Credits: Directed by Tracy Fuad. Photography by Bryan Young. Modeling by Sally Eidman, Naadia Owens (full disclosure: She formerly wrote for NbN) and Johnson Vaughn Brock. Apparel from Francesca’s Collections at 1706 Maple Avenue and Untitled at 1812 Church Street. Shoes from William’s Next Door, located at 706 Church. Makeup by Benefit, located at 1625 Sherman.

Drinks

A tasty mango daiquiri can add some sugar to your fake summer. Photo by rian0306 on Flickr, licensed under the Creative Commons.

Ignore the chilly weather, turn up the heater in your apartment and keep chugging your favorite summer drinks. Light, summery drinks aren’t limited to June, July and August: instead of Irish Coffees and Peppermint Schnapps, mix a mojito or daiquiri. The flashback to warmer days will help you forget the misery that awaits outside.

Blue Bombshell
Lemonade-flavored drinks go out of style once the summer days disappear. For a refreshing taste combined with enough Red Bull to keep you awake through your boring Presidential Debate Drinking Game pre-game, make this tasty blueberry-flavored drink.

2 parts Red Bull
1 part blueberry-flavored vodka
1 part lemonade

Mango Daiquiri
It may be chilly outside, but daiquiris are a time-honored favorite. Mask the flavor of rum with tasty mango chunks, which will bring back the sweet smell of summers past.

.5 part orange liqueur
2 parts dark rum
6 parts mango chunks
3 parts sweet and sour mix
Combine ingredients in blender.

Kokomojito
Kevin Ethridge, the bartender and manager at Bar Louie, recommends this summery mojito with pineapple juice.

Muddle mint leaves, fresh limes and pineapple slices
Add ice and pineapple juice
Combine with pineapple-flavored rum (Ethridge recommends Cruzan)
Shake ingredients and add soda water

Sex

True but unfortunate fact: People are less likely to have sex in winter. When the oppressive shadow of Seasonal Affective Disorder shines down upon you, chances are solid you’ll eat more, go out less, and yes, have sex less. Good news! Sex makes you happy. Or more specifically: semen makes you happy. So sure, you could wait out the season cramped in your dorm room, staring out the window at the grey clouds and hoping Mr. (or Mrs.) Right comes strolling into the room. But you could also step outside your comfort zone and hunt down Mr. Right For Now. Don’t let the dreary weather get you down: recall the carefree, breezy summer attitude and worry about having fun, not the future. In the end, making the effort will make you happier.

Your attitude shouldn’t be the only thing bringing back memories of summer flings past. Skip the stereotypical fall dates (ice-skating, pumpkin painting, movies, watching television shows in your dorm) and make an effort to bring the sun inside. Make a picnic and spread a blanket on your living room floor. Throw on your swimsuit (underneath a heavy coat, of course) and make your way to SPAC for open swimming hours.

Already in a relationship? The drudgery of the colder months can quickly cause a good relationship to ice over – which explains why January is National Break-Up Month. It’s natural to fall into a routine, but make an effort to keep the relationship fresh.

Health

Fall brings a multitude of nasty diseases. Without the proper protection, you may find yourself awash in a sea of acute viral nasopharyngitis and influenza. With chilly air meaning less impetus to hike all the way to SPAC, your immune system is already running on empty. Megan Campbell, university dietitian, says that even moderate daily activity boosts your immune system by increasing the number of disease-fighting cells. Exercise fights fall fat, boosts your mood and fights disease–so if you can’t make the hike to a gym three times a week as recommended, at least walk to the frat quad instead of taking the shuttle.

Every student should take a daily multivitamin, which “acts as insurance, making sure that you get the vitamins and minerals that you cannot get from food,” particularly if their diet is imbalanced, Campbell said. If you have special dietary requirements, such as lactose intolerance or vegetarianism, you may need more of certain vitamins. To find out exactly which vitamins you should be taking, Campbell recommends visiting a dietitian or doctor.

Food

Host a tailgate party in your room. Even if you don’t attend the actual game—not everyone appreciates football—fire up the grill, open the Tostitos and stock your fridge with beer for a party that would make George Foreman proud. Speaking of Mr. Foreman—his grills are (ahem) banned in university housing, but apartment-dwellers can toast up fall with a cheap portable grill, available for as little as $20 on Craigslist, or an indoor grill.

Invite a few friends over, deck yourselves in purple and cheer on the Wildcats. Football not your sport? Northwestern participates in several fall sports whose games are under-attended, including squash, water polo, fencing and men’s soccer.

Unfortunately, popular fruits such as strawberries, melons and peaches are no longer in season. Fruits are a generous source of vitamins in the summer, but don’t allow your intake of nutrient-rich foods to drop. Campbell recommends increasing your intake of pumpkin, squash, kale, pomegranate juice and apples, which all provide a variety of nutrients that can keep your immune system stable. Feel free to take this as an excuse to load up on pumpkin pie.

Fashion

Layer your summer clothes to survive the winter. Photo by Helga Lobster Stew on Flickr, licensed under the Creative Commons.

Your closet may be a colorful menagerie of colors, designs and sounds at the beginning of the year, but as the fall quarter begins the desire to dress up and accessorize—particularly for class—diminishes. But there’s evidence out there that taking the time to look nice can offset a bad mood. According to the London College of Fashion, taking some time to throw on some makeup can lift your spirits.

When the days are darker, harsher and colder, Seasonal Affective Disorder can seem an oppressive force. Your first line of defense should not be succumbing to slum; wear jeans and a nice top to class instead of pajamas and Uggs. If taking the time to do your makeup can amplify your mood, don’t hesitate to set aside an extra fifteen minutes to match your shirt and shoes.

Color matters. Colors can drastically affect your mood. Psychologists have discovered that certain colors can affects mood, which is a study you can definitely apply to your daily life. Yellow is generally considered a cheerful color; red a passionate one. Dressing in bright colors can cheer you up, and potentially even affect the mood of those around you.

To keep feeling summery year-round, don’t toss out your sleeveless dresses and shorts as soon as the temperature hits 60. Matched with a dark pair of tights or a cool cardigan, your summer wardrobe can be worn year-round. Add these stunning staples to your closet to achieve year-round chic: boots, slick jackets, long-sleeved tees, thin coats, cardigans and lots of pairs of tights.

You may have just started to dig into your pile of jeans and hoodies, but for those in the fashion realm, the fall season is already passé. New York’s Spring 2009 Fashion Week just ended and a whole new set of trends has sprung, so to speak. Here is a breakdown of the styles strutted on the runways in New York, with tips to help you incorporate these latest trends into your current wardrobe.

Heaven on Earth: Floaty, airy fabrics ruled spring runways as silk, organza, jersey and gazar replaced the heavy knits of fall. While these light fabrics showcased the best of the growing transparency trend, they aren’t the most practical for Evanston’s frigid winters. Plus, showing off your latest Victoria’s Secret purchase might not be the best way to impress your new prof. Save the sheer top for the Keg and try pairing a long-sleeved ruffled blouse with jeans for daytime.

The Body: The volume seen in seasons past has given way to a more body-conscious silhouette, with Cynthia Rowley, Luca Luca, Thakoon and others favoring a long, lean look. Try on a pencil skirt to create a demure interview outfit, or go the sexy secretary route and wear a body-hugging sheath or tube dress for your next girl’s night out.

Jumping In: Most of us haven’t donned a jumpsuit since the Care Bears were cool, but everyone from Michael Kors to Alexandre Herchcovitch featured this look last week. Styles ranged from long to short, but these onesies all used the pajama-type fabrics seen in other spring ensembles. Embrace your inner Hugh Hefner and pair one of these silk numbers with a belt and heels for a more figure-flattering look.

Muted colors stand out against jewel tones. Photo by smittenkittenorig on Flickr, licensed under the Creative Commons.

A Leg Up: Two styles of pants dominated spring runways: the skinny and the harem. This season’s skinnies were literally skin-tight, while the harem, a baggier style gathered at the waist and ankles, presented a more comfortable option. Europeans have rocked the billowy pants for some time, but only time will tell if the American crowd will embrace it. For a more wearable version, don a pair of baggy boyfriend jeans rolled up at the bottom, a la Katie Holmes.

Seeing the Light: When Marc Jacobs debuted his Fall ‘08 collection, the refined shapes and pastel palette had the fashion set perplexed. To love or not to love? Judging by the Spring ‘09 shows, Jacobs’ muted colors were still on the minds of many. White, cream, light gray, blue and pink were the colors of choice for many designers, including Erin Fetherston, Brian Reyes and Project Runway alum Christian Siriano. Try a powder blue coat or scarf for contrast against fall’s deep purples and reds.

Black is Back: The explosion of flower power that dominated last spring and fall has finally fizzled. Designers like Narciso Rodriguez and Proenza Schouler ditched the girly prints, showcasing hard-edged black-and-white graphic styles. Their grittiness added to a bondage trend, with zippers and leather galore. You can bring the dominatrix out of the bedroom with a leather jacket or a zip-front dress (no whip required).

While copious amounts of shampoos, conditioners, face scrubs and body soaps fill the aisles of CVS, it is quite possible that the incomprehensible ingredients listed on the back of the bottle came from nuclear waste. Behentrimonium chloride? Hydroxyethyl palmitamide? Seriously?

Placing blind faith in cosmetics companies seems risky these days, especially after reports of lead-containing lipstick and companies fighting laws that mandate reporting cancer-causing chemicals. Instead of wasting your time wondering what potentially dangerous chemicals you are lathering on your body, try these homemade beauty items, guaranteed to contain natural, non-toxic ingredients that can be found in any kitchen or grocery store.

Soften your skin

What you need:

• Natural or raw sugar
• Olive oil
• Honey
• Lemon or orange juice

Benefit Boutique proprietor Christian VanBrimmer recommends this sugar scrub for dry face or skin. If you’re using it on the body, mix olive oil with sugar until you achieve a liquid, grainy consistency. For the face, add small amounts of olive oil, honey and lemon juice for a scrub that is “super easy, super fabulous and super simple,” VanBrimmer said.

Diminish your pores

What you need:

• Honey
• Egg whites

If your pores resemble tiny donuts, use this mixture to minimize their appearance. Separate the white from the egg, and mix in a spoonful of honey. Apply the mixture evenly to your face. Once it has dried, use cold water to remove it. Repeat every two weeks to reduce pore size and even out skin tone.

Rejuvenate your hair

What you need:

• Olive oil
• Honey
• Plastic bathing cap
• Shampoo

Mix two tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey into a plastic bag. Place the bag into a cup of hot water. Once the mixture is warm, massage it into your hair and cover your head with a plastic cap. After 15 minutes, shampoo your hair as normal. This hot oil treatment will restore your hair and leave your locks light and shiny.

Exfoliate your face

What you need:

• Milk
• Salt

In a bowl, thoroughly mix a half cup of milk and a half teaspoon of salt. Use a cotton ball to dab the mixture over the forehead and face. Leave it on for two to three minutes and re-apply. After the mixture is dry, rub your face in circular motions and then rinse. The salt exfoliates dead cells and the milk nourishes the skin, giving it a brighter and fresher sheen.

Deep-condition your hair

What you need:

• Avocado
• Mayonnaise
• Olive oil
• Plastic shower cap

Place a peeled, cored avocado, a quarter to half cup of mayonnaise (depending on hair length), and two tablespoons of oil in a bowl. Mix until smooth. Apply the mixture to your hair as you would conditioner and place a shower cap over your head. Let it sit in your hair for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse the mixture off in the shower. This recipe will deep-condition your hair and make it strong and smooth.

Remove your hair’s excess product build-up

What you need:

• Water
• Vinegar

After repeated use, debris from hair products can build up at the roots of your hair, weakening it and preventing it from reaching its full potential. Combine one cup of water with a quarter cup of vinegar. After shampooing and conditioning, use this to rinse your hair to eliminate build-up.

Exfoliate your elbows and knees

What you need:

• Ground coffee
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Olive oil

Mix a quarter cup of olive oil and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, mix a half cup of coffee grinds with a cup of sugar. Combine the two mixtures and blend them into a paste. Soften skin under warm water for five to ten minutes, and massage the scrub in small circles on dry or rough skin, and follow with a shower gel.

Note: Do not use this scrub on your face or any broken skin. Use once a week, unless you have particularly dry skin — then use it twice a week.

Other quick-fix remedies

Tea bags: VanBrimmer recommends using chamomile tea bags to de-puff the eye area. After brewing tea, place the used tea bags in the refrigerator and place them over the eyes the next morning.

Fresh fruits: Fruits, particularly strawberries, can be mashed and applied to the face to brighten the complexion.

Ice cubes: Combine one part milk with three parts water, and freeze; cover the frozen cube in a cloth, and rub that over your face to tighten pores and alleviate sunburns.

Cucumbers: They’re a quintessential beauty product, but deservingly so: Place a sliced cucumber over the eye for ten minutes to reduce undereye bags.

All-natural product lines

If you still prefer to buy your beauty products at the store, consider buying all-natural, chemical-free beauty products. Stella McCartney’s makeup line is all-natural and vegan, and Bare Escentuals is a mineral makeup line with no preservatives.

Photos by Tom Giratikanon and Tracy Fuad / North by Northwestern.

1. It’s in the Bag: According to the American Chiropractic Association, women shouldn’t carry around more than 10% of their body weight in their bags—a hard pill to swallow for women who are willing to throw their back out for the chicness of a Muse purse. The rise of Marc’s Stam bag, Chloé’s Paddington, and most recently D&G’s oversized patent tote (which measures in at 19.75″x21.5″x8.5″) are recipes for misalignment, availing their carriers room for laptops, books and magazines on top of the standard supply of makeup, cash and personal electronics. Trendsetters should avoid these bags given their status not only as back breakers, but as bank breakers too.

2. Pass the Smell Test: Makeup giant Elizabeth Arden may have some reformulating to do on its surprisingly dangerous Red Door perfume. According to Jezebel, a woman was robbed by a man who she found lying in the street. Using the next best thing to Mace, the woman doused him with Red Door. The perfume was noxious enough to send him running. Word to the wise: In areas where pepper spray is illegal and there’s no department store counter in sight, Axe body spray may have the same effect.

3. Tough as Old Boots: Dominico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s D&G line featured sharp boots in their punk-inspired spring 2006 collection. These lethal kicks keep with D&G’s theme of pain — their signature corset dress pays homage to the very symbol of oppressive fashion. It figures that Dolce & Gabbana would arm its customers with these studded boots: they’ll need something to help them fend off the entranced men who can’t resist a girl clothed in the Italian label’s garb. Backstage at the show, model Lily Donaldson, who walked in the boots on the runway, showed off her sadistic side.

[See post to watch Flash video]

4. On the Loose: Thankfully, UFO pants have gone somewhat out of style. From concealing weapons to the occasional escalator mishap, oversized pants have come under fire by some schools concerned about safety. According to city officials in Dallas, baggy pants are a serious enough threat to launch a billboard campaign against the anti-fashion. But don’t be so quick to disregard: remember the near fate of the hero in that remake of The Hills Have Eyes? He was almost gobbled up after tripping over his baggy britches.

5. Dig in Your Heels: After a rash of shoe-induced injuries in Britain last summer, well-heeled women everywhere can rest easy knowing that stilettos really live up to their namesake. In one case, a Glasgow prostitute broke the facial bones of a 70-year-old man after she jumped on him with her heels. In another case, a newly married couple’s first fight turned ugly when the bride hit her new husband over the head with her shoe. The groom sought out help while holding a bloody towel to his head. However, fashion felonies aren’t just limited to Britain. Last June, a fight between two gay and lesbian gangs from Maryland turned ridiculous (but fitting) when someone whipped out a stiletto. But these pump pummelings don’t come without consequence. When the other shoe dropped, one attacker was sentenced to six years in jail.

From badly bent bag ladies to a groom under his wife’s heel, these fashion victims don’t take the destructive quality of clothes lightly. But as D&G reminds us: they can forget comfort—people are still willing to suffer for fashion.

Winter favorite: Boots

While Uggs are inappropriate for spring, leather or suede boots can make an appearance in spring outfits on cooler days. Pair such boots with a floaty cotton dress or skirt, but leave out the winter tights. A chunky or stiletto heel boot will clash with the rest of your outfit, so make sure the boots are flat. I recommend riding boots.

Photo by lebonbonmulticolore on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Winter favorite: Knit berets

This winter, they saved you on bad hair days and gave you an excuse to speak in a French accent. So why stop wearing them? Knit berets look great with a wool coat and a light bohemian dress. In fact, there are few outfits in which the knit beret is out of place.

Winter favorite: Scarves

While they may be unnecessary now, the changing of the seasons has not stopped scarves from looking damn good. Scarves can still be great in a spring outfit, but leave the chunky knit wool scarf in the closet for now. Instead, pile a woven cotton or silk scarf over a springy dress or top. Feel free to adjust the weight of the scarf according to the temperature.

Winter favorite: Tights

Though your arms may be bare now, there’s no need to ban your tights to the back of the sock drawer just yet. Tights still make short dresses and skirts classier, and can be a temporary remedy to those pale legs you’ve been hiding all winter.

Winter favorite: Oversize Sweaters

What you used to wear with pants and a coat, you can now wear as a dress. Try to have it cover your derriere, but as long as your big, comfy sweater at least skims your hips in length, it’ll work as a sweater dress. Just add leggings, flats, and perhaps a belt if the sweater is too sack-like.

Volume and frills were both turned up a notch (or five) at the Comme des Garçons show. The show opened with a scarlet tulle explosion in the form of a belly shirt, and later on a sculptural white dress was made to look all the more voluptuous with black gridded taping.

Issey Miyake’s dark, delicate collection worked mainly with a base of black lace and leather, offset with splashes of red. Unfortunately, the half-shorts, half-pants bottoms were more remniscent of Compton gangs than couture.

Playing on cultural clichés of fashion, Jeremy Scott showed a red velvet drapery dress (complete with tassels and curtain rod), a green topcoat printed to look like a one-dollar bill, and a white tablecloth dress that extended out horizontally from the hips, turning the model’s torso into a supper centerpiece. Scott left fashion editors wondering after the show where he hid all the real clothes.

But where are the real clothes? Photo by Peter Duhon on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Marc Jacobs and John Galliano haven’t exactly been getting along since Jacobs and his personal trainer were overheard talking shit about Galliano. They must really be on fine speaking terms now, since Galliano lifted the theme of his show, “Arabian Nights”, from Jacobs’ holiday bash. Somehow, though, not even the half-naked models set in the back of the stage can compare to Jacobs’ camel toe costume. Yikes.

Maison Martin Margiela has recently become something of a sensation, but this season’s silhouettes take power dressing to new heights. Super-square dickies turned into overblown censor bars, and elevated-neckline boatneck jackets made models look like woollen Dixie Cups with heads floating inside.

Viktor & Rolf’s last show may have been about marching to the beat of one’s own drummer—each model had her own runway music, and her dress was strung up in her own private lighting rig. This season was just as rhetorical, with models sporting garments that literally spelled out “NO”, “DREAM ON”, and “WOW”. Viktor & Rolf said it was about refusing to conform to fashion, not the no-means-no reference, circa Essential NU, that immediately comes to mind. Still, there’s something ironic about a model in a furry-armed Sasquatch jacket with “NO” written across her face.

Vivienne Westwood paid homage to the Amazonian models of the late ’80s in a jungle-themed show. Models—two of them towering over the audience on stilts—sported frocks and suits that were as much safari as circus.

Rick Owens had a particularly tame show in Paris— at least relative to the surrounding showdown. Most models wore leather or wool garments that substituted zippers for seams. He turned leather bell bottoms into leg capes while emphasizing the waist and hips. Other than that, though, only one look paid homage to his fellow avant-garde designers: A fur coat in the style of Jean Paul Gaultier’s cone bra, placing two thick tails right at the boobs. Flattering. Really, really flattering.

Weinberg senior Monica Boen

Monica Boen: I study biology and international studies; I’m going to be a doctor. I’d like to open my own firm or work at a clinic. I probably want to move to a coast; California, maybe. I’ll probably have to change my look up a little — less clothing. I’m looking forward to that.

NBN: You’re looking forward to wearing less clothing?

MB: Oh, no, just being able to wear shorts and skirts and heels more often. I’m from Chicago, so I’m used to this. You’re kind of limited in your fashion options here.

NBN: Tell me about your style.

MB: I guess it changes. When I feel like I want to go out or look good, I like satin and shiny things. I like to wear skinny jeans, boots — but definitely they can’t have heels, because I’m kind of tall, so I can never wear them. On campus, I just like plain black coats and boots, jeans and a nice top. Plus, I love big, wavy hair.

NBN: Do you follow fashion?

MB: A lot of times I look at things online. I get Glamour online. I like to look at celebrity pictures in People magazine. You get to see what’s in and not. I guess a lot of times it’s celebrity influence, which is kind of weird. I follow people who look like me, or have the same skin tone. So I guess I like to see what Jessica Alba wears. And I like the Mary Kate and Ashley look, where it’s like very loose and nothing really fits well. But I just like to have fun with clothes.

NBN: Tell me about what you’re wearing.

MB: I’m wearing skinny jeans from Urban. Tall boots, which I got in Paris. This shirt is from Express. Jewelry is from Paris. They’re all pretty affordable on a student budget.

NBN: You’re so international.

MB: That’s right: international, baby.

When Klymaxx dropped Biba’s name in the group’s 1984 hit “The Men All Pause,” they may not have had these recent looks in mind. Biba’s collection payed plenty of homage to ’80s power dressing, but a sharply angled shoulder apparently wasn’t enough for designer Bella Freud. Most models sported dark fezzes that awkwardly echoed the shape of the garments.

Unbridled volume has been a key theme for the last few seasons. But now as designers are moving back to more feminine silhouettes, someone should tell Armand Basi that the referent is the hourglass, not the lava lamp.

Runway walking expert and America’s Next Top Model superstar J. Alexander (Miss J) can’t emphasize the importance of posture enough. So models at the Basso & Brooke show would have made him proud: The designers suited models with tumorous, egg-shaped headdresses to balance on their heads, accompanying the already-bizarre patterns and shapes of their collection.

The Rainbow Fish made its fashion week debut at the Christopher Kane show, where models sported garments littered with scaly, oversized sequins. The effect was a look like a pearlescent disco ball, probably with its noise to match.

Meanwhile, the mother ship landed at the Gareth Pugh show, where painted-up models showed futuristic and often times furry ensembles. The absurdity began with a blouse and circle skirt seemingly made from rubber floor mats. Then it was full steam ahead through furry boxing gloves, pointy martian-like hats, alluring origami coats done in leather, and one male model’s goat-hair bolero, which extended his shoulders a good six inches from his frame. Somehow, though, the clothes could not detract from the ghostly faces of the models, who were painted white and given primary blue accents.

More pompom coats from Giles Deacon, but this time it’s more about the texture of a Chia Pet than focused on a silhouette. The more remarkable feat here was a pink number that somehow managed to make model Lily Donaldson look like she has hips.

House of Holland pretty much summed up its importance to the fashion world last year when Henry Holland showed shirts that shouted “ONE-TRICK PONY.” His other T-shirts — the ones that featured cheeky, rhyming phrases about fashion icons — were ripped off by everyone from Teen Vogue to Urban Outfitters. Maybe he should have just stuck to what he knows best, given that he closed his fashion week show with model Agyness Deyn (surprise!) wearing a J.Crew-does-Pirates of the Caribbean tartan eye patch. And plaid antlers.

Betsey Johnson’s collection came back to haunt me in the form of Luella Bartley’s show, where models were styled with crimped, frazzled-looking hair. As if she was predicting her own criticism, the show opened with a look topped off with a witch’s hat.

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood is credited with “inventing” the punk look back in the ’70s. Unfortunately, she’s still creating fashion anarchy in the UK — even though I want her to be sedated.

Bright colors are in. Can you handle it? Photo by Universal Project on flickr, licensed under the Creative Commons.

Color

Ditch your lackluster winter clothing in favor of this season’s sorbet-toned colors. Deep jewel tones go great with winter pallor, but for spring try an upgrade to brighter tangerines, pinks and yellows. Bright oranges and hot pinks took center stage at the Gianni Versace show. However, to avoid looking like an 80s music video, wear your most colorful tops with dark denim.

If this season’s bright colors are too daring for your style, try the sweetheart approach and go with purple. As one of this season’s favorite colors, purple — specifically lavender — is a great way to add a feminine touch to your wardrobe.

Black and white will never go out of fashion. Update this classic look for spring by mixing with bold or floral patterns.

Patterns

No more block prints! Spring 2008 is all about splashy colors and bold prints. The crazier, noisier and clashier the pattern, the better.

Floral patterns are no longer limited to your grandma’s closet. What better way to celebrate the end of winter than with flowers on your shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, dresses, belts, purses or shoes (whew!)? Dolce and Gabbana and Nanette Lepore definitely went after this look for spring.

Curvy girls beware: Stripes are back. This often-dreaded pattern, infamous for making things appear larger than they really are, has returned with a vengeance. Vertical and horizontal, wide and skinny, stripes are everywhere. If you decide to brave this trend, know that the fatter the stripe, the fatter you will appear.

Other popular styles

Even if you’re not planning a trip to the African Sahara, you still might want to invest in some safari gear. Don’t go crazy with the khaki, but a few safari-inspired pieces (like a khaki skirt or shirt dress) will keep you looking trendy. Alexander Wang rocks this trend in his spring collection.

The hippies are making a comeback. Their peasant- and bohemian-themed clothing falls right into line with the bold print and floral trends of the season. But we still don’t know for certain whether or not this means that hippies plan to take over the world.

Another beautiful but deadly trend this season is shiny fabric. Satin appears to be the designers’ preferred material for pulling this look off. Satin, however, is very unforgiving, especially on the curvy and large-busted, and can show every bump and line of your bra. Try this look with a proper fit and some control-top undies.

Pants

Ladies, rejoice! Start retiring your unflattering skinny jeans: This season, designers have declared that wide-leg and high-waisted pants will rule. No stilettos, though; pair these pants with a stacked heel.

Skirts

Always a classy choice, pencil skirts get the nod from fashion designers for spring. To properly show off your feminine curves, make sure your skirt hits just above your knee.

Pair your floral and peasant tops with a full skirt this season. If your top has a bold pattern, try to keep your skirt a bit more neutral. This works in reverse too. Accentuate a solid-color top with a bold-patterned skirt.

Dresses

Babydoll dresses are out. Trapeze dresses are in. Straight from the runway, trapeze dresses are an elegant option for an evening out. Wear a statement bracelet to really make this outfit stand out.

Sheath dresses can either look really good, or really, really bad. To ensure your spot in the first category, make sure the sheath (or shift) dress fits you properly. Otherwise you’ll look like you’re wearing a, probably expensive, potato sack. Definitely make sure the hem hits above your knees. Consider cinching your waist with a belt to give yourself a more feminine silhouette.

In response to the wrap dress’s huge success, designers favored the shirt dress this spring. There are a ton of variations on this trend: safari shirt dresses, army shirt dresses and bold-color, sleeveless shirt dresses. Just make sure your shirt dress has a belt to highlight your waist.

Shoes

Sculptural heels bring the runway’s haute couture fashion to us common folk this spring. Throw your black pumps in the back of your closet and make room for this season’s modern, artistic heels. In particular, Sergio Rossi introduced some inspired designs for platforms this season. Though some of these shoes look perilous for the everyday trek around town, they make a high-fashion statement.

Off Russell Crowe’s feet and onto ours, gladiator sandals are in this season. Comfortable and versatile, these shoes come in a variety of colors, and they work well with floral-print clothing.

Platform heels are a must to balance out this season’s wide-legged trousers. Keep your eye out for the hot wooden heels that will start stepping out this spring.

Outerwear

As the weather gets a little warmer and you begin to abandon your full-length down coats, try a
cropped jacket for this spring. For the brave, buy a jacket in a bold color, like pink or green.

Accessories

Large statement pieces are showing up in jewelry boxes everywhere. Statement bracelets, necklaces or earrings are great — just not all at once. Bulgari has some beautiful statement necklaces that you can dream about.

Any handmade jewelry, especially in bright colors, will be very fashionable this season. Unfortunately, the macaroni necklace you made for your mom in third grade should probably still stay at home.

Ethnic jewelry, particularly stacked bangles, will look great with this season’s other trends where Asian, African and South American-inspired jewelry is coming into vogue. The more ethnic-looking, the better. Etro took this theory to heart with their new collection.

Turn in your tiny, drab-looking clutches. Spring 2008 is all about textured, oversized clutches. Again, go for bold colors and funky styles like Salvatore Ferragamo did in his spring collection.

Happy shopping!