A: Athletic Elements
topshop.com
Be a good sport this spring by letting athletic accents make the cut into your wardrobe. We’re not talking high-performance gym-wear here; it’s about sporty pieces that are stylish enough to pair with skirts and dresses. And while the high-top sneaker trend is still going strong, these airy mesh sandals score extra points for style.
TO BUY: Topshop ‘House’ mesh sandals, $70 at topshop.com
B: Bold Blooms
lysse.com
Spring’s floral trend is almost impossible to get wrong, whether you choose a rose-adorned dress or garden-inspired leggings like these, which offer four-way stretch fabric and a silhouette-smoothing tummy-control panel.
TO BUY: Lyssé floral leggings, $68 at lysse.com
C: Colorful Lace
topshop.com
Lace is brightening up spring with a new crop of fresh colors, from sweet pastels to neon brights. We love how the fabric's feminine texture balances this cropped, boxy top's electric punch of color. It’s the perfect layering piece to add a little excitement to a neutral jacket or cardigan.
TO BUY: Topshop lace crop top, $40 at topshop.com
D: Dainty Watches
kay.com
Time is precious—and so are the season’s dainty take on watches. Designed like bangle bracelets, with delicate details and sweet little faces, they double as jewelry. This pretty timepiece is water-resistant, powered by light rather than a battery, and features Swarovski crystal trim that catches the sun.
TO BUY: Citizen stainless steel watch with Swarovski Elements bezel, $200 at kay.com
E: Ear Cuffs
asos.com
Designed to wear on your upper ear in a discreet nod to ‘90s style, an understated ear cuff, paired with red lipstick and a classy, tailored outfit, is unexpected and totally modern.
TO BUY: ASOS ear cuffs, $10.17 for set of three at asos.com
F: Fringe Benefits
stance.com
Try the fringe trend without veering into flapper territory with these adorable socks that pair equally well with flats or pumps.
TO BUY: Stance ‘Lola’ sock with fringe trim, $20 at stance.com
G: Graphic Stripes
katespade.com
Bold stripes are making their mark on everything from dresses and jeans to swimsuits. But there’s no need to worry about whether the pattern is flattering when you reach for this cute ring and necklace, a duo that makes basics look a thousand times more stylish.
TO BUY: Kate Spade striped ring, $78, and necklace, $128, at katespade.com
H: Hair Jewelry
etsy.com
From floral barrettes to bow headbands, spring’s array of head-turning hair ornaments adds polish to ponytails and loose chignons—but it’s this pearl-adorned elastic that we’ll be choosing to finish off our top-knot.
TO BUY: Mapleton Drive pearl hair band, $19.50 at etsy.com
I: Intricate White
hm.com
Clean white is always a crisp summer pick but this season it's turning up in two completely different looks: Clean, minimalist styles and pieces with intricate feminine detailing. We’re opting to go romantic with pieces like this tunic top that have whimsical appeal.
TO BUY: H&M white tunic top, $39.95; for stores, visit hm.com
J: Jumper Joy
agjeans.com
Who doesn’t love the ease of one-piece dressing? And we are quite literally jumping for joy to see so many amazing riffs on jumpsuits and rompers for spring. This sun-faded chambray version with an easy elastic waistband is a casual-cool weekend workhorse.
TO BUY: AG Adriano Goldschmied chambray ‘All-In-One’ romper, $198 at agjeans.com
K: Knockout Rings
liveboera.com
We spend so much time frantically texting and typing that it makes sense to decorate our digits. And this season we’ll be mix-and-matching bold statement rings to make an individual statement.
TO BUY: Boera ‘Shield’ knuckle ring, $85 at liveboera.com
L: Lightweight Leather
topshop.com
Warm-weather leather? Why not? New lightweight skins and leather-look fabrics work all summer long, particularly in abbreviated cuts that keep you feeling cool. Tailored cuffs and side zipper detailing make these shorts chic enough to wear with heels in the evening.
TO BUY: Topshop leather-look shorts, $60 at topshop.com
M: Metallic Shine
topshop.com/bcbgeneration.com
During warm summer months when the sun shines its brightest we'll be playing up the light—day and night. The latest, shimmery styles are casually elegant. Pair this silver boyfriend sweatshirt with faded denim and wear a metallic hair wrap with absolutely everything—even your swimsuit.
TO BUY: Tee And Cake metallic sweatshirt, $70 at topshop.com; BCBGeneration metallic head wrap, $18 at bcbgeneration.com
N: New Denim
aritzia.com
A pivotal piece in any wardrobe, the jean jacket is getting a spring update as a tailored blazer with an easy, open front in drapey, lightweight denim. Layer it on to tame neon colors, bold prints and feminine dresses.
TO BUY: Talula denim Kent blazer, $95 at aritzia.com
O: Oriental Influence
anthropologie.com
From obi belts and kimono styles to mandarin collars and chinoiserie prints, Eastern inspiration is in the air. This swimsuit’s Asian-inspired pattern and geisha-style tailoring make a serious fashion splash. Slip on a navy skirt and it doubles as a bustier top.
TO BUY: Nanette Lepore ‘Floral Seductress’ swimsuit, $144 at anthropologie.com
P: Pencil Skirts
bcbg.com
Buy it now, wear it forever. Always a sharp way to punctuate an outfit, the pencil skirt is back. Of course, it never really went away, but it has evolved. In vibrant colors and prints, the sexy silhouette offsets the season’s bomber jackets and volumized tops.
TO BUY: BCBG ‘Alexa’ pencil skirt, $148 at bcbg.com
Q: Quite a Contrast
anthropologie.com
Stripes and lace merge in this adorable top that’s classic with a feminine twist. Slip it under a jacket or try it layered over a black tee.
TO BUY: Lili’s Closet ‘Skipper’ tank with lace collar, $68 anthropologie.com
R: Rash Guards
southmoonunder.com
Channel Kate Bosworth’s cool surfer-girl style in Blue Crush. Rash guards are making waves on and off the beach, allowing you to stay stylishly protected from the sun (while secretly keeping a wobbly belly under wraps). In airy nylon with a standout graphic print, this one is specially designed by Diane Von Furstenberg for Roxy.
TO BUY: DVF Loves Roxy rash guard, $89.50 at southmoonunder.com
S: Sorbet Shades
hsn.com
From spearmint and violet to pink and baby blue, pretty pastels are a soft alternative to spring’s brights. A rich texture mix takes this dreamy sorbet sandal from sweet to sophisticated.
TO BUY: June Ambrose for Theme ‘Faye’ pump, $109.90 at hsn.com
T: Tropical Prints
juicycouture.com
Nothing says “relax and enjoy” like a Hawaiian print, and these tropical-inspired shorts are what to wear as you’re hanging your “gone fishing” sign. In cool cotton with a vibrant splash of color, they’re the focus of your capsule beach wardrobe; just add a swimsuit, sandals and a couple tees.
TO BUY: Juicy Couture tropical-print shorts, $128, from April 10th at juicycouture.com
U: Up the Volume
lulus.com
Spring’s easy, oversize silhouettes up the comfort factor, which is ideal for days behind a desk. The trick is picking a piece that also has tailored structure, so it doesn’t look sloppy. The pretty dolman sleeves on this soft peach jacket are reined in with belted tabs, for a fluid look that’s still polished.
TO BUY: Costa Blanca ‘Sloan’ peach jacket, $89 at lulus.com
V: Vivid Fuchsia
lipault-us.com
High-voltage jolts of hot pink pack a one-two punch when paired with neutrals. And since boxy totes happen to be one of our favorite silhouettes, this bright bag is a win-win for spring.
TO BUY: Lipault Weekend Satchel (18” x 12” x 9”), $99 at lipault-us.com
W: Water Colors
shabbyapple.com
Dive into ocean tones, from turquoise to cobalt, by taking a dip in a fresh blue swimsuit. With an ultra-flattering wrap style that minimizes the waist and a pretty ruffled trim, this one-piece style suits our fancy!
TO BUY: Shabby Apple ruffle-trim wrap swimsuit, $110 at shabbyapple.com
X: Xtra-Mini Bags
bcbg.com
While the value of gold is rising, the season’s evening bags are downsizing to miniature proportions. All the better to travel light for a carefree summer. Gold pyramid studs give this one a rocker vibe.
TO BUY: BCBG ‘Lulu’ miniature clutch, $118 at bcbg.com
Y: Yay for Flats!
koolaburra.com
Our tired feet are loving that so many of summer’s greatest sandals are flat. If we had to pick just one pair, it would be gladiator sandals in metallic python. Once worn by the Greeks and Romans, the gladiator trend has evolved into a classic that you can wear for seasons to come.
TO BUY: Koolaburra ‘Azore’ gladiator $139 at koolaburra.com
Z: Zany Shades
quayeyeware.com
Make a spectacle of yourself this summer in standout sunglasses. The latest designer styles come in oversized, geometric shapes with eye-popping graphics and decoration. Take these graphic striped sunnies, for example. They offer the runway look for a steal.
TO BUY: Quay Australia striped acetate sunglasses, $39.95 at quayeyeware.com
A version of this story originally appeared on iVillage.