Over the past few weeks, the window displays around the neighborhood have been slowly shifting. We’re seeing fewer sweaters, coats, and deep hues, and we’re getting more dresses, florals, and light pinks and blues. It’s time for spring shopping! What’s going on in our local shops?
Christine Alcalay, designer and owner of Kiwi (119 Seventh Avenue) walked me through her inventory this season:
“It’s a really lighthearted and fun spring. It’s certainly much more optimistic than last year’s. We’ve got a lot more florals, great stripes, really great color waves, really soft fabrics, a lot of sheers, a lot of chambray. The colors are pastel. I’ve been calling them rich pastels, colors like jade, faded corals, mints, sky blue, and a lot of pinks. We also have a lot of digital prints, that fun sort of kaleidoscope idea. It’s all very easy, very relaxed.”
Digital print floral dress, $246; Distressed cropped jeans, $254; Sheer graphic top, $198 (Kiwi)
In terms of silhouette, Christine says it’s “spanning the spectrum from things that are really body-conscious, to those that are kind of boxy, easy, ethereal.” With this contrast of cuts, and the prevalence of such light, airy, and inviting pieces, layering is key.
Patterned button-up chambray, $129; Loose-knit sweater, $149 (Kiwi)
Do yourself a favor and pick up some form of this loose-knit, lightweight sweater. Throw it over a maxi dress, an American Apparel leotard, or (as above) a tailored button-up. It’s as versatile as it is comfortable, and worth the investment: I have three similar styles and basically live in them from April until October.
The shoppers and salesgirls at Habit (137 Fifth Avenue) had clear and excited ideas about what they’re planning to wear this spring. Some were focused on black and white, as well as bold, horizontal stripes. One woman said she “couldn’t get enough mint,” and everyone was unanimously excited about the racks of pastels.
Floral sleeveless shirt with peplum, $42; Striped knit dress with eyelets, $96; Color-blocked mint dress with pleats, $58 (Habit)
The tendency toward these easy, relaxed, and ultimately soft styles are being contrasted by bold accessories. Heavy metal statement necklaces are bringing the more ethereal pieces down to earth, and over at Flirt (93 Fifth Avenue), owner Patti Gilstrap highlighted the harder, geometric patterns.
Necklaces, l-r: $44, $30, $38 (Flirt)
She also noted the repetition of yellow and navy accents, seen in both boxy, more mod cuts, as well as in in tailored, feminine styles.
Stripe-patterned dress, $109; Yellow jacquard dress, $130; mustard yellow knit sweater, $99 (Flirt)
Big statement sunglasses are popular this year, and over at Bhoomki (158 Fifth Avenue) the statement is not just about fashion. Swati Argade, shop owner and designer, makes a point to work only with eco- and socially-conscious labels. Right now you can pick up Panda‘s bamboo sunglasses in blond, brown, and black. For each pair sold, Panda gives “the gift of vision” (i.e., prescription glasses and medical treatment) to a person in need.
Bamboo sunglasses, $128; Argentinian leather belts, $55-99 (Bhoomki)
Swati also has some brightly colored accessories, like the Argentinian leather belts (above) or her wall of 100% cotton, Internationally Fair Trade Certified hand-woven scarves from India. Throw them on over one of the store’s hand-embroidered tunics, also Fair Trade certified from India.
Hand-woven spring scarves, $30-78; Hand-embroidered Indian tunic, $74 (Bhoomki)
If you’re a person who hesitates to spend over $30 on a pair of sunglasses for fear of losing them, or crushing them in your bag, or sitting on them (purely hypothetical scenarios), the perennially springy Hooti Couture (321 Flatbush Avenue) has statement shades galore, all vintage or vintage-inspired, and cheap.
Sunglasses from Hooti Couture, $15 for one pair/$20 for two
Yours truly snagged that pair on the bottom right corner over the weekend, and tested them out over Sunday brunch. The consensus? “You look ridiculous, but, you know, in a good way.”
What are you guys wearing this season? Send us photo of yourselves looking fly in your spring getups, and we’ll put together a Park Slope Look Book! Email editor@parkslopestoop.com.
