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That Easter comes early this year is an understatement. In fact, the last time Easter came so soon on the heels of winter was 1913. And since our beloved groundhog was chased back into the ground at the sight of his own shadow last month, it appears he will just be emerging as the Easter bunny arrives.
According to weather.com, the average temperature range for Grand Island in March is anywhere from 27 to 50 degrees. The Easter bunny is blessed with a lovely fur coat, but we are left with the perplexing question of what to wear to usher in spring despite possible snow.
While it's true that society as a whole has become less formal than in days gone by, Andrea Messina, lifestyle director for Parenting Magazine, believes there is still a place for Easter dresses and patent leather shoes. In an interview on the "Today Show" she said that dressing up children for Easter is a favorite tradition particularly because, "There are not as many dress-up occasions these days."
The trick is in finding the dressy clothes when you want them. Many discount and children's clothing stores have begun to cater to more casual lifestyles making it difficult to find a single dress or tie.
Department stores such as Younkers, Dillards, Sears and J.C. Penney are good sources for traditional Easter wear. New to Grand Island, Cato offers dressy and casual clothes for women and girls sizes 7 to 16.
Connie Johnson, Cato store manager, describes the store's inventory as trendy yet classic and very affordable. And she says she loves being able to find just the right item or entire outfit for her customers. When we look good we feel better, she said.
"We have an impact on people that we don't even know sometimes," Johnson said. "Maybe we've made their day a little bit brighter, a little bit better. That's what this time of year is all about."
For help in choosing Easter outfits that make kids and moms look and feel far lovelier than the colorful tulips just making an appearance, here are a few rules of thumb:
Pick something comfortable. Remember it could be a long day full of activity. Children's clothing, especially, should be unrestrictive and roomy. Lace leggings beneath dresses and skirts ensure your little angel can run and play with the big boys without the fear of baring her bloomers.
Pick clothing that's machine washable. Silk and taffeta are great in pictures but don't mix well with chocolate Easter bunnies. Think polyester and cotton blends for crisp outfits that offer low maintenance for kids and moms alike.
With a seven-year-old granddaughter she loves to dress, Johnson says she is glad everything on the racks at Cato is machine washable, classic in style and relatively inexpensive. Also consider the lay and sheen of fabric can both accentuate the positive and highlight the negative in all body types.
According to Angela Epps in her article "Easter Fashion Tips for Women," it's a good idea to keep in mind this simple old fashion stand-bye: "A fluid fabric cut will flatter any figure."
Pick a springy color from a big box of crayons.
"The spring season is about pinks, blues, purples and yellows," Epps said, "but they do not have to be pastel." Don't be washed out if buttery yellow pales you. Think marigolds and daffodils and brighten your color pallet. Knowing what color best compliments hair and skin tones is essential to looking good. And while considering all the colors Crayola has to offer, think outside the box as well. Pink is not just for girls anymore.
Pick something warm. It's OK to buy that sweet little sundress, but wait until July to bare those shoulders. For now couple it with a blouse beneath or a pretty little cardigan, shrug or tweed coat. Dressing children in layers will make sure they're comfortable standing still or running to find Easter eggs. Boys will look smart in a roomy blazer and khakis or a comfortable sweater vest over a cotton shirt. When the games get going they can shed a layer or two and still make grandma proud.
Pick shoes to wear all day long. If you're planning to help outside with the Easter egg hunt, avoid stilettos unless you also plan to aerate the lawn. Remember, the age-old rule is to only wear white (non-athletic) shoes between Memorial Day and Labor Day, unless your profession requires it. Off-whites such as "bone," "cream" or "winter white" are good alternatives and can be worn year round.
Where children are concerned the rules are more relaxed. White patent leather is appropriate, as are sandals. But, to prevent those piggies from developing frostbite, consider closed-toed shoes and socks or tights either way.
Pick accessories that make you smile. Nothing screams Easter like handbags, gloves and hats for little girls. And because lots of warmth escapes through our heads, hats might be the best solution this year.
"Easter is the perfect time to wear a hat even if you usually don't," Epps said, "though I will warn those of you who are first time wearers: Hats are another accessory that can be very addictive. Have a plan on how to hang a hat shelf above your shoe rack in the very near future."
Pick jewelry that compliments your look. According to Epps, the key is simplicity. A small choker looks great with a variety of tops while a pendant-style necklace looks best if the charm sits just above the neckline. If you wear your hair up, try dangly earrings. A small pair of sparkly earrings looks great with hair that is down.
"Find something that lifts and frames your face," offered Cato manager Connie Johnson.
While Easter may find you hiding eggs in snow drifts, what you wear can express spring nonetheless. The perfect colors, accessories and a little bling will go a long way in inspiring you to tiptoe through the tulips though you may have to shovel a path first.
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