A New Day Is Dawning In Fashion

Tina, here.

Big announcement. In a shocking turn of events, the Too Tight and Too Sexy trend is no longer de rigueur in the fashion world. Hands up! It's now about Pretty and Flowy. This means less frontal real estate on deck (i.e. cleavage), and more of the back. It means looser-fitting lines over skintight styles, as in the bootcut is new again. (Can I get some cred please for pushing the benefits of the bootcut for like ever??) And it means, get ready for it, the shoulder is in.

Come again?

Shoulders, like we haven’t seen since the gorgeous necklines of the 1950’s, are making a huge comeback in fashion. I just love a beautiful throwback to the 1950’s, and though we may not have the waistline of a 1950’s Swan, we can have her shoulders.

Embrace the off-the-shoulder trend this season, ladies. Why? Because women’s shoulders don’t tend to show our age as much as our other features do. We don't really gain weight in our shoulders. They don't exactly wrinkle, and, well, there's just something alluring about baring your shoulder. And there's no age limit with the off-the-shoulder trend like there is with mini-skirts and fringe.

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Exposing your shoulders is such a classy and feminine way to be a bit daring.

I love a really feminine top paired with rough-hewn faded jeans. You could as easily wear cowboy boots here as heels.

My off-the-shoulder top is asymmetrical so it actually only exposes one shoulder, which makes it appropriate for daytime or evening.

You'll start seeing some of these wider set shoulder tops, too. These are good hybrid options if you don't want to go whole hog off-the-shoulder.

[Style Vault members, we're working on a special bonus edition for you, shapewear and bras, including an amazing strapless bra that these tops require. Check out the Style Vault to see what you're missing.]

The beauty of a lot of wide-set and off-the-shoulder tops is that you can kinda mess with them and pull the shoulders up higher during the day, and then, with this top, I can actually pull them down quite a bit. [Style Vault members, log in now to shop fresh new items, including off-the-shoulder tops and a strapless bra, just added to the Style Notes in February's Vault.]

I have to confess, I bought this top last summer (it was one of the most popular items members bought in the Style Vault that month!) but I struggled wearing it off my shoulders. Not anymore. I am embracing this look this spring. I guess we were just ahead of the trend on this one. :)

This is a 2-way convertible top. For daytime, and if you can’t wear strapless bras, wear the neckline up on top of your shoulders.

For evening, pull the neckline down to expose your shoulders.

One-shoulder works well, too. But it will be hard to dance in this if that's what's on tap for your night out - the sleeve will keep moving up on your shoulder. Which would be royally irritating.

How old is too old to wear off-the-shoulder tops? There's no age limit. It's not like cleavage and mini-skirts, which is why you'll see this trend being a huge one this spring.

Oh, and one more thing. Don’t be shocked when you are kissed on the shoulder. There’s your fair warning.

Want to work with a real stylist and have us up close and personal, in your closet, shopping with you and styling you? We do that! Barbara and I are taking spring wardrobe makeover appointments now! Check out our in-person wardrobe packages here. And check out the members-only Style Vault here and start shopping our must-haves!

Thanks for reading!

Best,

Tina