Provided by Monica

Monica Barnett of Blueprint For Style dishes fashion advice that should be in everyone's repertoire.

Women’s Spring Fashion in Washington

In the spirit of spring-cleaning, there’s one other thing that probably needs a major overhaul: your wardrobe. Two D.C. stylists chatted with the Flyer about their top do’s and don’ts when it comes to looking fly and fabulous, plus what’s on the horizon for spring trends for women (Look for a men's sneak peek next week). Here’s a cheat sheet with tips from a pro:

From Monica Barnett; Blueprint for Style; blueprintforstyle.com

About Monica: Barnett runs a company called Blueprint for Style, which is an image curating service for those who want to revamp or redo their look; she also runs a blog of the same name.

WF: Name five things that every woman must have in her closet.

1. Black sheath dress. Make it as plain as possible for optimal pairings.

2. A pair of black pointy toe plain flats. Buy patterned shoe clips to jazz up for every outfit you own. Barnett finds them all over the place—including here.

3. A long-sleeved white button-down shirt.

4. A nice charcoal gray pencil skirt. Charcoal gray is easier to dress up than black.

5. A great, oversized bag in a neutral color.

(Image of the basics, right, by Monica)

WF: What are some spring trends you’re seeing?

MB: The biggest spring trend is definitely floral prints. They’re huge. My advice: Make sure the piece is in proportion to your body size. For instance, if you’re bigger and you’re sticking to small prints, it’ll make you look larger. Not a good look.

The next thing is a ‘70s glam. This is a hard one to pull off. I actually don’t think it’s just for spring; I think you’ll see it well into fall. It’s a much more austere, fitted look. It’s an ultra-femme look, but what you have to be considerate of is that the average woman in ‘70s glam is not a great fit. She’s got a butt, hips and thighs so it’s tough to pull off. (left, by Marc Jacobs; photo by Harper's Bazaar)

Stripes are really big. Men and women alike, you’re going to see a lot of color—vibrant color contrast or color blocking. You’re seeing vibrant honeysuckle with yellow, greens with purples, oranges with coral. A great way to do it is in your shoes and belts or tees—you can recycle those every year.

Bell bottoms and wide leg trousers, but unless you’re really tall or very skinny, it’s very hard. If you do it, wear the highest heel you can possibly find. Whatever you can tolerate.

Pantsuits have also made a big, big resurgence, like in Paris or New York Fashion Week. For a city like D.C., that’s a hard pill to swallow because we’re definitely more conservative with our skirt suits. (right, photo by Harper’s Bazaar)

WF: Solve this fashion dilemma for us: You’re in your office all day, yet meeting the girls for a night on the town afterward. What do you do, short of keeping your wardrobe in your cubicle?

I call this “desk to date,” and there are four things that are a must. A wide, black belt, high heels, a clutch and something metallic (like this MK Clutch, left). I don’t care what it is, but something that shines or glistens.

I can take my blue suit that has got a powder blue pinstripe skirt suit and I can slip off my shoes, put on high-heels–or in summer, cognac or whiskey heels–take the shirt out of the skirt and put the wide belt and a statement necklace on, then just roll up those sleeves.

MB’s Hot Tip: A clutch is really what takes you from day to night. It signals, we’re moving somewhere else. I like shine, glitter and prints. I’ve got more leopard-print clutches than I know what to do with. When you get something that’s a plain clutch with great texture to it, it kicks it up a notch.

WF: Another common dilemma is jazzing up your work look in general. Suggestions?

The easiest thing to do is jazz up your accessories. It’s not only the easiest way, but it’s the most economical way. If you invest in a great wide belt that has leather covering instead of a gold or silver buckle, it’s a belt that will go with you anywhere.

Shoes are another way. For zestier prints, I go with flats versus heels. If you’re in a conservative environment, I will never suggest a red or bright orange pump. You work within the boundaries you’re given.

Statement jewelry is a great way to go. You’re better off going to Charm in Georgetown or going online to charmandchain.com and investing $250 in a nice piece that’s got some metallic and different metal ware and colors in it. I’m all into helping people think of versatility. (statement necklaces from Charm; available instore now )

If you’re going for a sparkle or a print, you tend to go with a flat, because the flat automatically makes it more demure. There’s a big difference between a pointy toe flat and a round toe flat—the pointy toe flat is much easier to dress up. A dark metallic means that it can go from day to evening and the pointy toe makes it a little bit dressier. I’m always inclined to tell people if you’re going to funk it up try to go with a rounded toe; it lessens the impact of what you’re presenting.

Any last words?

I think there are three basics that every woman should commit to. Know your style: Know it, live it, learn it and embrace it.

Know your base and your accent colors—one of the biggest things that I’m a fan of is determine a base color and create your accent colors. For instance, mine are red and a Kelly green. It allows me to go into my closet with my eyes closed and know that almost anything will work together.

Know your objective: Whether I’m traveling or out for the day, is my objective to be a super hot woman or is it to be on vacation and grunge and relax? Or be a party girl?

It’s easier to pack when you know your objective and get up in the day and say, “OK today I’m a rock star, so let’s get out my power suit.” Then when you get on the street, you don’t feel underdressed, you’re doing the right thing.

Know the objective for the day, the month or the trip.

Monica’s Shopping List

Shoes: Hu’s Shoes (3005 M St., NW; Georgetown)

Accessories: Charm (2910 M St., NW; Georgetown)

Cocktail/Party Dresses: Off 5th

Top 3 places to splurge in D.C.: Muleh, Lettie Gooch, and Urban Chic 

Best spot for classics: J. Crew (though 80 percent of Barnett’s white shirts come from this N.Y. spot)