5 Fashion Tips to get Spring in your step
This is always an exciting time of the year. Winter may still be in the air but spring fashion is slowly taking over the shops and finding its way into our wardrobes. As what we wear transitions from winter to spring you can see people visibly brighten, lighten up and step a little more confidently.
Today’s blog was inspired yesterday by the sight of a young girl’s unnaturally orange and ill-applied tan. It occurred to me that in mere weeks, as the weather gets warmer, we will start to drop the layers and bare our pale and fragile skin after the long winter spent protecting it.
While finally exposing our skin to the sun is great for boosting our vitamin D levels, those first few weeks can have an adverse effect on our self-image.
This is the time when those who accept winter – and the lack of natural glow that goes with it – stand out from those who fight winter with self-tanning, tanning beds and getaway destinations – and believe me, the haves are often unkind to the have-nots.
Only last week on Facebook I posted a picture of myself wearing an outfit that showcased my lily-white legs and I got a reply suggesting I badly needed some tanning lotion!
Until the day comes when everyone can be accepted as they are – sun kissed tanned or gothic white – and for those who are self-conscious about exposing their lily-white skin this spring, here are my top five fashion tips heading into Spring:
1) Get your fake tan done professionally. If that isn’t an option, do it gradually to avoid looking orange and/ or streaky. Remember a natural tan isn’t instant and neither is a fake one.
2) Avoid going to short too quickly! With the midi-length hitting us from every angle, perhaps this is a good option to begin with rather than jumping straight to the mini..
3) Leggings can still be worn in the spring, especially for those cooler days, and are perfect with an ankle boot or even a flat. However, leggings are NOT pants, so remember light weight tops to cover your bits please girls.
4) Cardigans are a great transition into spring. Less bulky than a jacket or blazer, the available options are plentiful. These can also be a great option if you are carrying a little unwanted weight through the tummy or around your arms.
5) Remember as this is the new drop for the season, stores will be throwing ALL of the trends at you at once. Resist the temptation to over-trend! With all of the delicious new styles to try, choose a few, keep your body shape in mind and remember that simplicity is key.
So, tan or don’t, as you wish. Enjoy all that spring has to offer, including the fashion, but keep your head about it. Revel in the fact the sun is shining and will be more often and enjoy the lighter, brighter days ahead.
Fiona Foster says
Hi Cindy, it disappointed me to read that someone should comment that you needed tanning lotion. It is disheartening, in this age where women and girls are bombarded with everyone telling them how they should look, dress and act, that a little expose of reality is met with a judgmental comment. Unfortunately, it is so often another woman who lets her sisterhood down and in this case I have no doubt it was so. How long will it take until we are forward and outward thinking enough to look beyond ourselves to realise how much our negativity effects the bigger picture. Being yourself, whilst causing no harm to anyone, should never attract criticism. Neither should it need to attract praise, or be labelled such condescending terms as ‘courageous’, ‘earth-mother’ or ‘feminist’. You should not need to be ‘brave’ to be yourself, with or without decoration. People should stop and think before they open their mouths or in this case, clattered away at their keyboard.
Cindy Newstead says
Fiona, this is such a well thought out comment and all I can say is “Thank you” and well said!!!! xo
Rachael says
Hi Cindy
being tall I am struggling to find leggings or ponte pants that fit. I am seriously missing the ‘jeggings’ that were around 2 yrs ago…where can I find them…?? Desperate for new thick leggings to be used for layering & boots…help!
Cindy Newstead says
Hi Rachael, I have always found Country Road and Veronika Maine to have the best leggings for height……don’t know if they are still stocked in the stores at the moment but you could try the DFO! 🙂
Karin says
Great blog Cindy! Can’t believe people still subscribe to the “must be tanned” idea after so much campaigning about skin cancer. It is time to start loving our bodies no matter what skin colour, it is the only one we have! As for young girls wanting to look tanned, it might be worth considering what that damaged skin will look like when they get older. My skin on my arms and hands looks old for my age due to sun exposure. I wasn’t one for tanning but when I was a kid there was only Coppertone factor 4 sunscreen – not very effective for my fair skin. I got burned to a crisp many times and I had a skin cancer removed at 25!!!! I now see a dermatologist on a regular basis to have my skin checked. As for fake tans, they look fake and besides who knows what the chemicals in them are doing? We should start embracing the changes our skin undergoes with the seasons. Trees blossom in spring, so why not be white in spring and let your skin tan naturally as the weather warms up?
Cindy Newstead says
Love your comments Karin, I too sunned myself when younger and therefore my skin is damaged……..so what hey!!!! Thanks also as I am pleased you enjoyed this blog! 🙂 xo
Nicole says
We should accept all shapes and sizes AND the untanned! Being allergic to most sunscreens means I cover up a bit more and therefore I am more naturally whiter. My kids and husband accept me for that. What they think is what matters most. Keep up the great blogs. Looking for a blog on sandals when you get some inspiration 😉
Cindy Newstead says
Thanks Nicole!!! I just wish some people would appreciate that we take photos on the run, I am soooooo busy working all the time, I am not a blogger who just takes photos all day!!! So what if my legs are lilly white and sometimes my skirts are too long for me in a shop…….I am just trying to let everyone know what’s out there in the most natural way possible!!! OK, Sandals are on the to do list!! 🙂 xo