Ask A Boston Expert: Fashion-Forward Thinking For Spring 2016

Kai Armstrong is the owner of Galatea, a fine jewelry and beautiful adornments boutique nestled in a historic building in Milton, a suburb just south of Boston. After working out of a home office for one year, Armstrong opened Galatea at the present, enchanting, location ten years ago. The space was formerly a Masonic Lodge, a dance studio and a karate studio until Armstrong transformed it into a haven for shoppers with elegant and eclectic taste in jewelry and special clothing pieces by the world's best designers.

Armstrong shared some tips for achieving and maintaining a fashion-forward look for Spring 2016. While her forte is everything jewelry, the wonderful clothing and accessories at Galatea add dimension and beauty to every wardrobe. Her fashion ideas are eclectic by design but are most certainly elegant additions to every woman's wardrobe. Fashion-forward thinking for spring 2016 is all about pulling a collection of fine pieces and accessories together to create a signature look.

There are a few handbag design choices popping into the spotlight for Spring 2016. A structured leather handbag, think lunchbox, with a chain or handle is a popular choice, according to Armstrong. Keep your hands free and choose the backpack. Galatea carries a line called convertible backpacks by Hobo. They go from on-the-back to in-the-hand. Galatea carries a unique textural handbag crafted from antique kilim carpets, which are transformed into a baby duffle-style by Artemis Design Co. at WWW.ArtemisDesignCo.com. A lady-like handbag makes a statement but is a demure choice for an afternoon luncheon with friends.

The slip dress is back and so are ruffles, bold florals and stripes. Off-the-shoulder styles and shimmery, mirror-like and sequined designs are popular fashion choices. Galatea has a great line of asymmetrical, slightly shoulder-exposing tops by Last Tango in black, grey and white. Pajama-style fashion is growing in popularity and headed for the Boston area in spring 2016. Galatea can help secure the bathrobe look with a 100-percent cashmere full-length duster from Oats in California. Try it and be comfy cozy as you go about your day.

Cropped, bomber-style jackets and a myriad of Western Wear is showing this spring. Galatea carries a blue jean jacket from Second Denim in Canada perfect for throwing over fancy party dresses, as well as for casual wear. Spring 2016 fashion is showing a great and eclectic blend of denim and formal wear attire.

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The Beluva shirt, a fashion creation by San Francisco designer Firuzé Hariri, is a beautiful, purposely-creased and wrinkled top. These fashionable and versatile shirts, blouses and tunics are light-weight and perfect for traveling. The Beluva shirt care is simple, just a delicate wash and hang dry. There is no dry cleaning required. The shirts come in an array of lovely colors including tea green, orchid, platinum, navy, meadow and sherbet.

Fashion-Forward thinking for Spring 2016 is all about layering jewelry on the wrists, fingers and neck.  Big, bold statement necklaces, long shoulder duster earrings and piles of vintage rings on the fingers are the important accessories for the upcoming season. Heavy chains on the neck, again layered with long pearls or beads, make a true fashion statement.  Power-provoking cuff bracelets make a statement of their own. Wear matching cuff bracelets on each wrist for the most fashion impact. Armstrong is "a believer and a self-doer of mixing the fine and the fashion in my daily choice of jewelry."

Armstrong says that she strives to have all of her pieces work together in either similar or matching types. "I love the early jewelry styles of Mad Men, especially the classic, vintage styles," she says.

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