Business & Tech
Spring 2011 Fashion: Women's Dresses
We track the trends in color, pattern and design at area stores.
Whether it's for graduations, parties, picnics or other occasions this spring, a seasonal dress is always a good staple in a woman's wardrobe. Several stores in the Ladue-Frontenac area, including Cha Boutique, , and , have great dresses that are perfect for any occasion.
Essential Colors: Coral, Blue and White
Coral, blue and white are the go-to colors for spring 2011. We came across dresses that embody this at all four stores, including a silk Alice and Trixie dress ($260) at Cha that is blue with a paisley pattern that brings in coral, white, a lighter shade of blue and pink. Also picking up on the color trends at Cha is a gorgeous Chan Luu ivory and orange sequin splatter shift dress ($260) that is paired with a slip ($40) underneath.
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MACS and Essential Elements also have coral dresses. At MACS, they have a great coral dress ($80) that pairs well with gold jewelry (also on-trend this season). Essential Elements has a Velvet-brand coral-and-white-patterned dress ($129).
Bright Colors
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This spring, bright colors other than the essential coral, blue and white are also popular. Essential Elements has a great green tiered dress ($124) that is perfect for spring. Cha has a striking button-up yellow dress ($253) that looks fantastic when paired with an equally vibrant bag. MACS has a great ruffled teal dress ($114) that also pairs well with gold jewelry.
Floral Patterns
Floral patterns are blooming everywhere this spring. The best example of this can be seen at Cha in a coral Yoana Baraschi tunic dress ($350) that has large flowers printed on the fabric.
Retro Style
Mod and color-blocked dresses reminiscent of the 1960s can also be seen at area stores. Marta's has a great grey and black color-blocked dress. At MACS, they have a couple of mod-style dresses that also incorporate this spring's floral trend ($160 each).
Long, flowing dresses reminiscent of the 1970s are definitely in, as evidenced at Cha with a Gypsy-brand tye-dye lavender maxi dress ($210). The tye-dye trend can also be seen at Essential Elements in a shorter pink and white Velvet-brand dress ($140).
Little Black Dress
Every woman would probably consider the little black dress an essential wardrobe piece. While black isn't necessarily the shade of choice this season, several stores still offer variations on the dress, including Essential Elements and Marta's. At Marta's, a dose of color can be added to the little black dress by pairing it with a teal ruffled jacket ($230) and black belt ($23).
Be sure to check out our photo gallery for pictures of Kristen Bly, ChrisAnn Brunsmann, Kerri Hartmann, Nicki Myers and Debby Siegel modeling the dresses mentioned in this story and more. We also have some behind-the-scenes video from day one of our women's shoot, in which Brunsmann, Hartmann and Siegel all share their highlights of spring fashion.
This segment is part of a series of spring fashion stories, which started with . Check back with Ladue-Frontenac Patch for a feature on women's casual wear tomorrow, and soon for kids' Easter outfits, prom dresses and more spring fashion.