White clothes were looking like such a promising alternative to winter’s grey, browns and blacks till the wind carried in snow, hail and frigid temps again. Old Navy has taken no notice and is pushing a full line of white clothing selections. East India comes to mind. Spanish influenced stitching and embroidery embellishes otherwise plain items. Double layer tank tops are jazzed up with doily-like yarn knitted sections for accent across the breast. One tank top in particular had eye-brow raising placement of knitted flowers directly over the nipple area. A mildly-flared cut through the rib and stomach area are endlessly forgiving. Solid white one-piece calf and ankle skimming dresses beg for layering with bright or earthy cardigans tied just under the breast or worn with a T-shirt underneath. Made from mostly linen and cotton, the garments range from soft, free-flowing shapes and patterns for shirts and dresses to pants and shorts that are more form-fitting and structured. Pants could easily be paired with a cropped jacket and silk shirt for the office or a pair of stilettos for the evening. One row over at Old Navy, bold and brightly colored patterns take over. Strong lush greens, vivid blues and fiery reds scream of tropical Florida heat. Mix and match with staid white pieces to keep from looking like a misplaced tourist. Prices range from $20-$60.



[Old Navy, locations in Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup and Olympia, www.oldnavy.com]