SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2009 phone: 395-7384 | fax: 395-7519 | e-mail: eyest@bakersfield.

com
SECTION BORING

▲
D BROWN?
NOPE
EASTER BUNNY

EYE
Mix tropical AND ME
drink colors We want a picture of your tyke
with timeless (or you when you were
younger) and the Easter bunny.
brown. Rox-

STREET
Send the photo, name of the
anne in sheer person, year, a one-sentence
sherbet bliss memory, sender’s name and
Isana jacket, phone number. Jennifer Self,
$98; Travelers P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA
93302 or
contemporary jself@bakersfield.com.
Date brown
tank, $44;
Travelers
pants in Date,
$68; tiger lilly
necklace,
$42; all
Chico’s.
Brighton gold
Pacific hoops,
$30, Chris-
tine’s.

You’ll wear it well

Bakersfield spring fashions will help recessionistas look smashing
BY SHELLIE BRANCO ■ CALIFORNIAN STAFF WRITER ■ SBRANCO@BAKERSFIELD.COM
MODELS BY MCCRIGHT AGENCY ■ PHOTOS BY FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

M
ichelle Obama and her daughters
paraded through Inauguration
Day in a candy-colored mix of J.
Crew and high fashion.Thus
began the era of the recessionista.
Don’t fret at the newly minted term. As our four
PORTRAIT

▲
lovely models demonstrate, the recessionista is an
ageless, fashion-savvy woman who plays with OF A LADY
trends but shops smart by working with the classics. Gentle yellow tames
The dark jeans so popular for several seasons, shades of gray. Susan in
tops and bottoms in essential navy, white, brown Nic + Zoe Gone Plat-
and black — the recessionista pairs those closet inum collection with
staples with spring’s bright hues to cheer up a Banana Cream cardi-
glum world. gan, $99; gray tank, $69;
Like Mrs. Obama, she mixes high and low, invest- Big Blooms Flirt skirt,
ing in classic pieces from local boutiques and pick- $142, all Pappagallo.
ing up cute frills from discount retailers like Target. Brighton Satori
(The first lady’s not afraid to shop there.) More than bracelet, $68, and
ever, she livens up an outfit with accessories. The matching necklace, $75,
recessionista even swaps outfits with her girl- Christine’s. Model’s own
friends. Our ladies traded shoes at their fitting! shoes.
Bold is back, especially citrus colors. They pair
well with black and white patterns and navy,
adding versatility to the spring wardrobe. It’s also
the season of whimsical florals, unusual animal
prints (giraffe, zebra) and geometric patterns.
The Bakersfield Museum of Art’s current exhibit
of bold abstracts by Egyptian-born painter and
sculptor Ludvic provides a stunning backdrop to
our spring picks. It’s a Bakersfield recessionista’s
way of supporting her hometown makers of beauty
and style.
▲

WELL-RED WOMAN JOIN THE NAVY

▲

A lady in red never goes out of style. Dig into your wardrobe like Gail, then
Kenna in Donna Ricco V-neck dress, hit up Target for discount chic. Gail in
$130, Christine’s. Hobo International her own shorts and shoes. Deep navy
giraffe print envelope clutch, $198; Merona Collection tie jacket, $49.99,
gold Juicy Couture starter bracelet with Target.
heart charm, $42; both LoLo’s. Model’s
own shoes.
▲

ALL RIGHT WITH WHITE TO THE MAXI

Those white pants (or skirt) in the
closet take a stunning turn with a shot of
green. Susan in dragonfly viscose and
nylon twinset by Michael Simon, sweater
$118, tank $78; Pappagallo. Elliot Lauren
trousers, $136; Christine’s. Brighton
Kaelan navy patent tote, $300; Serene
Rose bangle, $68; all Christine’s. Model’s
own shoes.
▲
JUST RELAX
Sporty and swingy pieces signal end-
less summer. Susan in Eight-Sixty silk
halter maxi dress, $126, LoLo’s. Brighton
Roselie Shine large coin purse, $92;
Piano white sandal, $135; Serene Rose
rhinestone studded cuff, $68; silver
Pacific hoop earrings, $30; all Christine’s.
Kenna in Juicy Couture black
cotton/polyester sweatsuit, top $148,
pants $138, LoLo’s. Juicy Couture
Heritage tote, $250; gold Juicy Couture
starter bracelet with heart charm, $42;
Beach girl Kenna relaxes in a drapey
floral maxi dress and embellished san-
dals. Kenna in Eight-Sixty maxi dress,
$90, LoLo’s. Brighton Orlean chocolate
sandals, $140, Christine’s. Brass/copper
cuff, $20, Sugardaddy’s.
▲
BLOUSY TOP, FITTED
BOTTOM
Match a swingy patterned top to your
dark jeans, a favorite season after season.
Susan in Michael Kors silk flutter sleeve
top, $104; David Kahn Nikki jeans, $160;
Christine’s. Brighton patent navy Sonny
tote, $230; Brighton Gift of Love striped
heart pendant on silver chain, $55,
Christine’s. Model’s own shoes.
BEE
▲

both LoLo’s. Brighton Ofelia Leopard

COOL
▲

thong sandals, $120, Christine’s.

Juicy
Couture’s
daisy Day
Dreamer
with bee
detail, $228,
LoLo’s.

Please see
FASHION/D5
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2008 EYE STREET THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN D5
CONTINUED FROM D1

FRESH FLORAL
THE MODELS
Ponder the soft side of spring in clean
white with a punchy tropical print. Rox-
anne in sequined Shimmer Giovanna
jacket, $139; orange cami crew tank,
$28; Date brown Travelers pants, $68; all
Chico’s. Model’s own earrings.
▲

KENNA BROOKS
Residence: Santa Clarita (Button-
willow native)
Profession: Stay-at-home mom of
three and fitness instructor
Age: 34
Personal style: I would say beachy
▲ RED AND NAVY: A LOVE STORY California girl all the way. If I didn’t
Navy and red are classics in step with any wardrobe. Gail in navy Lilla P cotton top, $39; have my jeans, I don’t know what I
Colette Mordo vest, $120; both Pappagallo. Travelers pants, $62, Chico’s. Brighton would do.
Serendipity bangle, $45, and Lacie Daisy earrings, $32, Christine’s. Model’s own shoes.
Kenna in Donna Ricco V-neck dress, $130, Christine’s. Hobo International giraffe print
envelope clutch, $198; gold Juicy Couture starter bracelet with heart charm, $42; both
LoLo’s. Model’s own shoes.
Susan in double-breasted navy Michael Kors trench dress, $176; Brighton Midnight
Meadow floral bangle, $45, with matching earrings, $42, Christine’s. Brighton Shana hobo
bag with matching floral coin purse, $400, Christine’s. Model’s own shoes.
Roxanne in Appraisal swing jacket, $66, LoLo’s. David Kahn boot-cut Sorrento jeans,
$160; Brighton Montreux watch, $95; both Christine’s. Model’s own jewelry and shoes.

SUSAN LARA
Residence: Bakersfield
Profession: Full-time mom of two
Age: 39
Favorite item: Because I am a
mom and always on the go, I tend
to grab things that are more com-
fortable. I loved the maxi dress
because it was beautiful and very
comfortable and cool for Bakers-
field’s hot summers.

▲ DIGGING THIS TRENCH

The handy dark jean meets a navy Target trench in a seasonal geometric print. Kenna in belted Merona trench, $39.99, Target. David Kahn GAIL JOHNSON
boot-cut Sorrento jeans, $160, Christine’s. Brighton Heiress crystal necklace, $48, Christine’s. Residence: Bakersfield
Profession: Kern High School Dis-
trict project specialist
Age: “Hovering around the 50s”
Personal style: Being short (5 feet
tall), you have to be very careful in
your fashion choices. I’m a big suit
person. I wear short jackets
▲

NO SHADES OF GRAY because they’re more flattering

Turn on black and white with the and with suits you can mix and
season’s brights. Roxanne in match everything. I do like sparkly
Brushstroke Celesta trench, $148; things.
yellow Contemporary crew tank,
$38; modern black Magique
trousers, $78; double ovals
necklace, $38; Chico’s. Model’s
own earrings.
Gail in Joseph Ribkoff striped
cowl-neck top, $158, Pappagallo.
Insight NY polyester capris, $79,
Sugardaddy’s. Brighton Serendipity
bangle, $45, Christine’s. Model’s
own earrings.

ROXANNE SASIA
Residence: Tehachapi
Profession: Retired postal worker
THINK PRINTS Age: 61
AND COLOR The recessionista: I have always
Spring’s elegant sherbet flo- said I could take a woman to Nord-
rals, sequins and animal strom or I could take her to Kmart
prints. Roxanne in sequined and she would look like a million
Shimmer Giovanna jacket, dollars either way.
$139; orange cami crew tank,
$28; Date brown Travelers
pants, $68; all Chico’s. Model’s
own shoes and earrings.
Kenna in giraffe print Donna
Ricco silk sarong dress, $164;
Pappagallo. Matching
ammonite fossil pendant, $69,
and brass/copper cuff, $20;
Sugardaddy’s. Hayden-Har-
nett for Target Hobo bag,
$44.99 (also available in
▲

black). Model’s own shoes.

▲ SIMPLE TEXTURES
Versatile black and white is updated with striking
abstract floral appliques. Pieced Rose fabric bag,
$88, Chico’s. ▲ TROPIC TOTE
Brighton’s Emery embroidered
bag with delicate Moroccan lace
pattern and camellia detail, $180,
Christine’s.