Suit up for spring

Ebony, April, 2005 by Eunice W. Johnson

WITH sunny weather coming soon, it is clearly time to think spring and spruce up your warm weather wardrobe with colorful, stylish suits. Designers in New York and Europe all showed beautiful suits that flatter the figure and uplift the spirit and ambiance of the occasion. For those fashionable women who must have a new suit for the Easter holiday season, there are many options. Several designers showed white or colorful knee-length dresses topped with matching coats. There are also elegant cocktail suits that also take you to lunch or a dinner party. Popular spring colors include vibrant blues and green, as well as peach and tangerine tones. Qf course, black and white--singularly or in combination--always make a bold statement. So before the warm weather catches up with fashion styles, vamp up your wardrobe so that you will be ready to suit up for spring.

Far Left: Long-sleeved white textured coat has Nehru collar, decorative silver buttons and layered petal hemline. By Cat Swanson.

Left Tracy Reese peach-colored knit cocktail suit with brown sequins has jacket with scooped neckline and elbow-length sleeves. Accessorized with multistrand beaded necklace and brown striped maryjane heels.

Left: Classy periwinkle blue evening cardigan set of silk cashmere with beaded, sequined English rose medallion is trimmed in white mink, worn over multilayered sheer blue pants. By Zang Toi.

Right: Elegant suit features black wrap jacket accented with pattern of white cut-out squares and long white sash, worn over multilayered silky sheer pants. By Zang Toi.

Below: Lime green fitted two-button coat with notched lapels and white accents on back is worn over simple green dress. Accessorized with white sandals. By David Rodriquez.

Above: Tangerine-colored, belted empire coat with oversized lapels and collar is worn over matching dress. By David Rodriquez.

Above, Center: Crisp white suit of textured fabric with one-button jacket is worn over matching knee-length skirt and white shirt. By Ellen Tracy.

Above, Right: Variation on black suit from Issey Miyake features unusual collar and wide lapels on long jacket, worn over bra halter top made of red rosettes and short skirt with tulle trim. Accessorized with patterned hosiery.

Right: Tuleh creates snazzy ensemble by topping beige ribbed long-sleeved T-shirt with beautiful iridescent, sequined, form-fitting, shirred peach tunic top, both worn over peach-colored culotte with zippers on each side.

Far Left: Donna Karan designs stylish heather gray knit skirt suit with tonal piping and panels. Jacket has notched lapels and double-welted pockets; knee-length skirt has vertical insets. Accessorized with bold silver bracelet and electric blue handbag and shoes.

Above, Center: Black pantsuit has wrap jacket with decolletage shawl collar and tassels accenting sleeves and sash tied at waist, worn over slim black pant. Accessorized with chandelier necklace. By Zang Toi.

Above, Right: Double-breasted white silk tuxedo has jacket with notched shawl collar and large flap-pockets, worn over scalloped chantilly lace blouse. By Zang Toi.

Left: Head-turning black and gold pant ensemble features patchwork kimono jacket worn over revealing bustier top and satin cigarette pants with front ankle slits. By Chado Ralph Rucci.

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