Dress Up Your Spring Closet

From left to right straight from the spring 2015 runway: Altuzarra’s fetching gingham dress, Cedric Charlier’s salmon sheath and Michael Kors’ plaid shirt dress.

From left to right: Feel the breeze in a French Knots Sleeveless Dress ($425, stevenalan.com). Tory Burch’s Leaf Print Shirt Dress ($395, bloomingdales.com) makes a good wear-to-work option. Show off your playful side in Suno’s maxi dress, crafted of a mix of cotton printed patterns.

Left: Graceful movement comes naturally, courtesy of Caroline Issa’s airy print chiffon dress ($895). Right: Tory Burch’s abstract print silk crêpe de Chine midi dress ($450) features fluid pleats and a retro dropped waist. Both, nordstrom.com.

AFTER OUR WINTER OF DISCONTENT, who doesn’t love the idea of a dress that just lightly skims the body, a one-stop solution to the “what am I going to wear today?”  clothing dilemma.  Whether you prefer an above-the-knee, midi or boho-long version, they’re cropping up in stores all over town.

We chatted (over e-mail) with Gregg Andrews, Nordstrom’s Fashion Creative Director, about what to look for.

MLB: Spring dresses seem so appealing now. What are some flattering styles you’re seeing? 

GA: This season there are two important dress silhouettes that are very figure- flattering. The retro-inspired fit and flare shape creates an hourglass figure that gives the illusion of a smaller waist and disguises wider hips and thighs. It’s a classic feminine silhouette that is appropriate for a vast number of women. Also, the simple shift has made a return for spring. The straight shape that skims over the body is easy to wear and is a comfortable, versatile look for any woman.

MLB: Are there any specific looks in dresses that are strong this season? Colors? Patterns?

GA: Florals are blooming on dresses of every shape. From exotic tropical florals in bright colors, to romantic retro-inspired roses in soft muted shades, to bold impressionistic blossoms in vibrant hues. Graphic geometric patterns are giving an unexpected edge to the dress. Colored lace and eyelet have a vintage vibe when they are cut into a simple shift dress.

 MLB: Are shirtwaists back in vogue?

GA: Shirt dressing has made a big comeback for spring, from basic menswear-inspired shirts, to modern interpretations with new shapes and details. The shirt dress gives women a versatile, easy-to-wear addition to their wardrobe. It can have a borrowed-from-the-boys look that resembles a classic men’s shirt in a traditional crisp fabric. Pointed collars, button down fronts, barrel cuffs and rounded shirt tail hems are essential details that define this trend in dresses. For a more feminine look, there are options in softer fabrics with fewer masculine details that offer a stylish alternative.

So, it’s time to replace your thermal layers, turtlenecks, tights and sweaters. See our photo gallery above with spring 2015 runway looks from designers Altuzarra, Marc Jacobs and Cedric Charlier as well as runway-to-reality options from Suno, Steven Alan, Theory and Tory Burch.

— Janet Kelly