Say goodbye to heavy winter sweaters, long underwear and other cumbersome clothing: spring is here.

Last fall, during the spring preview fashion shows at the style meccas around the globe, it became apparent that this season would be all about color.

‘I already bought a lot of brightly colored stuff,’ said Amy Yodice, a senior textile studies major.

Marissa Katz, a senior psychology major, agreed. She said that colorful patterns and bright colors, especially yellow, would be huge.

Karen Bakke, chair of the department of fashion and design technologies, echoed that sentiment. Color is making a particular impact in jewelry, and people are choosing rubies and sapphires to represent this.

‘Diamonds used to be a girl’s best friend,’ Bakke said. ‘But now colored stones are big.’

Big, dangly chandelier earrings and personalized bracelets dot the glass cases at many trendy stores, including J. Michael Shoes on Marshall Street. Leslie Guinta, an employee of the store, said that these trends, as well as necklaces donning miniature flip flops, will be very popular in the spring.

Flip flops and sandals won’t only be popular around your neck, though; they’ll also be seen on the feet of the fashionable. Just don’t be caught in flat sandals or stilettos. Instead, find a medium between the two. Sandals with a little heel are expected to become the new ‘it’ shoe, said Allison Linkin, another employee of J. Michael.

Fun shoes are all the rage this season. Yodice said patent leather would be big, while Katz said her must-have item for the season is a pair of pink pumps. Guinta said hers was a pair of Pumas.

Pumas are great for both men and women seeking a comfortable, casual look. And even with sneakers, consumers will be able to follow the colorful precedent set by other clothes for this upcoming season – rows of brightly hued Pumas and other shoes can be found at many shoe stores.

A trip to the mall and into almost any store will confirm this colorful trend. Store walls are lined with greens, pinks, blues, yellows and reds, ready and waiting for the spring shopper.

Guinta also expects pleated, flowing mini-skirts to also be big, but not in the bright colors of other clothes. She says these items will be particularly popular in pink or camel and earth tones.

Layering will also be making a comeback this season, Bakke said, emphasizing the need for light fabrics. Yodice agreed, saying that linen would be a great fabric for the spring.

Jelly bags, colored bags with crocodile patterns and bags that have sitcom or television characters on them will be big as well.

Bakke attributed the appearance of characters on clothing to students watching Nick @ Nite, seeing the old shows and refamiliarizing themselves with the characters of previous generations.

For men, Bakke predicts the portrayal of these sitcom characters on T-shirts will be a highly fashionable trend. The standard T-shirt, jeans and hoodies that are all classics for men will remain hip, Guinta said.

While many people are tired of the Ashton Kutcher-inspired trucker hat trend, Guinta maintains that these hats will continue to cover the heads of the fashionable. Her employer is now selling John Deere hats, in addition to the ever-popular Von Dutch ones.

‘One minute ago, I saw three or four (trucker hats),’ said Bakke. ‘In Slocum, you see tons of them because of the architecture students.’

While students may be beginning to tire of the trucker hat phenomenon, Bakke said, there are other trends she would rather see die.

‘Every time I see something from the ’70s,’ Bakke said, ‘I cringe.’

The John Deere trucker hat, Steve Madden shoes, Puma sneakers, tank top and bag were used courtesy of J. Michael Shoes.

Published on April 7, 2004 at 12:00 pm