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The 2008 spring and Summer Fashion Line is as eclectic and varied as the designers who define it. Famous designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Dianne Von Furstenberg and Calvin Klein set the stage for the fashion-conscious - even in the Rio Grande Valley where the fashion emphasis is on bright colorful fabrics, bold styling and cool comfort. Wardrobes in '08 will be a potpourri of spring and summer garden colors, shiny metalics, and fine textures.

With temperatures sweltering and humid, women in the Valley want to be cool yet comfortable, but they don't want to sacrifice style and attitude. This season, they won't have to. There's enough breezy sass and lightweight savvy to fit every personality; from the flippant and flirty, to the serious and sophisticated regardless of size, body-shape or age.

Monochromatic schemes are last year's news. This season, it's all about mixing colors. Splashes of vibrant yellows, oranges, blues and hot reds are the designated attention-getters, in big, blocks of colors. Look for outfits with complimentary colors laying opposite one another. Big and bold makes it way to the stage without sacrificing style.

For those who want to make a quieter fashion statement, pastel shades of lilac, pink and lemon-yellow are popular as well. For the subdued personality, Gray is the new 'neutral' replacing black as the staple wardrobe foundation.
Wild animal prints, particularly leopard, are on the prowl in everything from sportswear to casual evening wear, and metalics are sparkling their way back to the forefront of fashion with a major bling.

The Greek influence is prevalent and the focus is on femininity combined with sophisticated sexuality. Dominating the designer's racks are billowy chiffons, soft, flippy silks and swingy organzas. They're being draped, scooped and deep-pleated into long ankle-length caftans and maxis in styles that are both clingy, to accentuate the well-toned woman, and free-flowing for those who need to camouflage body flaws.

Dresses and skirts are making a comeback, but those skimpy, barely-cover-your-asset hemlines are a thing of the past. The short mini-skirt is taking a fashion hike to the back of the closet where it can rest its threads and wait for a designer rebirth. The '08 Spring/Summer collection features conservative mid-knee and mid-calf lengths. While the first reaction may be relief, a little caution is warranted. Although the length is forgiving, the skirt style is not: Skirts are sleek, form-fitting

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