Remember those black & white Tarzan and Jane movies from the 1930’s and 40’s?
“Our gal Jane”- civilized explorer
They all began with a beautiful Jane dressed to a tee in full on adventure apparel- usually a stylish khaki pant suit paired with a cute little matching explorer hat. She was the “smart girl” stylishly camouflaged in a foreign land…
Jane-just a few days later… My how she’s changed!
…and then by the end of the movie she’s swinging on a vine, swathed in animal skins, bone necklace around her neck- at one with the jungle and animals around her!
That’s how I can best describe the next trend coming our way this Spring–
Explorer Turned Native
Like Jane, your story begins in an ensemble of lovely light khaki in a modern twist on safari…
…and ends with you in a caftan of ikat, a huge statement necklace around your neck, drinking yerba mate tea, at one with the beauty of the nature and respectful of the new culture that surrounds you.
The Expressive Explorer
World travelers like Jane will find inspiration this spring from the runways of (from top to bottom) D.V.F., Behanz Sarafpour, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Rag&Bone, Proenzs Schouler, 3.1 Phillip Lim
The smart traveler always packs stylishly light, with well chosen pieces in a refined palette that easily coordinate. Great accessories are always key…Marc Jacobs, Globetrotters, Dolce & Gabanna, Zac Posen and Christian Loubitan
Neutral texture adds subtle interest and personality to an otherwise monochromatic ensemble
The makeup is equally refined…like on the lovely Proenza Schouler model shown here, mineral makeup from Laura Mercier and Lip color from the new CK makeup line complete the look.
The Nouveau Native
Next thing you know you’re dressed as the newest member of the tribe….(top to bottom) D.V.F., Emilo Pucci, Matthew Williamson, Duro Olowu, Marni, Alexander McQueen, Just Cavalli, D&G, Oscar de la Renta, Etro
Everything about this look, from shoes to bags to jewelery makes a statement….walk on the wild side in shoes from Proenza Schouler, Dries Von Norten and Balenciaga. Bags from Bally, Fendi, Moschino, Coach and Prada appear as if you stitched them together yourself, while larger than life necklaces from Louis Vuitton and Emilo Pucci complete the attitude.
Beaded, braided and wrapped… the details look like they are styled by the local markets
There is nothing subtle here, your spirit is strong and so is the make-up. Almost cat-like at Christian Dior and surreal at Alexander McQueen, the artist at Creative Nail Design even give your manicure something tribal to aspire to.
The best part of your adventure- you return home with a new global outlook and some great exotic souvenirs that will have your friends asking each other “when did she get so worldly?”
Even if an adventure this big is pure fantasy… it’s easy to add a little intrigue and worldliness to your home- these accessories from Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Oly Studio, Target and Global Table.com are great places to start.
So which Jane do find most inspirational for Spring? Will you be the wide-eyed explorer dreaming of adventure or the uninhibited native dancing to the beat of your own drummer?
Photo credits: Runway photos from style.com and accessory photos from elle.com
The classic look has always been more my style but after seeing the Ostrich heeled sandals from Proenza Schouler and the Snakeskin trays from Global Table I may be going native.