10 Wearable Spring Trends

Section: Fashion

Cynthia Nellis

One word for spring fashion? Dresses. And lots of them. In fact, in recent trend cycles dresses have never been hotter. There are babydolls (I guess we can thank Paris Hilton for that), kimono-sleeve dresses, shirtdresses, wrap dresses, jersey dresses...you get the picture. They work for daytime and nighttime, and there's a look for every body, age and budget. But there's more to this spring than just dresses: metallics, patent, animal prints and bangle bracelets all make appearance on our list of wearable trends for now. Find out which spring fashion trends work for you.

Daytime Dresses - Runway: Daytime dresses run the gamut from wildly printed wrap dresses to short knit miniskirts.
Reality: You can give current trends a nod by opting for great prints and updated touches (like a wide belt). For work, choose these career options.

Sporty Chic - Runway: Teensy little shorts -- some so tight and tiny they looked like panties -- appear up on the runway.
Reality: Shorts lose their "for tourists only" status and make a comeback in both short and longer lengths.

The Little White Dress - Runway: Little White Dresses are shown for day and night time wear.
Reality: Wear the Little White Dress in place of the LBD (white to weddings is still a no-no, though) and accessorize with white or metallic sandals and big, chunky bangles.

Animal Prints - Runway: Big animal prints show up on everything from handbags to trench coats.
Reality: Animal prints -- leopard, zebra, etc. -- are a classic, but that doesn't mean just anyone can wear them. First, you'll need to scale the size of the print to your body type (larger prints for larger or taller women, and vice versa). This time of year you'll want to pair them with white to lighten them up. Add updates touches like a wide belt or patent accessories and shoes.

Fun Florals - Runway: Blooms are a perennial spring fave, but this season they come in fun sizes and colors.
Reality: To look modern, you need to pass on the ditsy little prints and go for something bright and bold, like hot pink or bright blue; graphic black and white floral prints are great, too. Floral embellisments don't have to just be in a print; look for flower embellishment, tone-on-tone embroidery and accessories, too.

Patent - Runway: Normally tame accessories like wide belts and pumps take on shine with patent.
Reality: Black patent -- either in a wide belt or clutch bag -- is the easiest to wear. Bright patent pieces add plenty of pop -- orange, bright blue, red -- so pair them with something equally strong like graphic black and white outfits.

Metallics - Runway: Designers add glitz to both daytime and evengwearwith sequins, lurex and metallic lace.
Reality: You might have metallic overdose because it's been around for so many seasons, but this time try metallics in apparel pieces instead of just accessories. Soft gold or silver lurex or lace pieces have just the right touch of shine for daytime. Mix daytime pieces with white for a fresh, warm-weather look. For after-five, the more subdued metallics work, but you can also up the gleam factor with big gold and silver spangles and beaded short dresses.

Minidresses - Runway: The skirts are so short on some of the minis and babydolls that they barely cover the model's bottom.
Reality: Shorter may be better for shorts, dresses and skirts, but this is definitely a youthful trend. Get the same leggy look with a bit more coverage by adding a minidress with black tights or by putting a minidress over skinny cropped jeans.

Slim Pants - Runway: Slim pants pair with voluminous tops for a full-over-skinny look.
Reality: Slim -- not super-skinny -- pants and jeans are still hot for spring. Pair them with longer tunic-length tops or swingy jackets

Bold Bangles - Runway: Chunky, bright bangles accessorize everything!
Reality: Mix colors and materials -- gold, patent -- to keep the look strong, but playful.