FASHION

It's that time of year again: A new season of fashion trends has arrived! Straight off the designer runways in New York, Paris and Milan, these hot looks are what you're going to see hitting the stores very, very soon. Take a peek at what's coming up, and find out if any of these trends are something you'd like to try out!
1. Floral Prints

Photo © Delias.com.
Not just a pocket full of posies this season, designers like Ralph Lauren and Valentino went for the full garden shebang! If you're feeling daring you can go for a flouncy dress with an all-over print, or for a little less impact, try an accent bloom on a headband or handbag.
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2. Old-School Hollywood Glamour

Photo © Twelve By Twelve.
Maybe it's a backlash to Britney, Paris, and Lindsay's shenanigans, but it seems like designers are steering fashion away from the bad-girl image and hearkening back to times when ladies were ladylike…and even wore (gasp) undergarments! Tracy Reese and Badgley Mischka showed feminine, pulled-together looks on their spring runways, and even if you don't want to don a gown and elbow-length gloves, you can still try a cherry-hued lip gloss and a chic evening coat.
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3. Technicolor Brights

Photo © Girlprops.com.
Break out your sunglasses this spring, girls, because this season's clothes are going to be so shockingly bright you're gonna need 'em! Just about everyone from Versace to Zac Posen showed neon-hued pieces on the catwalks, so expect to see vibrant shades of yellow, pink, and green hitting your local shops soon.
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4. Ladylike Menswear

Photo © Charlotte Russe.
Some of the biggest names in fashion like Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Dior and Yves St Laurent all took a nod from the boys with menswear-type suiting, but then added nipped-in waists and feminine touches to make the looks completely wearable. I think that oxford booties (still a hit from last season) are a fun way to ease into the trend – but if you're really daring you should try wearing a girlie version of a men's necktie!
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5. Ethnic Touches

Photo © Free People.
Safari-chic was all over the spring runways and the look was done especially beautifully by Diane von Furstenberg. Think beaded, tribal-inspired pieces and colorful ikat fabrics in modern, feminine dresses. For just a hint of this flavor, go for a graphic-print tunic over your favorite pair of jeans.
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6. Transparency

Photo © Zappos.com.
A totally 'cheeky' idea, some risqué designers like the ever-witty Marc Jacobs decided to show transparent or sheer garments in their fashion shows! While that idea is a bit tricky to pull off in the real world, a see-through handbag is a fun, less revealing way to get the look.
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7. Black & White

Photo © Alloy.com.
The most classic combo around, ebony and ivory made a HUGE comeback for spring '08. Even Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. line rocked the look, so get ready to add lots more of these basic staples into your wardrobe.
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8. Eco-friendly

Photo © Barneys New York.
Eco-awareness is a hot topic across all fields, but in fashion the trend is especially picking up steam. For years all of the organic clothing was – let's face it – a little boring, but finally there are some fun, fashion-forward items out there that you'll want to wear regardless of if they're saving the planet! Red-hot young designer Phillip Lim has contributed to the movement with a line of organic cotton pieces, and loads of other designers (even Levi's) are also on board.
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9. Heavy Metals

Photo © Target.
Metallic gold and silver have been big for about two years now, and the trend is not going away anytime soon; as seen at Anna Sui, it's just getting glitzier and more head-to-toe! Don't sweat saving your precious metals for evening, either – they look really unexpectedly fresh mixed in with daytime pieces. I especially love silver ballet flats, and I wear mine with everything from jeans to party dresses!
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10. Dip-dye

Photo © Gojane.com.
Fashion folks call this trend ombre, but whether you say it's gradient or tie-dye the idea is the same: Colors that gradually fade from light to dark. Prada started this craze last fall with its handbags and shoes, and now the look is transitioning into just about everything from tank tops to socks.