Hats off to spring--even if it feeds the birds. Eastern Market Pocket Park feeder
“Goodbye ugly boots, helloooo heels,” says my friend Heather. We are talking about the onset of spring-like weather, hopefully heralding the arrival of a season of pretty, diaphanous, sugar-spun days, and how we greet them sartorially, at least.
Because these days will soon greet us with their cherry blossoms, daffodils and tulips all in a row (house), it is high time to dump the water-logged, beaten-down suede and pack away the woolens for the moths (or deserving MOTHs) for next year’s snow battles.
I saw a woman, apparently so excited for spring this week, in burgundy patent shoes accompanied by a patent bag in bright blue for a stroll. A few steps later was a toddler outfitted in the cleanest, brightest pair of miniature green Crocs this side of the Potomac.
“My goal in the next few weeks is to pack up my winter clothes and then get my spring/summer stuff from Pennsylvania,” said the Hill’s lovely Jordan S., who works for the U.S. Army but favors jewel tones and high-definition trench coats over Army greens. “I was walking around Eastern Market after church and you could tell people were ready for spring,” she said.
“People were wearing sun dresses with layers, lots of color, sunglasses, and everyone had their dog with them. People were also carrying their coats and other layers. Plus everyone was out and about…you could just feel the spring fever.”
PTA Vice President Heather S. is looking for lighter-weight fabrics that move, “but not flutter–that’s summer,” she said. Heather, when not chest-deep in housecleaning or auction-planning, promises her spring-training shirts will be long-sleeved and cotton, while a closet of sun dresses are on the bench, ready and waiting for ever-warmer days.
Kjersten, who catches and freezes wild Alaskan salmon when not on Kentucky Avenue, opts for vests in lieu of jackets for casual days, her favorite being a lime green vest she bought from Cabela’s, a hunting and fishing emporium in Washington state.
When not opting for a casual look, she goes for colorful little sweater sets, something along the lines of J. Crew or Talbots, which are very Washingtonian these days — think Michelle Obama, think pearls — with fun ballet flats. This season, you’ll find flats festooned with leather and fabric flowers and bows, in silver and gold and patent and floral, all ready for your feet, even if your feet aren’t ready for them.
If you’re thinking new shoes won’t outlive the mud and the rain (our fair spring’s B-side) a new bag in a pastel such as mint green, yellow, peach and Tiffany blue is a good bet to brighten a neutral wardrobe without worrying about a scuff, according to local elementary school cheerleading and spirit team coach, Sui Lang Panoke.
And, apparently, spring fever can even take root in diaper bag chic on the Hill.
My curiosity piqued by a THIH blogger without a baby on board who coveted the Petunia Pickle Bottom ‘Cake Society Convertible Baby Bag in apple tart cake green, as encountered at Monkey’s Uncle, I went over to see what the deal was.
Co-owner Jay Keegan said he Tweeted the bag’s availability at the children’s consignment shop and within an hour, the Italian cut velvet diaper bag had sold for $175. It retails for $325. Shoes, diaper bag, diaper bag, new shoes? Hmm…
Just open up your windows to see which of your fabrics flutter in the breeze, put them on, and go out and enjoy the first blossoms of the season beginning to shimmy up from the ground now. But be sure to save some money for your Easter hats and parasols, folks!
