Spring into SPRING FASHION!

Why is it that when the seasons change, we all want new wardrobes?

This is why the fashion world invented trends that change from season to season to keep us fashionistas looking fab and spending $$$.

The snow in Chicago is slowly melting away and with the first glimmer of spring quickly approaching, my desire for flowery prints, mini dresses, wedges, new sunglasses, a white purse, and fun accessories is a constant reminder me of how badly I need a JOB!

Soooooo, in the mean time, I guess I will create numerous shopping carts on various websites full of items that I can't afford, and dog ear every page in fashion magazines in hopes that someday I will be able to look as fabulous as my fantasy mind makes me appear.

The March issues of Harper's Bazaar provided a huge representation of everything that I want this Spring. Here is what is HOT according to Harper:

URBAN UPGRADE: From motocross leather to biker shorts and studded boots, touch chic is the way to go. Star idea: the leather/jersey combo. Pair your leather jacket with a cutesy little floral mini, or a jersey sundress. Upgrade your black leather jacket for a soft blush or beige - make your edgy leather sweet and feminine.

JACKETS: Shoulders are wide and wider. It seems that Michael Jackson left a huge impact on jacket designers within the last year. Wear them with rounded-hip pants or over gentle dresses. Contrast the uniform strictness with a softer pant or skirt - but no frills on parade.

PANTS: Trousers are back in force! Since harem pants are a no-no for anyone with hips (NO! ew), try a simpler alternative: pants with a forgiving flap, gently folded across the stomach.

J.Crew is offering an adorable and affordable cropped silky pant that will channel the safari

trend we are seeing for spring - pair with nude wedges or a pump and a fitted top!

J.Crew silky linen slouchy pant - $69.50! What a deal and LOVE the shoes, too!

Wide pants with high heels; narrow pants with flats.

SHORTS: Tailored shorts under a fitted jacket look surprisingly good, especially when they create an A-line silhouette. Hot tip: Shorts are the new miniskirt.

I am short, which makes shorts difficult for me to wear. I love this look and luckily a few of my favorite designers are working this A-line silhouette to be more slimming and uber feminine!

Super cute Marc Jacobs twill shorts on Shopbop. Looks like a mini skirt!

Work in some spring pattern with these piped shorts from Milly! Available on Shopbop.

SKIRTS: Is the long, slim skirt really on the way back? It stepped out on the international runways with more grace than conviction. With so many versions of the dress and pant as a two-piece alternative, skirts are struggling to catch the moment. The long, lean pencil sketch of a skirt could be just the thing to freshen up last year's elongated cardigan or team with a drapey top. Verdict: The long, slim skirt could be the sleeper that wakes up. OR, fun minis are pretty much out. Class up your style with a fitted pencil skirt and draped chiffon top!

DRESSES: What a plethora of choice! What fun! What wardrobe stars! (I love Harper's Bazaar) The hot dresses are like products of a junior-high geometry lesson. If you want more of a security blanket, the shirtdress has made a crisp, clear comeback. The glamazon look is a draped dress, perfecting the figure for those who don't have curves. The cutaway shoulder is the seasonal trend. More nostalgic is the floral-patterned housedress, which is less like a 1940s recession-era throwback when the flowers are swapped for geometric or computer smudge patterns.

Dress for success: a boxy shape, worn free form with a bold pin on the shoulder or cinched with a wide, studded belt.

A few of my faves for the season...

If you are scared of print, this a great dress to introduce a little spring happiness into your wardrobe. Pencey Cartoon Dress available on Shopbop.

This dress by Myne is a great example of cutout shoulders that look feminine rather than dominatrix. Cute, subtle print for spring. Available on Shopbop.

Love, love, love, love, obsessed, adorable, classic, fun. Such a hip shirtdress in a silky, adorable pattern by Rebecca Taylor. On Shopbop, of course.

FABRICS: It's all in the mix: liquid silk with dry weaves, ecofabrics with high-tech finishes, fake denim and fine jersey, silk charmeuse and metal mesh. Rough up the look with unfinished edges.

PATTERNS: Checks, stripes, overlapping squares, tie dye, techno colors, computer enhancement, and futurist revival.

Safe bet: Black and white stripes.

I recently read somewhere that stripes are the best investment in your wardrobe. They are an instant classic and appear to be expensive even if they may not be. I know some of you may think that stripes aren't very flattering, but trust me - pair stripes with basic and take on the streets with confidence.

I love this trend of print-on-print...

Love this Rebecca Taylor floral blouse paired with denim polka-dot shorts.

COLORS: Beige, flesh, and khaki with flashes of spicy yellow, apricot and saffron.

The winner: No surprises - the neutrals have it.

TO MY READERS: BUY YOURSELF A PAIR OF NEUTRAL PUMPS! Patent heals or earthy wedges. These go with EVERRRRYYYYTHINGGGG!

Okay, even though these are gray - I am obsessed with the straps on these booties.

Uber sexy, cool. I love wedges.

BAGS: Back to practicality - bucket shapes, triangular totes, satchels, boxy clutches. For decoration: more quilting and ruching, fewer studs and metalwork.

LOVE this Rebecca Minkoff Linear Stud Rocker Bag.

LOVE this Charlie My Love Cheyenne Fringe Bag.

LOVE this Diane von Furstenberg Hayworth Tote. Great way to add some spicy yellow to your outfit!

Yay Spring! Yay new clothes that I can't afford!

Thank you Shopbop for being my one-stop shopping outlet! Thank you Harper's Bazaar for being a fabulous teacher in my ongoing dream of being Chicago's fashionista!