Spring Trends!

My friend Camille and I write a fashion column for our school's newspaper, here is the latest!

Spring 2012 fashion has been a time for reinvention and evolution of style. The trends this spring have been taken from the last hundred years or so and given a more fresh and current twist. While some of these trends may seem a little avaunt-garde and out of the normal college student's reach, read on to learn how to wear runway fashions in the classroom.

The first trend is bold or neon colors. This has been a popular trend for the last couple of spring seasons and is growing stronger. Katy Perry and Nikki Minaj have used this trend with their unorthodox hairstyles, but there are plenty of tamer options. If first approaching this trend, a bold-colored accessory is perfect. A belt or pair of shoes in any range of neon hues can add the needed pop of color to an otherwise neutral outfit. Color blocking is still in style and goes hand in hand with bold colors. Remember when color blocking your clothes to stick to neutral colored accessories, or vice versa.

 
Ocean-inspired clothing is a new trend this season, trailing the movements to become a greener earth. Chanel showed a variety of clothing in this trend, including beautiful ruffles, patterns and silhouettes that are linked aesthetically to all sorts of underwater animals and plants. This trend can easily find its way into everyone's wardrobes. Want to add a little more blue to your outfits? Select delicate beaded pieces and flowing ruffles.

Jessica Lomas, a fashion merchandising major at Lasell College, gave some insight on this season.

"Personally, I think loose, flowing fits are key to this spring" Lomas said in an email. "As for shoes, I'll be wearing lots of gladiator sandals, but would love to purchase some cutout or colorblock wedges.  As a broke college student and a fashion merchandising major, the key is to find trendy, yet unique pieces on a budget. This season is all about having fun with your clothes: mixing prints, going bold, and feeling free!"

Prints are a long withstanding trend, constantly evolving and changing to become more current and relevant. Mixing prints is a really good way to be bold. When mixing them, however, it is easy to get carried away and seem a little costumey. Think about proportion: keep larger prints on top and smaller on the bottom, or stick with one simple print and one more complicated. It's all about balance. Key prints this season will be stars, zig zags, and birds.
 
Pastels are a usual favorite for spring. This season they have been shown in layers, pink on pink, white on pink, and beige on green. Pastels are becoming the entire outfit. If this seems a little too "Easter" for some, they can always be offset by patterns in different colors and darker neutrals. Regardless of how they are worn, pastels are a usual staple for any spring wardrobe.

One trend that does not translate well to college life is the mid-drift. The runway showed a number of models in looks that showed skin from under the bust to above the belly button. Although it looks great on the runway, it is not appropriate for the classroom or the dining hall. If you are dying to try it, save it for going out. A neon crop top and high-waisted black body-con skirt will look striking. Wear it with a boyfriend style blazer on top to show just a sliver of skin.

 
Pleated skirts are very romantic looking and have the ability to work with a variety of personal styles and types of outfits. While a shorter length paired with lace and pastel colors give off a feminine vibe, it could also just as easily be seen in a more bohemian styled outfit. A maxi pleated skirt can be belted at the waist with a patterned shirt and flat sandals. This skirt can be toughened up with a leather jacket or toned down with denim.

When picking a trend to work with this season remember to keep your personal style in mind and do not get too hung up on the designer looks. Think of the runway as a tool of inspiration to give your wardrobe a fresh look for the up-coming season. The best part about trends is picking one that works for you that you feel comfortable and confident wearing.