This particular Arkansas winter hasn't been bad, but for those who thrive best in warmth and sun, it has been too long. There is no better way to shed the winter blues than looking forward to the spring/summer fashions. And that goes for the fellas, too.
So what will be new in menswear for spring 2016? Cade Williams, owner of Culture Clothing Co., a men's boutique in west Little Rock, gives the lowdown on spring trends for all the hipsters out there.
"One thing that we're really seeing is just a lot of basics. It's not just your typical white undershirt anymore," he says. Think elongated shirts ending in scoop tails or fish tails, with a bit more of a dropped neck. "You'll see a lot of split seams as opposed to a regular, rounded seam."
Neutral and pastel colors will be key, Williams says. "Like light shades of pink, light blues, olives, creams, blacks, whites, grays .... A lot of times when you think of spring, you think neons and greens and oranges and that sort of thing. [But] you're going to see a lot more muted pastels."
Floral prints will still be around, but dialed back -- "a little bit more of a muted floral; not as much of the Hawaiian."
And guys, you had better get yourself a pair of slim, straight jeans, "the more destructed, the better," Williams says. "And, of course, the biker denim right now is just insanely huge."
These trends are brought to life by such designers and brands as Vitaly -- "they do everything from jewelry to basics." And then there's Zanerobe, a high-end Australian line that, in Little Rock, is carried exclusively by Culture Clothing. "It's a lot of the joggers [pants] and the basics, and just a really simple way to throw things together."
When it comes to men's spring accessories, Williams says look for marble patterning. "We're doing a lot of white, light turquoise and black onyx as far as real wood beads. Watches are going [to] a little bit smaller face but more of a classic style as opposed to the big rubber [watch bands]. You're going to see more leather bands." Saddle brown will be a priority color for accessories.
As for shoes, "a good pair of flip-flops you can't go wrong with," Williams says. Athletic shoes will also be a hit as "we're seeing a lot more trends in athletic wear with the jogger, with the long-tail tee. It's that kind of ... whole look, everything from a Nike Air Max to the new Adidas line or anything like that."
Williams believes these looks will do well in the Natural State. "It's very happening right now. You can look at celebrities like David Beckham and Justin Bieber and Kanye West. That's 100 percent what they've got going on. We're trying to bring that look here."
AND FOR THE LADIES ...
Here are the highlights among the spring 2016 trends in women's wear, as predicted by such sources as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Popsugar.com: slip dresses, part of a whole lingerie-exposed look; romance and femininity (feathers, ruffles, pastels, cream, chiffon and sheer details); floral prints; sequins and other shiny materials; Spanish/Latin ruffles/tiers; stripes; and shoulders that are bare or "cold" (exposed via a sleeved garment with cutouts -- one of my favorite looks, and a nice alternative for those of us with unattractive upper arms).
HAIR-CARE ICON IMMORTALIZED
Madam C.J. Walker, who revolutionized hair care for black women in the early 1900s and who became known as "America's first female self-made millionaire" because of it, lives again. At least her name does. Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture, a new hair-care line introduced by Sundial Brands and designed for all hair types, made its debut Friday in Sephora stores and on Sephora.com.
A'Lelia Bundles, great-great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker and official Madam C.J. Walker historian and biographer, states in a news release that the line "is taking what Madam Walker envisioned more than 100 years ago to a fresh, new level with products and formulas I believe she might have imagined for the 21st century."
Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture consists of four collections -- the Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Collection, Coconut & Moringa Oils Collection, the Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Collection and Dream Come True, a treatment collection.
TIMELESS BEAUTY
Feb. 2 marked not just Groundhog Day, but the release of the latest among the slew of fashion and beauty books. Forever Chic: Must-Have Tips on Beauty and Style by Caroline Cox (Quadrille Publishing, $12.95) is a compact "guide to aging gracefully -- a fading but crucial skill in the world dominated by young starlets." Cox, an international authority on fashion history and modern hair and beauty trends, is author of several books, including Hair & Fashion.
High Profile on 03/06/2016