Spring is when it’s still a little too chilly to go without a warm layer, but we no longer need our winter coats. I call this Sweater Season! Layered over a T-shirt or a blouse, cardigans or pullovers keep us comfortable yet are easy to slip off and tie around the waist or around the neck if it gets warm during the day. In fact, sweaters at the neck or the waist are among the trending looks for spring 2026. 

    Other trends include knee-length skirts, bold colors and various shades of green from lime to teal, lots of texture details like fringe and feathers, boxy and oversized silhouettes. Oversized sunglasses and clutch handbags are big in accessories.  

    Big news! The Contra Costa Vintage Market is coming to downtown Lafayette. Starting April 12 join fellow vintage fashion enthusiasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month to shop for clothing, accessories, and other treasures. Look for two locations – the parking lot next to Zahra Boutique Salon at 3578 Mt. Diablo Blvd. and right across the street at the BMO Bank parking lot. The person behind this great idea is proprietor of Vintage Vida, Carmen Guerrero. “It will have a variety of vintage offerings,” says Guerrero, “from designer vintage clothing to vintage streetwear to unique vintage jewelry to eclectic vintage home decor to vintage vinyl records.” With 25 booths and live music to enjoy, Guerrero encourages everyone to come out and partake in local shopping as well as all the fabulous restaurants and cafes in the downtown Lafayette  area. 

    The timing for this market is spot on as vintage continues to dominate fashion trends this spring. Graphic tees are big, along with boho blouses, flared jeans, and anything with lace. Mix-era styling is the thing, so go ahead and pair that ’50s circle skirt with the ’90s graphic tee. You can’t go wrong. 

    April Ward, Lafayette resident and California State Director of Make it With Wool, reminds us that now is a good time to start a sewing or knitting project for the upcoming Make it With Wool Competition. “The 2026 California State Contest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Lambtown Festival,” says Ward. That’s a mere six months away “so it's not too soon to start thinking about your next outfit.”  Founded in 1947, MIWW is a state and national fashion design and sewing/knitting competition sponsored by the American Sheep Industry. MIWW is open to pre-teen through adults and all fabric and yarn must be at least 60% wool. Contact Ward for more information:  april.ann.ward@gmail.com.

    Do you have a young fashionista in your life? “A History of Fashion for Children” by Celia Joicey and Dennis Nothdruft (Thames & Hudson) is delightful book for readers 7 and up interested in fashion. With engaging text and charming illustrations by Rose Blake, this picture book shows the evolution of common pieces of clothing – shirts, dresses, coats, headwear, footwear – and explains the impact of global events such as the Industrial Revolution and world wars. But this is more than just fashion. Like any good book, non-fiction or fiction, “A History of Fashion for Children” will prompt young readers to think, as well as start making connections and discover the importance of history and how it impacts everything, including what they wear.

    Until next time - go forth in style.         
    
    Moya Stone is a fashion writer and blogger at www.overdressedforlife.com.