After months of boots and sweaters, it's safe to say spring fever has officially set in. Good news! There are plenty of spring styles to give you a fresh look without breaking the bank.
What's new?
Crop tops, pallazo pants, jumpers, culottes, harem pants - all fashions that have a history, but have made their way back onto the racks of local stores this spring. If you aren't ready for a time warp or don't think you can pull off the one-piece outfits, don't fret.
"There is something for everyone," said Calene Cooper, owner of Calena's Fashions in Holts Summit.
Colorful spring dresses will always be a staple this time of year. Straight-leg jeans continue to sell. Jeans with a mini boot flare are making their debut. Fringe is adorning jackets, kimonos, dusters and purses. The big colors this spring are navy, corals, pinks and tans; and monochromatic outfits aren't off-limits. Lace overlay is giving a more feminine touch to many pieces.
Best of all, patterns and prints are everywhere - "not just in your tops, but in your bottoms too," Cooper said.
Mixed patterns are even popping up in single pieces, such as a floral print and stripes on the same shirt.
Although it's fun to buy new, you don't need to purchase a whole new wardrobe to be in style. Many popular fashions from last spring and summer are still hot items today and will stick around throughout the year.
Cooper said staples such as maxi dresses and skirts, tunics, and leggings are just as popular now as last spring. Jefferson City Dillard's ladies department manager Mari Beth Asmann agreed: "Tunics are still in."
Consider your current wardrobe
As you do a little spring cleaning, don't forget about your closet. Hold on to items that make you feel good. Keep cardigans and key neutrals that can be matched easily with new outfits.
Take inventory. What did you wear last year? What didn't you wear? Clean out your closet and purge.
"Maximize that wardrobe by minimizing what does not work," said Nikki Payne, owner of Fine Mess Boutique and Snob Shop Exchange in Jefferson City. "If you didn't wear it in 2014, you won't wear it in 2015."
Combine old with new
Break out those tunics and maxi dresses and add a new skinny belt, a pair of wedges and a cardigan to give them a quick update. Ballet flats in soft or even bright colors and patterns can really add something to an otherwise neutral outfit. As you buy new, be sure to invest in key pieces that can be mixed and matched.
Dying to wear a new maxi dress? "Add your old scarf or accent it with a statement jewelry piece and your wedges from last year," Payne said.
Buying a few new accessories can be a less expensive option to freshen things up and is one of the easiest ways to make a big difference.
"Necklaces and belts always vamp up your wardrobe," Payne said.
Big pendant necklaces have been popular, but recent trends suggest layering two shorter necklaces of similar color and style to a longer pendant piece to create a stacked effect. Although these layering pieces are being sold together, with a little creativity it's likely something you can create with pieces you already own.
While you're trying new things, "don't be afraid to be a little adventurous when it comes to color," Payne encouraged.
This might mean buying red ballet flats and a teal fringe purse, or a flowing maxi dress with multiple patterns. No matter what your wardrobe looks like, it's never too late - or too expensive - to start fresh.