Puddle jumping in color

Well, for the past three days it’s been raining. I realize in a recent blog I extolled the virtues of rain, but to be honest, days of it get a tad dreary. I guess I should be used to it having lived in London, but as I recall the rain didn’t last all day and night there, rather debuted in short spurts, which lasted twenty minutes or so, and then went away.

Gosh, can you imagine living in Seattle or San Francisco (and dressing for the weather) day in and out? It must be tricky always finding new ways to wear your raincoat, boots and hat. Hmm. I imagine for them it’s especially nice now that spring’s offering such colorful trends in the form of bright hues like blue, yellow and red.

Speaking of color, one of my favorite contemporary designers, Daryl K, has some brilliant offerings this season. When I lived and shopped in New York City I would often buy her things at Barney’s Co-Op. After a brief hiatus –she stopped designing for a while – she’s back and her collection is as snazzy as ever. This season, Daryl is doing cherry red dresses in the most adorable cuts and styles. I especially love this cotton version with simple elastic hem. Surprise elements are one of the best ways to jazz up a simple silhouette. I’d wear this to lunch with snazzy metallic flip-flops and a straw bag or to drinks with these cream Pucci gladiator sandals and a small clutch.

On other bright fronts, everyone’s talking about Rich and Skinny jeans. An offshoot from Citizens of Humanity, the lines is targeted towards the girls who still covet the drainpipe jean but in a strong and lean cut. With 13 different styles and washes -- I especially like the red – they pack a lot of punch for the day-to-day. Wear with a cute boat-neck tee or a simple, solid tank.

On the opposite spectrum of skinny, are these bold jean styles from Dittos. In homage to Farrah Fawcett’s popular 1970s high-waist, wide leg cut, these are the perfect answer when flaws like a large behind or thighs rear their ugly head. Sigh. We could all use the help I imagine. Oh, and their grass green version is especially fun. Rightfully called envy, the color would be pair perfectly with a stark white top and layers of necklaces (every once and while I go for the jewelry) for a bit of pop and pomp.

The final stop on today’s color tour visits the shoes of Dolce Vita. This company has exploded on the style scene in the last few seasons and rightfully so. I remember buying my first pair two summer’s ago at a little boutique in Birmingham. The sandals were adorable and designed in this funky gray metallic leather -- which is still holding up to this day. The soles are ultra lightweight and incredibly forgiving, making them one of the most comfortable brands out there. I stopped when I saw a whole display of them at Nordstrom’s last week and marveled at how many styles they currently have. And the colors! From sunny yellow to bright turquoise there is something for everyone. Pair them with a summer dress for a post-work get-together or with a jean skirt for those last-minute jaunts to the market.