by Jamie LB

Created on: February 22, 2008

Nothing says spring and summer like the return of bold colors, sun dresses, and sandals.
After months of sun deprivation, now is the time to ditch our winter jackets and dig out our slinky tops and short shorts!

But with a new season comes new trends, and 2008 is no exception. This spring and summer, we can count on a mixture of classic styles and trendy accessories that can make for both a classy and comfortable look.

The biggest new trend for this season is bold colors and prints. Oranges, blues, and greens were all over the runways, and prints took over as the dominant fashion. From florals to geometric checkers and tie-dye patterns, shirts and dresses with bright colors and unique designs are a great way to play up a casual look. While bright colors can play up an otherwise boring outfit, prints should be worn sparingly; if a pattern is bold, go for low-key accessories.

Off the shoulder and one-shoulder shirts and dresses are a fancy alternative to a little black dress. Whether you are out on the town with friends or headed to a cocktail party, a simple dress with a skewed neckline says both classy and sassy and can be appropriate for any occasion. This design can be worn at every age and is acceptable for bar hopping, romantic dinners, or casual dates.

Also trendy for the coming seasons are mix and match pieces with both girly details and masculine shapes. The gender-bending combination of a ruffled top or lingerie-inspired necklines with a men's style blazer is a fun twist to a work outfit. By adding jeans and heels, you can easily transform it into cute and comfortable happy hour attire.

For those with a less complex style, staying with a monotone theme is simple and fuss-free. Head-to-toe white or nude brings a sleek and summery feel to any outfit and is easy to coordinate. White linen pants with a sheer top over a white tank top is ideal for a relaxing summer day and can be dressed up with fun colorful accessories, like printed scarves or orange bangles. Both scarves and citrus-shades are hot looks for the coming seasons and are an effortless way of adding a burst of excitement to outfits.

Other accessories that are in high demand for spring and summer range from chunky jewelry to embellished features and metallic hues. Hats, belts, and purses are all coming with embroidered and heavily-detailed designs or in shiny finishes. Skinny belts in particular are popular for minimizing waistlines and dressing up basic dresses and tops. Hats are the new solution to

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