Be fashion forward for spring

Crocheted Cardigans Mannequins may switch from fresh green in March to cool blue for April then warm pink in May, but real women expect their wardrobe basics to last for years rather than weeks.With that in mind, the State Journal asked an Oregon woman to pull together three of her spring/summer 2007 outfits and let store managers and a personal shopper suggest ways to update each for 2008. Melanie Schmidt, owner of the Madison-based Timpano Group business consultants, admitted shopping falls low on her to-do list, but she was game to try suggested updates for a business suit, weekend casual wear and a special occasion outfit.Polished weekend casual"You don't really see jeans get outdated," says Ali Stifter, assistant store manager at Ann Taylor Loft in Greenway Station, Middleton. She was referring to Schmidt's dark jeans, a classic look compared with distressed jeans or those with special washes.Dark jeans provide a canvas that can be glitzed up with patent-leather slingbacks and metallic bangles . . . or colored springy with a twill trench in seaweed green ($129) over a black-and-white striped boatneck elbow-length sweater ($44). A patent-leather accented bag ($49) and Schmidt 's chunky necklace finish the look.Other spring wardrobe additions Stifter mentioned: the flattering-to-all sheath dress, a knit jacket to top the dress or pull another outfit together, spring cardigans over camis (the new twin set), colored jeans (yellow, pink, blue, white) balanced with neutral tops, pretty blouses from casual embroidered tops to polished wraps, and cropped pants to show off patent or faux python or crocodile slides.Business ... but not as usualSchmidt likes her silk and linen burgundy suit because she doesn 't have to think about what to wear. When she left the thinking to Andrea Sapon, personal shopper at the Hilldale Macy's, she realized the suit had more mileage when split. Sapon tried pairing the pants with a metallic jacket, which dressed up the outfit but didn't fit Schmidt's style for work; teaming the dark suit jacket with a neutral skirt, and many other combos.The one suiting Schmidt's style features two Lauren labels: the tropical wool jacket in bone ($105, marked down from the original $250) and the navy knit top dressed up with crocheted accents at the neck and three-quarter sleeve ($47.60 on sale from $59.50), which would be cute with a skirt, too. Jewelry by Alfani includes the chain-link necklace ($33.60 on sale from $42) and matching earrings ($11.20 on sale from $14). Bandolino open-toed patent wedge slingbacks ($49.98) and an Anne Klein ivory bag ($110.40 on sale from $138) pull together the professional but not stodgy look. The result is a lighter look for spring from a suit that could do business three seasons of the year.More tips from Sapon: If you don't have a lot to spend, update with a great handbag, chunky jewelry, silver pieces or new shoes such as a wedge, espadrille or patent pair. While many women and men might think a personal shopper is only for upper-income fashionistas, Sapon says she works with people with a range of budgets and can help them save money with additions that maximize existing wardrobes. For information about the free service, call 232-2400, Ext. 2421. Note: While other stores in this feature did not have personal shoppers, the staff at each is willing to help customers in the same way they worked with Schmidt.Special on more than one occasionContemplating Schmidt's long black knit skirt and matching top, West Towne Boston Store sales managers Shelley Meagher and Sarah Knauer started picturing color, from a swingy yellow jacket to red shoes, or metallics, from a shimmery top to a strappy sandal. With Schmidt's input, they agreed on a fandango pink cap-sleeve knit top by Leo & Nicole ($30.80 on sale from $44), which was long enough to show below the Rafaella modified swing jacket with belted and buckled three-quarter sleeves ($60.20 on sale from $86).Considering the jacket's busy zebra print, they rejected jewelry except for Kenneth Cole marcasite drop earrings ($24), then added Calvin Klein metallic sandals ($98), a near match to the black sandals Schmidt started with, and a classic clutch with a similar finish from the same designer ($118).More tips from Meagher and Knauer: The selected top would work with white capris or under a denim jacket or sweater, and the jacket would dress up city shorts or punch up a basic black sheath, to which they would add red or pink shoes. Other colors they'd add for spring and summer accents include yellow, green and bright purple. The sandals could go casual with jeans -- or dressy with wide-leg black pants. About the sandals, Knauer says, "A girl's got to have a fantastic pair of shoes."