Spring 2011: Block Out.

Spring is upon us. The trees are starting to bud and the grass is greening up; it’s all right around the corner.

While we wait for the blooms and warm breezes, I thought a series on Spring 2011 trends would help tide us over. What’s coming in the next few weeks:

• Color Blocking
• 70s Glam
• Biker/Moto
• Menswear

Let’s kick things off with color blocking, which is wearing blocks of (typically contrasting) color. This can apply to a blouse, dress, etc. or to an accessory like a shoe or scarf.

Color blocking for 2011 can be bold, even loud (think purple and red blocked together, or anything seen here), but my preference (at least in the early spring when colors are still a bit muted) is a more neutral palette.

1. Delia’s Colorblocked Mixed-Media Dress ($40)
2. Christian Louboutin Ankle-Wrap Platform Sandal ($995)
3. Sara Lanzi Colorblock Shawl ($240)
4. Jessica Simpson Vadio Pumps ($98)
5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Colorblock Heart Stud Earrings ($42)
6. Gap Colorblock Tee ($13)
7. Tahari ASL Sand Cotton-Blend Colorblock Sheath Dress ($115)

The easiest way to color block an entire outfit is to pick a dress that does it for you, like these options from Delia’s (1) and Tahari (7). The tank top on the Delia’s dress will be great for late spring; throw a cardigan over it until the weather warms up. The Tahari dress is so chic— the beige, black and white palette is classic, but this particular color block pattern is a little more intricate.

Let a simple tee do a little color blocking legwork— Gap comes through with this pocket tee (6). I’d buy mine a little bigger than shown on the model to wear the longer hem over leggings or skinnies, and allow it to drape off one shoulder.

Don’t forget accessories can be color blocking workhorses, too. A simple scarf (3) gets a color block update in cream and navy, and tiny black and white heart studs (5) are a perfect way to wade into the trend. A platform pump in navy and camel with a pop of classic red sole (2) would be killer with a sundress, and I’d pair the chunky cork-bottomed black and tan pumps (4) from Jessica Simpson with just about anything (including that Tahari dress, for starters).

What do you think? Is color blocking for you? Are you going to rock a red-and-purple dress, or will you stick with more neutral color block choices?