The first signs of spring for me are when: the days get longer, the first shoots appear above the soil, and women start coming into the store to do their research for the upcoming season. And educated customers know that they need to start planning their spring and summer wardrobes in February, not June.

Last spring and summer were very “neutral,” with not much going on in the colour department. But for most of us who enjoy colour, you will be happy to know that this season is all about bright and bold. And yes, denim remains a mainstay in the fashion industry.

A great pair of jeans is a must. However, one thing I have experienced over and over is that women have a hard time spending a lot of money on jeans. I have clients who will spend hundreds of dollars on an evening dress that they’ll wear three times, but have trouble investing in a great pair of jeans they’ll wear every other day. If you’re like me, you probably live in denim 50 to 80 per cent of the time. Why would you not invest in a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly? I am not saying you “have” to spend $200 on a pair of jeans, but if they are the ones that fit you the best, then why not?

So many women come into the store and say they spent $70 on a pair of jeans that they hate and have completely bagged out. So my question is, why not take that money and put it towards a quality pair of jeans that you’ll love wearing?

Quality is what separates good denim from bad. The best denim you can buy is usually made in Japan or Italy. Denim has “memory,” and the better quality the denim, the better “memory” it has. This translates into jeans that keep their shape instead of bagging out all over.

If you are fashion conscious and want to stay up-to-date, here’s a little advice: your jeans will tell if you are current or living in the past. Lighter washes are great for warmer sunnier weather, but dark denim remains a mainstay. Wear the darker denim in the evening for a dressier look. Flowing wide legs are a great look this spring. And please, ladies, don’t wear your styling jeans with a pair of old gym sneakers!

I like to buy Canadian whenever I can, and if possible I love to support Vancouver designers. Fidelity denim is a perfect choice for both quality and design. This is a great brand that I strongly recommend.
 
So now that you are up-to-date on the world of denim, here’s a list of things that will complete your spring wardrobe without too much time or money spent.

?    A skinny coloured scarf – that’s right, scarves aren’t just for winter.
?    A pair of ballerina flats – with skinny jeans or leggings and a tunic.
?    A brightly coloured tote.
?    A pair of aviator sunglasses.
?    A pretty floral tunic.
?    A dress – a good choice for many bodies is the wrap.
?    Body slimmer – under the thin, coloured t-shirts they smooth everything out.

The best piece of advice I can offer is don’t wait until it’s 80 degrees outside and you have nothing new to wear. Chances are, if you wait until June lots of the great pieces will already be gone! And ladies, spring for the jeans – you won’t regret it. Happy shopping!

Erica Hughes is the owner of Get Dressed, in the Parkgate Shopping Centre, North Vancouver. 604 924-2600

Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Apr - May 08