With spring just around the corner, I’m really feeling pale denim and Liberty prints right now. I like to toughen up the look a little with a statement shoe (think new neutral booties or gladiators) and oversized aviators. Add a worn, utility anorak jacket for warmth and attitude. This twist on Americana feels really fresh to me after season upon season of dark, skinny denim and 80s-inspired looks. I think my Early Spring and Bohemian collections work really well with this look by adding a vintage feel without being costumey.

See this trend in action at Piperlime and pick up items from my spring collections at Etsy.

I wanna know what makes you scream
Be your 20 million dollar fantasy
Treat you real good
Expensive jeans
Hollywood freaks on the Hollywood scene
– Beck, “Hollywood Freaks”

Whether you choose to rock jeans that cost $185 or $19, it’s helpful to know how to get them to look as good as possible. Denim fit is an art and a science. Once you’ve found that perfect pair, make sure they’re breaking at the right place. Try them on with different shoes. I always have at least one pair of jeans for flats and one for heeled shoes (I favor boots in winter and wedges in summer).

If you find that you need to take off a few inches, fear not. For the best finish, consider doing a hem that retains the original hem of the jeans. That way, you won’t drive yourself crazy trying to find matching thread to use for top stitching. Plus, you retain that nice, worn-in hem that’s been distressed to perfection.

How? I followed this simple tutorial from Dacia Ray. She said the tutorial is a rework of one that was previously featured on the Z. Cavaricci site. Whatever the origin, it’s a gem. This is the same alteration that is offered for premium denim at Nordstrom. I have perfectly altered jeans with the original hem that break perfectly and hang a scant half-inch above the floor, just the way I like ‘em.

I’ve been spending a LOT of time looking at ready-to-wear Spring 2010 collections, watching Launch My Line & Project Runway, and perusing fashion zines from around the world. Combine that with the awesomely inspiring crowd at Fashion Feud last night, and I just had to put together some style pages for how to rock my accessories this spring.

The top look is all about taking spring classics like neutrals (think khaki, cargo, cotton, denim) in the inevitable military, safari and nautical looks and mixing them up hardcore with fresh, modern brights. VERY brights. Right now, accessories are all about the bigger, the bolder, the BETTER. Photo courtesy of Diane Von Furstenberg’s collection.

The second look is more edgy, eclectic and young. The idea here is more is MORE. Load on Madonna bows, Cosby sweaters and funky prints ranging from tribal to geometric. It’s not just okay to mix patterns, it’s a very fresh way to repurpose things that you already own. Retro, kitsch, modern, fun; whatever your style, turn up the volume this spring. Photo courtesy of Marc by Marc Jacobs collection.

I threw in a couple of my accessories that immediately spoke to me, but really anything goes. What are YOU feeling for Spring 2010?