One of Echo's designers, Sarah, went to Paris recently and came back with notes on what styles are in Paris stores and what they're wearing on the streets. 
She said Paris was only half ready for spring this season.  The major department stores still had a lot of dark winter clothes   Yet, there were a lot of beautiful spring clothes.  Most of the stand alone shops on the left bank were in full spring mode. Overall, the clothes and accessories were very pretty and wearable with great attention to detail.

As always, the French are obsessed with all things nautical and there was more of this theme this year than ever.  Every designer had their knit stripe sailor tee but the newness was in the unexpected color and details - such as ruching, piecing and the use of different scale stripes in the same garment.  There were whimsical additions such as hot pink palettes sewn into little flower shapes atop a pink and white striped sweater at Sonia Rykiel; silver chains applied to a draped boat neck at Kookai;  wide studded belts wrapped around gondolier tops at Victoire. Paul Smith and Claudie Perlot had applied fabric bows on shirts, dresses and pants.

Nautical stripes are a great addition to your wardrobe for spring - in a scarf, dress, umbrella or a cardigan. These are easy, simple pieces that can be the statement in your ensemble without making you look like a sailor on the high seas. Unless of course, you want that. Pirates are all the rage right now. 

Striped cardigan;  striped scarf ring; bold stripe umbrella; one shoulder sailor striped dress; striped t-shirt dress with cut out

You may have many reasons for why your favorite color is your favorite color - or maybe you don't know why.  Perhaps it's the feeling it gives you. Maybe it reminds you of someone, something or a special place.  Colors have a profound effect on our mood - whether you are aware of it happening or not. But choosing the right color for the right time might be just that little boost you need.  Therefore the colors you choose for your wardrobe and in your home are pretty important.  Do you have one room that is your oasis? Do you have a go-to shirt for those important meetings? What color are they? Double - check. I'll bet you'll be surprised :)

"An apple reflects a shade of red to the retina, forming impulses that travel as coded messages to the brain, where hormones are released, altering metabolism, sleeping, feeding and temperature patterns. So you see, we don't just notice colors, we feel them. Mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, they empower us. Dawn to dusk, they rule our world, transforming nature's energy into personal realization. Every color has its own personality and in each lies knowledge and clarity."  ~Suza Scalora

So in advance of the first day of spring (Saturday March 20) I'd like to offer a bit of enthusiastic, playful optimism. Here is a little yellow for you.

Color At Home: Creating Style With Paint ; Flower Power Wallpaper;  Lilies in Bloom Scarf

Here are some meanings that colors portray or suggest:
Brown - stability, earthy, reliable
Blue - tranquil , intuitive, trustworthy 
Green - growth, abundance vitality 
Red - energy, determination, passion 
Purple - spiritual, passionate, visionary 
Turquoise - refreshing, cool, imaginative 
Gold - illumination, wisdom 
Lavender - romantic, imaginative, fantasy 
Magenta - outrageous, imaginative, inovative 
Light Blue - peaceful, sincere, affectionate 
Orange - happy, courageous, successful 
Indigo - knowledge, power, integrity 
Pink - friendly, compassionate, faithful 
Yellow - enthusiastic, playful, optimistic 
Aqua - motivated, active, dynamic

If you're a reader of the New York Times, take a moment to flip through to the magazine this Sunday and see our new spring ad, shown below. It features 3 different scarves and the overall image looks like a flower. Hope the color brightens your day and that flowers are blooming wherever you are!

This spring season we see interest shifting from couture to the culture of art and design.  There has been a revival of the avant garde in textiles. Designers are rethinking their components of design and fashion is taking its cue from animation, illustration, paintings and craft. The result is an exciting eclectic mix of watercolor brights - and it's fun and easy to integrate this into any wardrobe.

Whatever your favorite color is, this season’s explosive new shades pack a powerful punch and there is a lot to choose from. Tangerines, citrines and dynamic neons make for a tangy combination and these bold strokes of color light up fashion that can easily translate from day outfits into night.  Spring’s kaleidoscope of colors and artistic patterns range from florals to geometrics to fearless graffiti scribbling – the effect is exhilarating, unexpected and inspiring. Breezy layers of sheer cotton, chiffons, or organzas – modernly overlay atop colorful wovens or color block knits. Florals get a bold makeover in disorienting proportions and in abstracting crude painted techniques. It’s a joyful manic artistic movement where flowers, stripes, dots and abstract geometrics float on washed, breezy and crinkled surfaces. Electrifying color, freedom of imagination and limitless artistic inspiration…the outlook is optimistically bright for Spring.

The best thing about spring's bright colors is that it's easy to be on trend with your existing wardrobe.  By simply adding a splash of color to a neutral outfit like khakis, camouflage green, greys and denim blues you can update your wardrobe and create a fresh new look.  Happy Spring!