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Ask A San Francisco Expert: Fashion-Forward Thinking For Spring 2016

(credit: Cati Gallardo)

Cati Gallardo
Director of Public Relations
Bloomingdale's San Francisco + Stanford
845 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 856.5759
www.bloomingdales.com

A San Francisco resident for 16 years, Cati Gallardo currently oversees public relations for Bloomingdale's in Northern California. In one word, Bloomingdale's conjures up an array of fantastic style images as the store name alone is synonymous with what's in style right now. With a nod to quality in competitive price ranges for Bay Area fashion-forward consumers, this iconic shopping destination continues to be a go-to venue for fashion.

When Cati is not surrounded by fabulous clothes, planning parties and discovering new ways to give back to the community, you can find her drinking hot chocolate, chasing after her one-year-old daughter and exploring the great outdoors with her family, which includes three rescue dogs. Cati encourages all fashion-forward Bloomingdale's fans to follow her personal journey on Instagram @_c_a_t_i_. And for style inspiration, be sure to follow @Bloomingdales.

Look to Runways For Inspiration

"When shopping for spring, most of us are looking for the same thing: clothes that make us feel pretty and confident. Lucky for us, the definition of both is truly up to us! Most women – and men – are looking to revamp their wardrobes this time of year. With some inspiration taken from runway looks, a few well-chosen purchases can help make way for a whole new season of style."

Upcoming Trends For Spring 2016

"Spring 2016 RTW collections focused on classic feminine style. Raf Simons hit the fashion nail on the head when he described his Spring 2016 collection for Dior as having 'femininity, fragility and sensitivity, without sacrificing strength and impact.' From head-to-toe white, stripes and bright pops of color, there was truly something for everyone, which is what makes shopping in Spring 2016 so exciting. Key trends of the season include: off-the-shoulder dresses, military blazers, ruffles, lace, bold statement earrings and my personal favorite, the slip dress. I loved the '90s and don't mind at all re-living the decade through its ultimate minimalist staple, a silky slip dress."

San Francisco Bay Area Must-Haves

"Spring 2016 trends sway to the classic, with a twist, which is exactly how most women in San Francisco roll. Due to our unique climate, everyone in the city can use an updated military blazer or leather jacket to layer over work separates or a feminine off-the-shoulder date dress for a fresh look year-round."

Experiment With Accessories

"If you don't like to go bold with your clothing choices, try making a statement with accessories. Every San Franciscan or visitor to the city needs a scarf, which happens to be right on trend for Spring 2016. Tie it 10 different ways until you find your signature look. Add a bold earring to your basic black dress, make a statement in sky-high platforms or keep it comfortable with fly sneakers; just don't be afraid to try something new! In Oakland and San Francisco, we take Muni or BART to work and to play, which means we all require a stylish haul-stuff-around bag. Saddlebags and backpacks are a must-have trend this spring, and dare I say it, a thoroughly practical purchase for Bay Area residents."

Where To Shop In San Francisco

"If you're shopping downtown, you can find everything you need for your spring wardrobe at Bloomingdale's. It's one-stop shopping for trendy pieces and wardrobe staples at all price points. Plus, you can pick up some new sheets or that daring lip color you've been dying to try in one trip! If you are completely wardrobe challenged, or in a hurry, make an appointment with our team of personal shoppers who can help you with any fashion emergency. If you are out exploring San Francisco neighborhoods, check out Painted Bird, Joshu+Vela, Reliquary, Ver Unica, The Podolls, Relic Vintage or Fiat Lux to experience the best in vintage and local labels."

Melanie Graysmith is a writer, artist and educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She writes on adult education, art and culture, business, and lifestyle topics, and enjoys writing short stories and poetry. She is also a part of the Bay Area independent film community. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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