Lifestyle-size totes, candy-colored fashion, and symmetry-defying necklines May-and-June ready
looks we are crushing on right now

by Archana Aithal Rose

size matters

Let’s face it; the micro and mini bags from seasons past are cute, but on most days, don’t you need more than just a credit card and lipstick? If you’re someone who likes to carry a little village in your bag, as most women do, the hot oversized tote trend will make happy waves. Whether carrying a laptop and organizer or a change of clothes for an impromptu stay-over, these take care of all transportation needs.

Chanel Large Shopping Bag
This oversized design, constructed in mixed fibers, viscose, and calfskin—and embellished with silver tone hardware and Chanel’s branding emblazoned across the front and back—says go grande or go home. $4,300, chanel.com

Michael Kors Dandridge Printed Calf
Leather Christina Zimpel Tote Featuring bold artwork by Brooklyn based artist Christina Zimpel, this suede lined calf leather bag with gold tone hardware is every globetrotter’s dream. $1,290, michaelkors.com

cheerleader
April and May call for the introduction of fresh hues in a wardrobe. Designer Marc Jacobs, unlike a number of his contemporaries, has never been averse to bright color pivots, and opened his spring collection with froth and frolic. Paying homage to the Yves Saint Laurent collections from the 1980s, Karl Lagerfeld’s early Chanel days, and a bit of his own artistic joie de vivre, Jacobs’s collection was laced with pieces in extremity—exaggerated bows, ruffled Peirrot collars, sheer lace blouses, sequined dress pants, and accessories bathed in a pastel, cheery color palette that’s bound to put a spring in your step. marcjacobs.com

Strapless Ruffled Rosette Silk Cocktail Dress
Resembling a delicious peach soufflé, this strapless dress, in silk gazar with 3D ru ed rosettes, is just ripe for bloom season. $2,400

Snapshop Ceramic Crossbody Bag
In a blaze of tempting confectionery colors, the crossbody bag, in split cow leather with a polyurethane coating, comes with an adjustable shoulder strap, dual zip-top compartments, and ceramic double-J hardware. $475

Shiny Sequin Dressy Trousers
These high-rise, wide-waistband, wide-fit, silk-lined trousers, doused in shiny sequins, will remind you of the glorious (and/or ignominious) days of disco. $695

OFF BALANCE
Whether the desire is for a little peeka-boo situation, a slouchy shoulder, or a killer combo of both, asymmetrical necklines exude subtle sexiness, leaving just enough to the viewer’s imagination. This season, these styles are all about the details, in contrasting colors, floor-grazing dresses, and sporty jumpsuits. Asymmetry adds the visual impact that’ll have everyone reading between the lines.

Melted Floral Sloane Sleeveless Gown
Let those sexy collarbones do all talking in a sleeveless, part floral, part-solid gown—punctuated by a crossover neckline cascading down to a draping overlay that runs across the body. Just fabulous! $2,195, cushnie.com

Roland Mouret Leighton Top
The high contrast of black and white is a no-brainer approach to this trend. Create some drama with a peplum-hem top featuring an asymmetrical square neckline and little teardrop-shaped cutouts filled in with chevron lace. $1,165, rolandmouret.com

Max Mara Cotton Poplin Dress
With details to die for, like a flounce held in place by a detachable leather embellishment on the left shoulder or a side slit on the midi skirt with a matching bustier belt—this one-shoulder poplin number is a modern take on the classic LBD. $1,050, maxmara.com