Belk Spring Fashion Preview

Arlene Goldstein, the Belk vice president of trend merchandising and fashion direction, chatted with local fashion bloggers, stylists and journalists at the Belk Fashion Preview in Raleigh.

I had the opportunity to attend the Belk Fashion Preview in Raleigh this week, and was very excited to see what was around the corner for spring. The silhouettes aren't drastically different from what we've seen in the past, but the color combos will be fresh and new.

Black and white combinations are a great way to start the season. Arlene Goldestein, the Belk vice president of fashion direction and trend merchandising, considers the pairing a palette cleanser from the dark hues of the fall.  I definitely agree. There's something modern about this combination. 

Mixing pale pastels with dark colors is also a hot concept this season. 

Multiple patterns in one outfit is an ongoing trend that will have an ubiquitous presence this spring. For tips on how to collage your patterns, check out my post on Power Prints. 

And check out a few more of the trends! 

Lace will be one of the most dominant textiles for the spring. You'll see it in all sorts of hues. And white will be a huge color this season, too. Not just white dresses, but white shoes, accessories and more!

Statement jewelry is a must-have, especially with necklaces. And don't forget your prints!

So what are you looking forward to wearing this spring?

Springing Ahead To Spring

For the next few days, the weather will be warm and sunny in Wilmington. It'll be so warm that you may confuse the dead of winter with the early days of spring. So why not take this time to revel in what's to come for the next season?

The Pantone Fashion Color Report, released last fall, revealed a palette filled with muted pastels and exuberant brights. Now that it's 70 degrees outside, I can actually imagine wearing these beautiful colors!

Basking in today's pleasant sunniness has me thinking of warm color combos, such as  Linen, Poppy Red and Nectarine - colors that are sure to be strong power players in the local retail market. 

What spring colors are you looking forward to wearing?

Scandal Style: The Olivia Pope Look

Every woman loves the simple, yet confident style of "Scandal's" Olivia Pope. She's strong, brazen and effortlessly chic in every outfit she's seen in. It's not hard to pull off an Pope-inspired ensemble on your own, just stick to your basics:

The Suit Jacket: Many of Pope's blazers have a special detailing in the silhouette that give her that extra oomph. Whether its a stand collar or a flattering peplum, she knows how to make a statement with her jackets.

The Tailored Trouser: Not too tight, not too lose. Most of Pope's trousers have a straight leg to skim over her slim figure. If you're a bit curvier than Pope, aim for a wide leg pant to achieve a similar look.

The Sassy Sheath: On occasion, you'll see the Fixer wearing a dress, and when you do, it'll be a flattering sheath paired with a stunning overcoat.

*Style Tip* Look for these basics in muted neutrals and pastels.

Scandal Style: The Olivia Pope Look by jdagency featuring talbots

Ann Taylor sheath dress
anntaylor.com

Talbot
talbots.com

Checkered jacket
thelimited.com

Low rise pants
express.com

Scandal Style: The Pope Jacket

You can exude the sophistication and charisma of "Scandal's" Olivia Pope by sporting a trench coat. Pope is often seen wearing the one shown below or some variation of it in a muted neutral. Pick up a coat of your own locally at one of the stores below, and be sure to wear it at the Scandal Premiere Party on Jan. 10!

Scandal Style: The Pope Jacket by jdagency featuring ann taylor

Ann taylor
anntaylor.com

Banana Republic trench coat
bananarepublic.gap.com

Coat
express.com

Scandal Style: Harrison Wright

There's no denying the fact that Harrison Wright is the eye candy on "Scandal." His confidence and tailored suits are enough to make any Scandalista tune in every week. If you're a gentleman planning to attend the Scandal Premiere Party as this handsome character, then here are a few essentials to look for in your look:

The Suit: The suits are generally single breasted, 2-buttoned and tailored.  If wearing a 2-piece isn't your speed, look for a vest with matching flat-front slacks or wear a dress shirt with tailored trousers and suspenders.

The Shirt: This character is usually seen in softer pastels. You can't go wrong with a solid, gingham or striped print, especially when you're matching the shirt with contrasting tie patterns.

The Tie: Stick to strong patterns and don't aim for subtle. Rarely, if ever, is this character seen on the show with a solid-color tie. We love this combination of the circle tie paired with the gingham shirt shown above.

Scandal Style: Harrison Wright by jdagency featuring blazers

Blazer
bananarepublic.gap.com

Lauren Ralph Lauren Dress Shirt Slim Fit Stripe Dress Shirt
belk.com

Lauren Ralph Lauren Dress Shirt Classic-Fit Bennett Herringbone Dress...
belk.com

J.Crew Silk Tie In Bright Stripe
jcrew.com

Saddlebred Terry Square Neat Tie
belk.com

Scandal Style: Huck

When your line of work involves assassinations and covering up evidence, you probably don't have the time to worry about fashion. But "Scandal's" Huck has a distinct, uber-casual style that you can mimic for the "Scandal" Premiere Party on Jan. 10.

His uniform is a simple one that revolves around comfort and practicality. To achieve his look, stick to the three basic layers:

The Tee or Henley: Usually, Huck can be seen sporting one underneath another shirt. He tends to lean towards the solid crewneck variety.

The Button Down: On one of the final episodes of Season 2, Huck wore a chambray button down - a rare departure from his low-effort uniform. He's typically seen in dark, plaid patterns, like the button down pictured below from the local menswear store, Bloke.

The Full Zip Hoodie: This is a staple in Huck's wardrobe, and he's often seen wearing one of these in a solid color over one or two of the aforementioned layers. Functional, no frills.

*Style Tip* Huck doesn't have time to tuck in his shirts, but he does occasionally roll up the sleeves of his button down, especially when there's dirty work involved!

Scandal Style: Huck by jdagency on Polyvore

Televised Style

We love styling our clients, especially for television!

Our client, Dr. Patrice Carter, author of "SUPERb Woman: From Bad Girl to God's Girl", was featured on the News 14 Carolina "In Depth" segment with Marti Skold. And her styling was courtesy of the JD Agency.

Photography courtesy of Carter Multimedia Consulting.

Dr. Carter's style is usually bold with chunky jewelry and patterned tops and dresses - all of which can be problematic on television. Patterns can cause visual noise and heavy jewelry can distract from the face when the show is exclusively shot waist up.

So for this show, we kept Dr. Carter's look simple but vibrant with this raspberry tart blouse from Talbots  and a demure necklace from her personal collection. We wanted the focus to be on her face, so we advised the author to keep her makeup sun-kissed and radiant. And we maintained her hair bold and funky style with a natural twist-out!

Scandal Style: The Olivia Pope Blouse

With the "Scandal" Premiere Party less than two weeks away, you'll need to find your Olivia Pope ensemble! This brazen character has an understated look that's absolutely formulaic. Tailored pieces with special detailing matched with simple jewelry and a statement bag equals the effortlessly impressive look of this power character.

We'll post some suggestions on where to find your "Scandal" staples locally or online right here on the blog, so be sure to check back frequently for updates! 

For now, let's take gander at Olivia Pope's stunning blouses - an essential garment in her style arsenal. 

Scandal Style: The Blouse by jdagency featuring ann taylor

Talbots long shirt
talbots.com

Ann taylor
anntaylor.com

Ann Taylor camisole top
anntaylor.com

CONTRAST FABRIC SHORT SLEEVE EASY TOP at Express
express.com

NYE Style: Black and Gold

New Year's Eve is finally here! I'm a huge fan of black and gold for this occasion. Upgrade the look with Minx nails for an added touch of sparkle. And keep your makeup subtle and glowy.

What are you planning to wear tonight?

NYE Style: Black and Gold by jdagency featuring black handbags

Sequin dress
$56 - desireclothing.co.uk

High heel shoes
boohoo.com

Coast black handbag
$97 - johnlewis.com

Gelateria I 20 1/2" Square Framed Photo Wall Art
lampsplus.com

Scandal Premiere Party

UPDATE 

Attention all "Scandal" fans! Mark your calendars, because there will be a Scandal premiere party in Wilmington at the Melting Pot on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.! Come watch the return of your favorite show with fellow fans and dress up as your favorite character for a chance to win door prizes! Tickets are $5 and attendees are asked to bring along one item of clothing donation to benefit Vintage Values.

I'll be one of the guest judges for this event, so come dressed to impress! And if you need tips on where to buy your scandalous ensemble, I'll be posting suggestions on where you can go online and locally to complete your look!