The season’s heavy hitters, like Betsey Johnson, have already shown their spring collections and revealed what they believe to be the direction the fashion world is taking.

While all collections are bound to be a bit different, there were some trends that seemed to travel from model to model.

One noticeable switch from not only past seasons but from usual spring collections is a larger amount of completely neutral looks. Many designers, including Valentino, Versace and Armani have gone for a more modest use of color by incorporating a lot of black, navy, tan and white. There were plenty of basic colors matched with each other instead of incorporating larger pops of color like in previous spring shows.

“Basically the palette for spring 2009 is vibrant color balanced by neutral tones,” said teaching specialist for apparel and textile design Lori Faulkner. “The idea behind it is the vibrant colors come from the designers trying to present a hopeful attitude while the neutral colors are providing a sense of stability in these difficult economic times.”

But don’t fret, designers didn’t forget they were still designing for an expectation-heavy season, and taking into consideration this mind-set, stayed true to the spring’s classic ability to take advantage of bright colors.

“Of course, in every spring collection there are going to be their brights and their florals,” said apparel and textile design senior Ricardo Charles.

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Another trend on the runway was a level of sophistication and femininity that is refreshing after a cold winter of bundling up. Longer shorts and modest necklines offer a classier appeal to many of the spring lines.

It looks like the old saying still stands, “You can tell the state of the economy by how low the hemlines are.”

Some students think this also will extend not just to hemlines, but to more feminine, flattering shapes and cuts of clothing, as well as color, for the everyday woman.

“Fashion is going more toward the contours of the body,” said apparel and textile design senior Shannon Sabbag. “I think clothes are starting to look more toward what’s flattering on the majority and not just a 6-foot-tall model.”

This does seem to be the case with many of the higher-end designers going toward loose-fitting?, figure-flattering separates in a variety of silks and body-hugging dresses in more curve-loving fabrics.

“Obviously regular spring colors like pastels,” said apparel and textile design junior Claire Pearcy. “But this year I think it will be more cool colors.”

Faulkner said lavender and yellow are going to be big this season — two colors which incorporate a calmness designers want with the feeling of spring.

“You probably saw Michelle Obama wear the two-piece yellow ensemble for the inauguration,” Faulkner said.

While these trends are all true of the upcoming season, the shows and trends are still leaving room to change things up, with very few cemented trends in the near future.

“They are saying it’s an unexpected mix,” Faulkner said. “They are calling it ‘Tomorrow Land,’ for things that are happening now mixed with things that have happened before.”

 
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The little black dress, which always will be in style, can buddy up to some friends this season. There are accessories available for those looking to jazz up an older or more classic look.

Faulkner said wide and wavy belts, ripped-up floral tights and floral print shoes are all in style this spring.

Also coming up this spring were many floral patterns, but not the typical large, pastel-based fabrics, but smaller and more detailed touches of floral on items such as glasses and blouses.

Getting back to the basics will be important as well. In this economic climate, people look for things with staying power. So, simple is in.

As for men, Pearcy said she believes that the more European style is coming into mainstream for the men, with scarves and male accessories becoming more acceptable.

“Where a few years ago it may have been considered a little forward, I think the European kind of look is coming into play,” Pearcy said, citing pointier-toed dress shoes and slimmer pants.

Charles echoes what some of the runways were showing in terms of trends to adopt as the weather gets warmer.

“A pair of shorts,” Charles said. “Not short shorts, but like Bermuda shorts are good.”

He also said ankle pants and breathable fabrics are going to be a good move into spring.

“Go for your knits,” he said. “Knits are always comfortable.”

Faulkner also suggested a few staples to incorporate into a spring-friendly wardrobe, including a short jacket, loose, flowing pants with a raised waist and a sheer sweater for girls.

For men, she suggested slender jeans, shirts with patterns and details and cropped shirt jackets.

Also, for someone looking for something fresh to invest in, Faulkner has an idea for you.

“A little white dress for this spring,” she said. “Something you can put those sheer sweaters over.”

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Looking to put some more fashion-forward pieces into your wardrobe but not sure how to do it? Here are some tips for the time and dollar-conscious consumer.

“The best thing you can do is plan way ahead,” Charles said.

He said watching the colors you incorporate into your closet can make a world of difference. Stay away from winter-specific colors and more of a year-round color palette.

“Try to get something that is brighter. … A bright, baby periwinkle blue sweater will look nice in the winter, but you can easily wear it in the spring.”

Pearcy said she prefers going the layering route so she can get more use of her warm weather clothes, and it also offers a smooth transition into different seasons. She also said the details are important to versatility.

“If you have a basic outfit, you can always spruce it up with accessories,” she said. “If you have basic, solid clothes you can go a lot of directions with it.”

The best thing about this season though, is it’s student-friendly it is, with tons of versatile and quirky styles being thrown together to make one big melting pot of what is being called fashionable.

Referring to the style as “modern urban techno with a touch of romanticism,” Faulkner is quick to point out how approachable the trends are for students.

“It’s a mix of all kinds of stuff. It’s really a mix of old and new. It’s a great season for students because they are able to buy a few key pieces and mix in their existing wardrobe.”

Looking through stores and to the runways, there really is a bit of every decade thrown into the collections for the spring, ranging from silk silhouettes reminiscent of the ’70s to waistlines that evoke feelings of the ’50s, there is a little bit of any decade you want to gear yourself toward.

 
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Though making the transition from the cold of winter to the warmth of spring can arouse some need for many changes in wardrobe, there will always going to be some classic standbys that will hang in your closet from season to season for years to come.

“For men, the thing you must have in your wardrobe is the perfect-fitted suit,” Charles said. “I think you need to invest $500 or even $1,000 for a nice suit. The brand doesn’t matter.”

Charles suggests a dark charcoal gray, so you don’t accidentally end up in a black suit that looks too much like a tuxedo. For women, he suggests a nicely fitting tan trench coat and a pair of platform pumps.

“I know some women don’t like platform pumps because they say they look kind of risqué and tacky,” Charles said. “But platform heels are essential.”

What else does the women looking to stay in vogue need to have on hand at all times?

“Always a little black dress,” Pearcy said. “I wear it all the time.”