When I was a child growing up in a sleepy town in Mississippi, I would anticipate the emergence of the spring season. Around mid March, trees would begin to bring forth leaves and multihued flowers would clad the hills. I vividly remember the sweet aroma of honeysuckle tickling my nose and watching the busy bees as they doted on their hives. The very thought of spring would make my heart beam because I knew my favorite holiday, Easter, was quickly approaching.

Easter has always been a magical holiday, filled with traditions and fictitious symbols. My head would dance with whimsical descriptions that my grandfather illustrated through “Easter stories”. I imagined the Easter bunny laying rainbow colored eggs, then hiding them amongst the daffodils and tulips. On the eve of Easter, I would anticipate what the contents of my Easter basket would hold; perhaps a Matell Barbie doll or a Monopoly board game.Today, as I began to see ads for the new spring fashions, I realized there is an amusing correlation between my childhood memories of the Easter holiday and the latest spring trends.

One of the most identifiable symbols of the Easter holiday is the Easter egg. I can recall sitting around the kitchen table with bowls overflowing with colorful dye. After submerging the white shelled eggs into the coloring, vibrant eggs with orange, yellow, and green surfaces would appear like magic! This season, the rich tints of Easter eggs are reflected in several designers' collections.

Colors this spring are brighter. Spring crocus, rococo red, and snorkel blue are among the trendiest tones. Big and bold colors are seen in Carolena Herrara’s ruffle maxi and Diane Von Furstenberg’s glowing green floral print dress.  The market has been flooded with maxis jostling for space, including colorful looks by Stella McCartney, Gucci, Philip Lim, and LAMB, singer Gwen Stefani’s label.  

Easter Dress 

Shopping for one’s Easter dress to adorn on Easter Sunday was particularly important, but it would often be a long and daunting task. My favorite Easter dress was a beautiful lace embroidered organza skirt with a satin underskirt and tulle layer for added fullness. It was ornamented with three dimensional roses at the waistline and a satin sash with lace trim.

This season, to no avail, lace has held its position as the premiere accenting fabric for dresses. Chiffon’s high waisted lace dress with spaghetti straps is among the top spring necessities.The color of lace is no longer limited to white, it has grown to be the next colorful fashion trend. There is a variety of lace to choose from including gothic "widow" black lace, pastel rococo lace, and "vintage" lace in beige and gray shades.  It has also been used to accent the designs of Charles Nolan, Rodarte, and J. Mendel.

After my Easter dress was selected, my outfit was completed with a satin bow or a princess inspired headband. This season, hair accessories are still used to add the finishing touches to one’s ensemble. Whether it is hair bows, bands, ribbons, or hats, hair accessories are a must-have this spring.

I was the typical little girl  infatuated with make-up, high heeled shoes, and hair, but I was forbidden to experiment with my unruly mane. My hair styles were limited to pony tails or French braids, but to my delight on Easter Sunday I was allowed to wear my hair in Shirley Temple curls. This hair style got its name from the famed child star, Shirley Temple, whose trademark hair was worn in tightly spiraled curls. I truly adored her and her lovely locks.This season, coily, fluffly and crimped hair, similiar to that of Shirley Temple's, is the most sought after style. 

 Easter Bunny Lips 

 Most little girls have been caught red-handed dabbling in mommy’s cosmetic bag at least once. Lipstick was my favorite cosmetic. As a child, red lips reminded me of Lola Bunny, who was sexy, desirable, and all things feminine. My fondest memory was watching my mother apply lipstick in the mirror as I stood on my tip toes attempting to gain a better view. On Easter Sunday, If I was lucky, my mom would carefully paint my lips with her creamy pink Maybelline lipstick to match my Easter dress. Throughout the day I would refrain from eating, drinking, and licking my lips in an attempt to preserve my stained lips.

This spring, the most popular make-up trend is beautiful pink lips. In the past few seasons, the trend for lip color has been a bold red mouth, but recently pink became the dominating tone. During fashion week, many models sported pink pouts, including the gazelles prancing the Burberry catwalk. Wendy Rowe says, “It’s an easy look” that every woman can do. Pink lips can be worn by any woman, but you must know what your skin's undertones are (blue, red, yellow) and choose a shade of pink that best suits your coloring. Almay’s Hydracolor Pink Pearl, Bonne Bell’s Pink Smacker and Cover Girl’s Pink Chic are a few of the most striking lip shades. There is a pink lip color for every woman in the form she prefers, whether you prefer matte lipsticks or color-packed glosses, there's a plethora of products for you to choose from.  

Easter Shoes 

When I was six years old, high heeled shoes were the most womanly item you could wear. My Easter footwear was usually egg white, chunky heeled shoes, with a side clasp. I loved to hear the tapping of my shoes hitting the hard surface of the kitchen floor.  One moment I would pretend to be a tap dancer on Broadway and the next minute I was a supermodel on the runway. At church, despite the fact that my feet could not touch the floor, I loved crossing my legs and mimicing the women rocking their stylish pumps back and forth. Even as a child, I recognized how a great pair of shoes could make you feel flirty and feminine.

Currently, high heels are still viewed as the sexiest thing a woman could ever wear. This season, platform shoes have made a notable comeback. Platforms have been spotted stomping the catwalks of designers Diane von Furstenberg and Oscar De La Renta.If you need a lift, platforms are a practical investment. Actress Katie Holmes and various other celebrities have been rocking the stilted look this season. Steve Madden platforms are available in a variety of styles including pumps, boots, wedges, and stilettos.

Easter “Basket”

The week before Easter, my family and I would shop for Easter baskets. My choice was usually purple or pink to match my Easter dress. My friends and I would compete to see who would tote the prettiest basket on Easter Sunday. Surprising, not much has changed, what a woman carries is still an essential part of her outfit and color is a central element. As you may have seen, colorful handbags are a big hit this season. A brightly colored bag that pops like the creations in Marc Jacobs’ collection, will accent any outfit. Mischa Barton, a lover of the cherry red Judith Leiber bag can attest to this. Whether the bag is big or small, a burst of color is always a flattering addition.

Easter Egg Hunt

The Easter Egg Hunt was usually the concluding activity of the Easter Day. Once the cue was given, dozens of children ran frantically throughout the manicured lawn in hopes of collecting the finest eggs. Easter Egg Hunts are very similar to many of the blowout sales I have experienced at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. Women would race madly across the floor to snag the best deals on Cashmere sweaters and Fendelli pumps. And like the determined children hunting for eggs, many shoppers would partake in physical squabbles to retrieve the item of their choice.

Clearly, my childhood Easter memories were a template for the latest spring trends. The colors, fabrics, and styles of this season’s fashions truly reflect the spirit of Easter. Next year, when you are pondering what the spring trends will be, keep in mind the elements that comprise Easter, and you are sure to be “in” that season.