CHLOE SPRING 2011

There is always something so elegant about ballet inspired clothing. We Thread Ethic girls lived for some time with the School of American Ballet dancers in New York City, due to housing shortages at The Juilliard School where we were enrolled. Yes, it was a little strange to be pianists surrounded by ballet dancers, but also a little fun to get an inside peek into the lives of dancers. Even when they were rushing around, sweating and exhausted they always looked so polished and chic with their hair in tight little chignons, wearing leotards, tissue thin wrap skirts, tights and toe shoes in shades of blush and pale nudes. The Chloe Spring 2011 collection captured this elegance beautifully. There's just something so timeless about full, pretty skirts, ballet slippers and hair pulled back smoothly and elegantly.

THE BOW TIE

Most people wear color on top - a bright sweater or blouse - which is totally great, but a colorful skirt or pant is a little more unexpected and maybe more fun. We are loving bright pants and skirts lately, including this bright yellow skirt that surprisingly seems to go with everything. We are also loving little bow ties, loose or tied, on women. Somehow they feel very cool and urban right now. View a little slideshow of chic women wearing bow ties here.

ALL WHITE SPRING 2011

The most current and fresh way to wear white is to wear it head-to-toe. This includes dresses, suits, skirts, blouses, you name it. Think of all the white pieces you have in your closet...that white skirt? and white blouse? just put them together. White jeans are super hot right now and so easy to pair with everything white. Wearing all white is so crisp and chic in warm weather. Just don't forget to keep a Tide Pen handy.

RODARTE FW 2011

Looking a little bit ahead here, but the Fall/Winter 2011 Rodarte collection was so pretty, so cool and totally inventive that I had to share some highlights with you. I mean, who knew wheat fields on a flowing sky blue gown could be so gorgeous? Well, the Mulleavy sisters, the designers behind Rodarte, somehow knew (pronounced ro-dar-tay). I love how creative and skilled they were at bringing something new to a full length gown. I've been pretty bored seeing strapless gown after strapless gown on red carpets, at every black tie event, and on every bride. Thank you Rodarte for something fresh and new (which also happens to be modest...I'm just saying.)

BRIGHT CORAL

Finally, there came a day that was warm enough for a Modest Girl to step out in bare legs. Well, bare legs and little ankle socks - like they did on the Rodarte Spring runway. I was excited to get in on this trend because I think there's something so cute about it.  And bright colors seem to need some bright sunshine to go with them. I don't know why but I never seem to want to run out in sopping, cold, spring rain in fun bright clothing. Although I suppose a person could... I just never feel like it. So, the minute there was sunshine I borrowed my sister's fabulous coral vintage blouse, put on a pleated H&M skirt, grabbed my new Hue ankle socks and red lipstick, and enjoyed a lovely spring day.

FEMININE MENSWEAR

A slouchy, cuffed trouser feels so perfect right now - it's relaxed and casual, yet still a little crisp. This pair is from H&M. Cute loafers give the trousers a slight menswear vibe, and a striped cardi and simple T-shirt are super easy - perfect for running around town in comfort and style. Long silk scarves were seen on quite a few runways, including DKNY, and 3.1 Phillip Lim. It seems tying the scarf high on the neck and letting the long ends hang down the back, front, or half front and back were popular, though we just improvised and tied it until we liked it.

DENIM ON DENIM

This look incorporates a few trends happening right now. First of all, denim is all the rage. Designers like Stella McCartney and Derek Lam featured many head-to-toe denim looks in their Spring 2011 shows. We've paired a denim shirt with denim pants, but kept it a bit more wearable by using blue and white denim together. The white jeans also bring up another perennial spring trend - white. And little tough jackets were all over the Spring Burberry Prorsum runway so don't shy away from pairing yours with your favorite spring pieces.

RUFFLED MILITARY

We loved the gray jeans at the Spring 2011 Chanel show and the sharp jackets at the Spring 2011 Moschino show and decided to take this inspiration and interpret it to a 'real life' look. The result is slick, urban, easily wearable and perfect for temperatures that hover in between cold and warm.

MIDI WITH STRIPES

Stripes and a midi-length skirt are the spring trends we are working here. You will find stripes plentiful this spring and they go with pretty much anything you can think of. I am loving midi-length skirts and they have a very pretty pleated midi-length skirt at Zara right now that I think will be so perfect for spring.

MAXI SKIRT

How to segue into spring when the weather is not quite cold, but not quite warm yet? Not to mention those rogue spring days that jump back to chilly temperatures. We think a maxi skirt and a little layering work well for early spring dressing. When the day starts with a little chill in the air throw on a scarf and furry sweatshirt, but then easily remove those layers as the afternoon warms up. All types of maxi skirts are uber cool right now and through the summer. Lulu's and Urban Outfitters have some nice choices.

MONIQUE LHUILLIER SPRING 2011

Here are two very classic, beautiful looks from the Monique Lhuillier Spring 2011 collection. The first look shows how to wear wide-leg trousers simply and elegantly - one can work a trend while still retaining timeless appeal. And I am loving the feather capelet with the cocktail frock in the second look. I found a feather capelet once, in just this mauve color, at Topshop and should have bought it on the spot, but alas I waited too long and it was too late. Now I see how heavenly it would have looked with a pretty pale dress...

PALAZZO PANT

With wide leg pants making a big comeback this spring, the palazzo pant is a lovely, relaxed way to get in on this fashion trend. You can wear a palazzo pant now, with a sweater and scarf or, as it gets warmer, with your favorite blouses. I can't think of anything more comfortable. And the 'BY MARC JACOBS' watch... very cool.