Romance isn't limited to just
chocolates and champagne. How
about a little lace to go with
it? This is the perfect time of
year to flirt a little bit with
your wardrobe. Send a message of
love to your inner style diva. A
ruffle here, a strappy sandal
there, and the woman in workout
sweats is instantly transformed
into a ravishing romantic.
Here are a few essentials to
give your wardrobe a dose of
stylish romance, even if your
favorite go-to outfit is jeans
and a T-shirt:
— Anything with ruffles.
They're a trendy must-have this
spring, and you'll find ruffles
cascading down shirts, skirts
and soft cardigan sweaters.
Anything that gives a flash of
flutter can only make you feel a
little more feminine.
— A swirly skirt. Think fluid
fabrics like chiffon, rayon or
silk in a flippy style that hits
above the knee. A-lines are
always figure-flattering, but
short pencil skirts can also add
that "sexy secretary" feel to
your wardrobe.
— A wrap dress. Slinky is the
name of the game for this
classic popularized by Diane Von
Furstenberg years ago. In solid
black or red jersey, it's always
a winner; in geometric or floral
prints, it's not so serious.
— A silk or satin camisole.
Lingerie-inspired, these "under"
garments are the romantic way to
give your "professional" jackets
and sweaters a touch of romance.
And you can give this item as
much "play" as you want, showing
off great accessories, such as
an attention-getting statement
necklace.
— Sequined tanks. A little
bit of sparkle goes a long way.
See above.
— Anything lace. Lace is
another fabric that has always
had romantic connotations.
Whether you wear it in a top
layered over a camisole or on a
pair of slip-on mules, it hints
of sophisticated glamour with an
air of mystery that any drama
queen would love.
— Animal prints. Grrrrrr ...
these still roar when it comes
to choosing a foxy look. Often
you only need a touch of the
feline print — a patent
animal-print pump, faux fur
cuffs on a sweater or a chic
cheetah clutch — to pull off a
stylish look with more fashion
flair.
— A sheer blouse. The perfect
layering piece for a romantic
wardrobe, the transparent
chiffons, organzas or georgettes
give you lots of options. Add
some ruffles, and you have
double trouble.
— Silk flowers. The big and
bold necklace may be a hit on
the fashion trend scene this
year, but there are a few other
"late bloomers" that are growing
in popularity out there, too.
One large silk flower, in a
pretty lilac or rose color
pinned onto a lapel or even a
strand of pearls, can really
turn you into a modern
Victorian.
— Heels. Whether it's a pair
of sky-high gladiator sandals or
a modest pair of kitten heel
slides, dress your shoe wardrobe
up with something other than
flip-flops and sneakers.
High-heel boots can also be a
romantic addition to your
wardrobe, especially in soft
suede. Skip the clunky clogs
that are hitting the stores this
spring.
— Sexy stockings. Ooh, la,
la. Teamed with long tunic tops
or short skirts, sheer hosiery
or patterned tights can add that
extra dose of romance to any
outfit. Try them in bright
colors for even more pizzazz.
— Stones that sparkle. Hey,
they may hang from your ears or
decorate your fingers. But if
you can find only one major
piece of bling, turn on the
lights and fight fire with fire!
Sharon Mosley is a former
fashion editor of the Arkansas
Gazette in Little Rock and
executive director of the
Fashion Editors and Reporters
Association. To find out more
about Sharon Mosley and read
features by other Creators
Syndicate writers and
cartoonists, visit the Creators
Syndicate website at
www.creators.com.
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