Spring fashion in full bloom

It’s spring, and fashion is as bright and striking as the blossoming flowers. The season’s top looks are about vivid color, bold patterns and dramatic accessories.

Dresses

This spring, dresses are colorful, cinched at the waist and femininely adorned with either ruffles, fringe, sequins or bows. High fashion designers such as Alexander McQueen and Roberto Cavalli showcased long and flowy hippie-inspired dresses in tie-dye, floral patterns and fringed layers. On the other hand, Valentino showcased form-fitting dresses that hit mid-thigh, in pastel colors and classic black and white polka-dotted dresses cinched at the waist with girly bows. Yet true to every runway was intense color, including neons.

“Dresses this season are in very bright, bright colors,” Elizabeth Williams, human resource manager of J.Crew at West Town Mall, said.

Dresses come in “floral prints with touches of eyelet” and “bold colors and patterns,” Williams said.

In fact, J.Crew offers short dresses in colors such as bright blue, red and yellow as well as black and white patterned dresses and floral printed dresses in shades of red.

Dresses offer versatility for a season full of warm weather, frequent events and travel.

“Fabrics are lightweight and breathable. Dresses can transition from day to night and can be dressed down with flip-flops or dressed up with metallic heels and a cardigan,” Williams said.

With a wide range of colors and many diverse styles this season, there really is a dress for every occasion.

Florals

Appropriate for the season, flower-patterns bloomed on the runways of most designers, including Balenciaga, Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs. Awe-inspiring hand-painted florals debuted at Dolce and Gabbana and Christian Lacroix’s dresses were adorned with big, bold flowers in electric blue, yellow and pink. Spring’s wild floral designs are seen on dresses, skirts, handbags and shoes.

“We have floral-patterned dresses, tanks and ballet flats,” Ashley Peeples, sales associate at Gap at West Town Mall, said. “There’s a blue flower patterned strapless dress. There’s lots of pastel colors and patterns.”

This spring, one can’t go wrong with the oh-so-feminine floral designs that come in all the season’s bright colors.

Pants

Patterned pants are popular this season with safari and tribal-like designs by Oscar de la Renta and DKNY. Even more, the bohemian look is in this season, which includes flared pants and cargo pants, according to the March edition of Elle magazine.

“Keep flared pants from going too retro by adding a simple white shirt and a classic crewneck,” the magazine reported.

Simple denim jeans can now be worn throughout the heat of the summer because some companies are making the pants in a lighter material.

“Denim companies, such as Citizens of Humanity, are making jeans in a lighter weight ounce, so they can be worn in the summer,” Melony Bilbrey, sales buyer at Classy Lady, said.

Shorts

In accordance with the safari-styled pieces on the spring runways, khaki colored shorts remain a classic look for spring.

“Khakis attained a place in the annals of fashion history as a favorite fabric of Ralph Lauren in the ‘80s and went mass with the chain store Banana Republic,” advised fashion expert Anne Slowey in the March edition of Elle magazine.

Besides khakis, denim shorts are ano-ther popular look for the season.

“Dress up denim shorts with a struct-ured blazer and polished accessories,” the magazine reported.

Still, shorts are no longer thigh-high minis.

“Bermuda shorts are still a big item for spring,” Williams said.

Shoes

This season, heels are in vibrant colors and prints such as yellow, blue and red and vary in geometric and artistic shapes and sizes. Many shoes this season are patterned in animal prints and florals.

“Bright, bold colored peep-toe heels, patent leather heels and wedges are big,” Williams said. “Patterned ballets flats are also big.”

Ugg’s new summer line offers espadrilles in linens and suedes with their signature sheepskin in the front of the foot bed.

“Ugg has a summer line now that includes a great wedge in a denim color that goes cute with khaki linen shorts or a jean skirt,” Bilbrey said.

Accessories

This spring’s accessories are all about making a statement. While bags are bright and structured, the clutch dominated the season’s top accessory looks. The oversize clutch is huge this season, according to the March issue of Elle magazine.

Another oversize accessory is the belt, which is wide and bejeweled this season. The season’s jewelry is bolder than ever, particularly bangles.

“Bangles are big this season, we sell a lot. They are thick and colorful,” Williams said.

Additionally, scarfs are a really popular accessory and can still be worn in the spring, she said. For instance, wearing a scarf in place of a necklace is different and stylish, Williams said.