Zara

Consider Zara's TRF April edition a look at Spring's pastels, florals, and '90s-inspired denim through a cooler lens. Essentially, if you've deemed any of the season's big trends too sweet or maybe just not wearable, this lineup could quickly change your mind with its easy, albeit eye-catching, ways to outfit everything from softer color palettes to printed sandals. White boyfriend jeans are topped with a sporty zip-up that's washed in a global, graphic pattern; flower-print separates feel more sporty than girlie, thanks to a sweatshirt-style top; and acid-washed denim gets a moto-inspired makeover. In short, Zara does what it does best (yet again), turning out the most wearable versions of even the trickiest trends and styling it all just right. Needless to say, the lineup invokes an immediate "we have to have it" reaction to just about every piece. Click through and you'll see just what we mean.

Zara's April lookbook is rife with the kind of pieces that perfectly capture Spring's breezier sensibility. That's not to say there aren't more polished styling counterparts — because there are — but if we're to forecast the month ahead according to Zara, it's looking like a laid-back affair. The floral prints, which are reminiscent of scenes stolen right off of a vintage china plate, take shape on cap-sleeved shifts, shorts sets, relaxed blouses, and pencil skirts. The quintessential blazer comes oversized with bold buttons, in a soft pastel blue tuxedo iteration, and cut in a longer double-breasted silhouette. And where there's silky texture, there's a flowing red jumpsuit, a sportier colorblocked maxi dress, and palazzo trousers to indulge in. Zara's latest is certainly something to be inspired by, and lucky for us, it's also within our wallet's reach. See the complete lookbook here.

Along with longer days in the sun, iced coffees, and fresh flowers, our favorite part of Spring is a closet refresh. Shelving our Winter wares means there's more closet space for this season's essentials — and with our 2013 Spring trends top of mind, we're reevaluating our basics with a fresh set of eyes. That means pencil skirts for the office (and beyond!) are covered in florals; t-shirts are printed, too; and no woman's wardrobe is complete without a great pair of sneakers and a perfect Spring sandal. Consider this your essentials checklist — just start clicking to shop all of our editors' picks.

The tricky transitional climate means we're ready to box our heavy boots and lug-soled heels till next Fall — but it's not exactly sandal weather yet. So we're looking to a style-conscious footwear hybrid: the open-toe or cutout bootie (or the fashion equivalent of having your cake and eating it, too). The clever silhouette feels lighter and fresher than our Winter ankle boots, but doesn't make the jump from zipped and laced-up boot to open sandals and bare feet. It's a perfect nod to Spring that's easy to incorporate into your transitional looks, like skinny jeans and anoraks — and it's a lot easier to wear than you think. To make our case, we've curated nine of our favorite pairs at all price points. Some are more fashion-forward, and some are just right for testing the waters — click on to find your perfect pair.

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We're all about Summer fun, but sometimes that's difficult to do in heels. That's where the borrowed-from-the-boys oxford comes in. The lower-heel profile makes them comfortable, but don't fret, they don't lose an ounce of cool. Whether the silhouette is classic (think brogue detailing and a patent finish) or culls fashion-forward accents like metallic shine, exotic texture, leather cutouts, or colorblocking, there's certainly a more dynamic way to interpret (read: wear) the flat oxford look. Luckily, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and even Zara have all crafted their own versions to appeal to a handful of style personalities. As for execution? Remember that these shoes work for day and night — and as long as you show a little ankle (at the very least), you're good to go. Click on for 19 of our favorite Summer oxford picks now.

— Additional reporting by Melody Nazarian