Oversized, black, white, grey, monochromatic, gender fluid.
Those are a few adjectives that come to mind when summing up spring style, noted Diletta Rosasco of Duh in downtown Pensacola.
“The cuts are oversized everything, from denim jeans to suits for work,” she said. “The ‘outs’ are definitely formal, dressy outfits. We are all in for comfort this year.”
While easy-on-the-eye neutrals dominate, look for a few spring blooms to join the mix — very sparsely.
“The few prints that are showing this year are the floral blooms, but not too much of it, mixed with the monochromatic looks,” said Rosasco.
Accessorize with big metals from earrings to chunky cuffs.
With moderate April Panhandle temps that can swing warmer or cooler, light layers in neutral colors are a smart fashion option this month.
“The Duh suggestions for the month of April are use layers, monochromatic, more basics to mix and match, that can take you from a casual lunch with girlfriends, to a dressy dinner, to your favorite restaurant,” said Rosasco.
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Allison McCrory is almost a Pensacola native who studied journalism and has worked in writing and editing since beginning her career in 1984 with Pensacola’s afternoon newspaper, The News, before moving to the Pensacola News-Journal when morning and afternoon papers merged. The mother of two adult children, she suffers from a tennis addiction, practices yoga regularly, likes to get creative in the kitchen and has worked with children through mentoring and fostering.
Taylor Ashley
Everyone has a favorite way to indulge. For April model Taylor Ashley, the mother of two young daughters, that is stretching and strengthening through Pilates.
“I love my time at Club Pilates in Pensacola. I take two classes a week, and I look forward every week to my classes. It’s giving me so much strength and motivation. I get so much peace and joy from every class! It helps shape my confidence. I’ve never had muscle strength like I do now,” said the Orange Beach resident. “I’ll never stop doing Pilates. It’s a part of my life forever.”
Ashley grew up in tiny Fort Valley, Georgia, “where they grow the yummiest peaches,” before playing collegiate soccer at Georgia Military Collegiate. Love disrupted that path and she transferred to a college in Nashville, married her husband, Jared, and became an orthodontic assistant.
After becoming a mom, Ashley stayed home with her daughters but also pursued a new path: training in makeup artistry and deep diving into skin care knowledge. In 2020, Taylor accomplished a long-time dream and became a medical esthetician.
“Now I’m hoping in 2024 to open my own med spa in Orange Beach called The Coastal Skin Co.,” she said.
Taylor has a takeaway from these successes as well as venturing into modeling at age 30.
“I’m so thankful for having the confidence to take that initial step. I always tell everyone and my girls to never ever doubt yourself. When you put yourself out there you never know what beautiful opportunities await you.”
