opening credits

Warming Up To Spring Style

ABOVE: Jodi Arnold dress ($394, Hysteria, 125 S. Fairfax St., Alexandria; 703-548-1615) and gold bracelet ($9,000, Adeler Jewelers, 772-E Walker Rd., Great Falls, Va.; 703-759-4076)

CALL IT THE TULIP EFFECT. As soon as spring finally pops out in D.C., my fashion cravings suddenly switch from the most serious of black dresses to hot hues and floral motifs — the brighter the better. It’s an urge I see echoed at warm-weather bashes and on the streets of downtown, as exuberant cocktail dresses in botanic shades and trench coats in cheerful stripes burst into bloom, vanquishing the neutrals of winter.

Lucky for me, designers also went on an effervescent color and pattern binge this spring, with shipshape nau-tical stripes, garden-party florals and edgy abstracts blossoming on dresses, shoes and even bags. We captured this ready-for-summer trend in our cover story, shot on location at National Harbor in Princes George’s County, Md.

In this issue, we also dive into the worlds of two of the country’s hottest designers: Michael Kors, who opened two new stores here in recent months, and Phillip Lim, whose sporty-yet-sweet clothes fly off the racks at local retailers. You’ll also get an eyeful of the party scene with our coverage of well-dressed pets and their stylish owners at Fashion for Paws. And for our regular foray into the philosophical side of fashion, writer Cathy Alter examines the dance between shoppers and boutique owners. Like every issue of FW, this one should inspire you to soak up the stores, sights and scenes of this chic capital city. Working on it sparked my own spring must-have list, which includes a pretty flowered frock, a dramatic gold cuff, some nude wedges and — to keep that whole garden groove going — a sunny straw bag. I hope to see you around town indulging in some similarly uplifting styles. JENNIFER BARGER, EDITOR, FW