Lauren Conrad: Her Dos And Don'ts For Getting Dressed This Spring

by Tracey Lomrantz for glamour.com
Who better to ask for some warm-weather fashion advice than the queen of sun-kissed California cool, Lauren Conrad? Her latest collection for Kohl's has just hit stores, and she's sharing her Dos and Don'ts for getting dressed this spring with Slaves to Fashion!
We rang Lauren up this morning to talk about designing her own line for Kohl's, her latest splurge, and the Dos and Don'ts of spring's biggest trends.

STF: So, what's life like post-Hills? Is it really different doing the designer thing than it was doing the TV thing?
LC: Well, I get to make my own schedule now, and that's nice. When you're filming and working on a TV series, you kind of have to compromise everything you do, and now I'm able to fully commit to everything I do, including my line for Kohl's.
STF: I noticed that you're the model in all of your lookbook shots for the new spring collection. How important is it to you to actually wear the clothes you design?
LC: I think if you're not willing to wear your own clothes, you're doing something wrong. With this line, it was kind of meant to be about my style and pieces I want to walk into a store and want to buy. If you're not wearing your own line, you're taking all the fun out of it. I wanted to just fill up my own closet with stuff I love!

STF: Do you have a favorite piece from this collection? If a girl could only splurge on one thing this spring, what should it be?
LC: I love blazers. We have one in every collection, and we usually update it and tweak it a little bit. In this specific collection I also really love the biker jacket we did. It was the most requested item from my friends!
STF: Speaking of splurges, what was your latest one?
LC: Hmm...it's probably shoes. It's always shoes! I just got a pair of brown Louboutins but it was just because I had this Miu Miu pair last season that I wore literally every other day, so I needed something new--those were kind of an update to those everyday shoes I love.

STF: You know since I'm from Glamour, I've gotta talk Dos and Don'ts. I'm going to name a few hot spring trends, and you tell me whether they're a Do or a Don't! Let's start with knee socks.
LC: Ooh. I love them in an editorial look. When I think knee socks I always go to that Sex and the City scene where Carrie wore them with a heel, which looked amazing but I've tried to do it and I cant. I think if it peeks out of a tall boot, like a riding boot, it works, but generally it's hard to pull off.
STF: How about the lingerie-inspired trend?
LC: That's a Do! I love that trend. It's about finding the lingerie inspired pieces, rather than wearing actually lingerie. And it's about layering--you want one piece in there, whether it's a cami or just some small lace detail on another piece. You don't want to show too much, but I think it's so feminine.
STF: Double denim? AKA the "Texas Tuxedo"?
LC: Don't. I can't do denim on denim. There are usually one or two trends a season I just don't get and this one of them. It's a hard look to class up.

STF: How about watercolor prints? A Do or a Don't?
LC: DO! I love watercolor prints. I think they're very romantic and kind of timeless. I almost did too much of it with this collection. When we were shopping for prints with Kohl's everything I picked was watercolor and floral. They're very in because of the whole Alice in Wonderland thing.
STF: And I have to ask, because they're everywhere this season...hot pants!
LC: Um...I love them in editorial. YSL just did one that looks fabulous on a model but I don't think they're something you can wear every day. I'd say try it as a bathing suit bottom instead. You can't wear them to the club, because you're going to look like one of the dancers, but they could look cute on the beach!
`Tracey Lomrantz for glamour.com