwegian husband. She usually commutes daily into the Loop, but she’s currently on a six-month maternity leave and is at home with her baby boy and 3-year-old son. Every Wednesday on Go West Young Mom, you’ll find her musings about being a mom, career woman, wife and friend, and the crazy juggling act in this curious circus that we call life. She publishes several times a week on her own blog, also called She'sWrite, and you can subscribe there to get email notifications of new posts.

Comments

[Jen]

Ah the maxi dress. So cute on the rack, so not cute on me. Hard to wear a heavy duty underwire bra with them and otherwise the girls would be hanging down to my waist. I would like to buy some platform wedges, though. Especially ones to go with my uber-preppy plaid "just walked off the golf course" wardrobe. Chacun a son gout! (to each his own)

[sheswrite]

Jen- Mmmm. The ol' saggy tatas problem. Have you visited Vickie's Secrets to see what kind of boulder holders she has that could help? Though I did find one gravity-repelling strapless at Target once. I swear that thing is amazing.

And, I think that plaid and platforms sound like much fun!