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That special time of year, beloved among college students everywhere, is rapidly approaching: Spring break.
Combined with the lovely weather we’ve been having recently, spring break beckons CU students to shed heavy layers of coats and sweaters and transition to warmer weather apparel. Whether you’re traveling to exotic locales, road tripping across the U.S., visiting family, or simply staying in Boulder, the break offers a great opportunity to try out some bright, bold new spring fashion trends.
This spring, try out some brightly colored floral patterns as well as some other styles. (CU Independent Photo Illustration/Robert R. Denton)
One of the most exciting trends to experiment with is color. Let the more subdued winter shades give way to the vibrant hues of spring. Every year, the color experts at Pantone select a “color of the year,” meant to influence fashion and interior design. 2012’s chosen color is Tangerine Tango. If you are prepared to fully embrace this deep, vivacious hue consider a solid colored dress, skirt, or shirt in the bright reddish-orange. If you’re not quite ready for an entirely red-orange ensemble, try a few small pops of the hue in the form of accessories. A colorful tangerine scarf could spice up a simple t-shirt and jeans combo. If you’re feeling daring, try a pair of bright red-orange pumps. Or try infusing some tangerine into your beauty routine in the form of nail polish or lipstick.
According to a popular fashion magazine Marie Claire, another spring color trend is neon. Don’t be afraid to pair these highlighter-bright colors with each other. Blue and yellow, for example, make for a particularly eye-catching duo. Try combining a neon skirt with a neon shirt to make for a glowing ensemble. Or go the alternate route and pair neon jeans with a plain white or black t-shirt. The juxtaposition will make the bright color stand out in all its glory.
Harper’s Bazaar reports that another lively spring trend is bold patterns. Large, colorful florals bring to mind tropical islands, reflecting the transition into warmer weather. If florals are too girly for you, try geometric patterns, which were also popular in many spring 2012 collections. The straight lines and shapes offer a structured alternative to the more organic shapes of flowers.
If you’re looking for something a little more unique, there’s another option: Bird prints. Birds have recently been a staple in the world of interior design and now Elle reports that they’ve moved into the fashion scene as well. A cute sundress adorned with birds would be a perfect representation of spring.
The bold, colorful trends don’t have to just apply to clothing. Spring can also be a good time to consider some new beauty routines. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut after you get used to a certain product, but now is the time to experiment. Try a bright, shocking new shade of eyeshadow or nail polish to jazz up any outfit. Or switch to a new perfume for the season that reflects the blossoming spring flowers in the form of floral scents.
Whether you’ll be jetting off to the tropics or simply enjoying all that Colorado has to offer, take a hint from the latest fashion trends: be bold, colorful, and vibrant this spring.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Karyssa Cox at Karyssa.cox@colorado.edu.
