Spring is here and the vaccines abound! Best of all, we now have places to GO! (and I’m NOT talking about the grocery store).

Yes, you now have lots of places to shop, and shop sustainably, but always start with your closet. Slow fashion is definitely trending these days … ironic at a time when unemployment remains high, and the fashion industry itself is struggling to find its footing in the Age of Covid.

Actually, in one way the pandemic may have been the best thing to happen to the industry. Travel bans forced designers to forego global treks to CO2-producing live runway shows in favor of greener practices. Fashionistas are loving those online streaming lookbooks!

Another industry trend boosted by the pandemic? Upcycling, which embraces the notion that everything old is new again, and for years has been an established practice of sustainable fashion designers like Eileen Fisher. Her current “No Waste” campaign promotes the company’s refashioning of “discarded” items into something new and trendy. The pandemic has forced other major labels to embrace the practice as well. Hint: check your closet for items you may be able to reuse or refashion on your own.

With Thrifty as the new Trendy, and with work being this season’s fashion focus (… haven’t we been emailing resumes long enough?!) just what IS the look for Spring and Summer 2021?

Casual Style RULES

In the age of the Zoom meeting (no, they haven’t gone away yet), Business Casual has been radically redefined. From wide-leg trousers to ribbed knitwear, casual is the New Norm for work … whether “work” is on the sofa with the laptop, or in the office. And happily, we're not ALWAYS working ...

The Power of Pastels

For that day of meetings, Zoom or otherwise, a little color goes a long way. While you don’t want to be the main topic in the office chat room due to a bold color choice, you don’t have to fade into the background, either.

Skin is IN

The good news is that women don’t have to dress like men anymore to be taken seriously. In fact, you might be the boss, with a team answering to you. Since you’re allowed to embrace your feminine style, and skin is in, don’t be afraid to show a little.

Awesome Accessories

Strappy heels, long necklaces and statement bags are this season’s accessories. The open-toe shoe is trendy this season, as is the filing folder purse. Need more room to tote your stuff? Forgo that paper-thin folder for a yellow bag.

Maintain the Mask

You may be vaccinated, but for now, that doesn’t mean you get to live mask-free. More than 565,000 Americans are dead from the coronavirus, and that number is still growing. So until the CDC says otherwise, Mask Up. These days it’s a Fashion Statement.

Spring/Summer 2021 is a return to a time of going out, dining in, and eventually standing close and even hugging strangers. So let’s celebrate -- style it up a bit. After all, those sweat pants and pjs could use a rest. Stay safe, and dress sustainably.

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