READY-TO-WEAR
Spring-Summer 2008 is all about colors and shapes- Bold and bright neons, soft pastels; Florals, polka dots and dramatic silhouettes. It’s a very airy, light and romantic season. During hard times like this, it’s important to have a sense of joy in fashion, so put away your dark, boring winter wardrobe and go Va-Va-Voom on these new trends.

Star Shine Star Bright
There is a certain 50’s Americana vibe going on this season. Karl Lagerfeld did a retro, sporty and free spirited collection at Chanel, incorporating the American spirit into the garments with stars and stripes. Karl opened the show with an army of models in denim jackets, swimsuits and even jumpsuits!  Yup! Denim is back, and the lighter wash the better. Get the look by wearing the light blue denim jacket you’ve been hiding in your closet. And if you don’t have one get one, so you can work the old school look.

In Full Bloom
Whether it be a floral print dress, or a vintage camellia brooch you found in your grandmother’s closet, it’s definitely in. The use of floral was seen on every major designer’s runway during fashion week. From the hand painted gowns at Dolce and Gabbana, to the ethereal fairy tale prints at Prada. What could be better than a flirty floral chiffon dress for spring? It’s sexy, it’s feminine and très chic! So incorporate this romanticism into your spring wardrobe.

Borrowed From The Boys
Don' t take it too literally and start wearing oversized hoodies and baggy trousers. But the androgynous look is very now, and seen on the runways of Yves Saint Laurent, Helmut Lang, and Karl Lagerfeld, just to name a few. You don' t have to necessarily dress like a guy to get this look. Take it from Galliano at Dior- The show started off with a sleek pinstripe suit, followed by a number of menswear inspired looks, androgynous while remaining true to the ultra-femininity of the House of Dior. From smartly tailored suits to boycut blazers, the boyish look definitely made its mark this season.

ACCESSORIES
Drama, drama and more drama, in a good way of course. Accessories for this season are all about making a statement. Whether it be a chunky piece of costume jewelry, the "It" bag of the season, a dramatic accessory completes your look. Here are a few accessory trends for Spring.

The Big Bag
We all need big bags, bags big enough to knock your co-workers dead. For Spring, Marc Jacobs did some very controversial bags at Vuitton, in collaboration with artist Richard Prince. Controversial or not, these bags are huge! Not only are big bags appealing to the eye, they' re practical. It' s the perfect bag for work or school; you can fit your whole room in it, and even throw in your laptop. 

The Dramatic Clutch
The statement clutch is a must-have for Spring. At Fendi, the label' s signature Baguette was enlarged and transformed into huge pouchettes, adorned with beads and embroideries. Clutches make a really good day bag, or something to clutch around for lunch with your chic friends. If you' re planning to invest on a bag, a clutch wouldn' t be such a bad idea.

Le Broche Bijou
Nowadays, brooches aren' t just for your grandmamas. A nice brooch can be worn in various ways, and look extremely modern and chic. Scatter them like Tom Thumb' s colored stones. Chanel make gorgeous brooches, and they vary from enamel camellias to bejeweled CC logos. But better yet, dig through your grandmother' s dresser, you' ll be surprised with what you find. Be creative and don' t resist to try something new. One day you' ll find your cashmere cardigan with holes all over, because you won' t be able to stop pinning these beautiful gems onto it.

Way Up High
This season, shoes are all about height- Towering wedges, patchwork patent pumps, and bejeweled platforms, you name it. Miuccia Prada did some crazy tea-cup heels at Miu Miu, and the futuristic plexi runway shoe from Fendi are a couple of good examples. Yes they might not be the most practical shoes you can find, I mean let' s face it, who would want to trek around with club sandwich sized platforms? But it would be nice for that special occasion, or that romantic dinner date with your hubby. What wouldn' t a woman do to have their own fantasy shoe?

Photos courtesy of http://www.style.com and http://www.myprestigium.com