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We hope so — we’re ready to put away the shades of gray and black that dominated fall and winter fashions, and brighten up our wardrobes.
But what do you shop for to freshen up your look for spring ’08?
We’ve rounded up six big trends to tap into.
TREND ... TRIBAL
This look is most sharply defined by bold (and often) bright prints that have a hand-crafted appearance, including batik, woven and strong geometric patterns. Accessories include painted wood beads, faux bone, animal prints and woven pieces.
Tips for wearing it:
“Have fun with embellishments,” said Laird Borelli, an editor for Vogue’s Style.com. She suggests looking for details that copy Africa’s Maasai tribe’s legendary beadwork (bright, primary colors). She also advises finding a silhouette that hangs close to the body if you’re going to choose a loud print. In fact, to keep from looking like you’re going to a costume party, choose pieces that have modern construction — long, loose tanks and short A-line dresses.
TREND ... TRANSPARENCY
If tribal is this spring’s wild side, transparency is its softer side. Look for sheer fabrics over or under others, dresses with peek-a-boo insets and bits of lace.
Tips for wearing it:
Layer, layer, layer, Barelli said. That sheer blouse needs to be worn over a tank top or under a blazer. Or, simply find a piece that incorporates layering for you.
TREND ...
NEO-HIPPIE
This doesn’t stray too far from the boho trend that has been popular for a while, but expect to see more vibrant colors and more prints, like tie- and dip-dying and paisley.
Tips for wearing it:
Accessories can be key to this look. Gina Kelly, fashion editor at Seventeen, suggests picking up a pair of gladiator sandals, a summer scarf or a slouchy hobo bag.
TREND ... SATURATED, BRIGHT COLOR
Look for bright blues, yellows, purples, greens, pinks — shelves and racks look like Skittles-bag explosions. If this season has a single overriding theme, color is it.
Tips for wearing it:
Choose your hue. If you look horrible in yellow, wear pink or purple instead. Any color goes, as long as it’s bold, experts say. Match a bright blue dress with yellow patent shoes as in the J. Crew catalogs for a vibrant, youthful look. Not sure you can handle that much color? Pair that dress with blue print sandals that echo, but don’t compete, with the hue of the dress. Keep nail polish neutral.
TREND ... FLORALS
No matter how you like your flowers — small and dainty or candy-colored and large — you can find them this season. “Florals are everywhere,” Borelli said. “Designers found their green thumb.”
Tips for wearing it:
Temper florals in eye-catching colors with a dose of a neutral, such as black or white, said Joyce Corrigan Caruso, fashion editor at Marie Claire. Washington Post fashion editors advised readers recently to pair floral frocks with edgy accessories to keep from looking too frumpy. They also recommended modern silhouettes for these floral fabrics, like structured minidresses.
TREND ... CONTEMPORARY ART-INSPIRED
Think stained-glass and beautifully blocked geometric patterns. Or look for fabrics that look like they’ve been painted with brush strokes. Art-inspired looks range from soft impressionist-inspired pieces to contemporary abstract patterns. Again, color rules.
Tips for wearing it:
A little bit of this trend goes a long way, Caruso said. Pick one thing.
