Spring Series

Out of Africa is one of the most romantic movies of all time; set in colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness played by Meryl Streep falls in love with Robert Redford's fiercely independent big-game hunter. We won't ruin the love story's ending for you, but we will rhapsodize over the clothes for a moment. Streep carries rugged sensuality in menswear-inspired clothes — utility shirts, linen jackets, menswear-inspired pants — and to capture that same undone sexiness, we found a mix of utilitarian and feminine, vintage-inspired pieces. Click through our widget to shop.

If Vogue magazine covers tell us anything, it's that white — particularly in the form of eyelet, crochet, and lace — is going to be big again for Spring. We can look to Dolce and Gabbana's fresh Spring 2011 collection (at left and center) for giving us white dresses galore, and Alberta Ferretti (right) for reminding us of how romantic it can be. That said, we've always loved the fresh, innocent look of eyelet and cotton lace, partly because it's something you can only wear in warm weather. Here are our editor picks for pure white delight.

When Audrey Tautou brought the spark and sophisticated Parisian style of Coco Chanel to brazen life in the flick Coco Before Chanel, we got hooked on the iconic designer in her earlier years. How to adopt Coco's youthful vitality and style? It's about a smart jacket, a string of pearls, the ubiquitous striped top, and lots of menswear elements: wide trousers, vests, a hat. To make it modern, add casual elements to these more tailored, classic pieces. For example, mix a boucle jacket with a t-shirt, skinny jeans, and brogues. Or try wide-leg trousers with a slouchy silk shirt and tons of bracelets. We've gathered the best elements for a chic, ladylike wardrobe that is just a little smart 'n' sassy. Coco, we hope you would approve.

Jane Birkin could take the simplest piece of clothing and make it the chicest thing in the world, which just goes to show you, it's all about how you wear it. After all, a good basic never goes out of style. Perhaps that's why there are still waiting lists for Hermés Birkin bags, almost thirty years after Jane first inspired the design. For our spring shopping list, we're channeling Jane's iconic, easy breezy sex appeal, and going for the perfect basic: flared jeans, white tee, and the perfect minidress. Click our editors' picks for clean and sexy basics.