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Top 5 Looks for Spring in Manhattan

By DNAinfo Staff on April 4, 2011 4:58am  | Updated on April 4, 2011 10:34am

By Gabriela Resto-Montero

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — Ready to put the winter doldrums and fickle spring weather behind you? DNAinfo talked with Manhattan fashion experts to find the top five looks you'll need to be ready for spring.

Among the hottest trends this spring, the experts said, are bold primary colors, espadrille sandals, maxi-length skirts, and classic trench coats.

1. Bold-colored accessories: After a fall and winter filled with neutral colors, this season’s palette is a mix of blue, red and orange, according to Ty Williams, founder of Cameo Closets, a closet organization and personal shopping service.

"We had some really recession tones," Williams said of the taupe and beige colors that dominated store shelves over the past few months. "What's great about spring is we're seeing lots of color and lots of solid."

In particular, the Kate Spade Spring 2011 collection boasts bright yellows, lime greens, and coral pink on everything from hats to belts.

At H&M, the accessories rack hosts a rainbow of chunky bracelets and light cotton summer scarves in bold swirl prints and crisscross patterns.

For New Yorkers unwilling to part from their all-black wardrobe, Williams recommended trying to add a splash of color with one or two bright items.

"If you need one pop of color, let that pop be your bag," Williams said.

2. Espadrilles: This season's "it" shoe is shaping up to be the espadrille, which appeared everywhere from the runways at Fashion Week to the catalogs at J Crew.

"Thank God the espadrille is back because it's the most comfortable shoe that a woman can wear and elongate the line and it's great on the feet," Williams said.

Loafers and ballet flats also continue to fly off the shelves at Tania Anthony’s Resale Riches, a TriBeCa consignment boutique.

"A good pair of loafers or car shoes are really important before you move into sandals," said Anthony, whose shelves regularly feature Tory Burch ballet flats and Sperry Top-Siders for men and women.

3. Trench Coats: The classic trench coat never goes out of style, and sets off this season’s styles perfectly.

"A good trench coat is always a must," Anthony said. "I recommend a gently-used Burberry."

Consignment Burberry trenches can run as low as $400, according to Anthony, while a brand new trench costs upwards of $1,100.

Esprit features more affordable trenches that nevertheless cut a classic silhouette and in the season's eye-catching colors.

Light jackets with interesting details such as delicate buttons, unique tailoring and daring patterns are also a great way to kick-up outerwear style for spring, Williams said.

"When you're looking to stay warm in the spring look for really unique jackets," she said.

4. Maxi-skirts: Super-swingy maxi-skirts create a slim, elongated silhouette that was also popular in New York City in the '70s.

But don't let your skirt make you look frumpy, experts say. Stay away from skirts that hit you mid-calf, which is the widest part of the lower leg, stylists warned.

"Between the two, the Maxi is a 'wear-it' and the three-quarter is a 'toss'," said Amy Goodman, a stylist and author of the book "Wear This, Toss That." "It hits you right at your widest part and, unless you love your calves, it's not going to be the right fit for you."

Button-up blouses that can be dressed up or down for the office or after-work also go well with the skirts, Goodman said. 

5. Start with your closet: The key element in prepping for a new season is to find the styles that look best on you, Goodman said.

Odds are, you have most of the components in your closet already, and the best place to start in developing a look for the new season is with what you already have.

"You shouldn't feel like you should have to go out there and buy everything," said Goodman. "Find which trends will work for you and your body type."