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Red-Hot Spring
From sexy, colorful dresses and trim skirts to lace and bows, the season's styles burn up the runway
By Erinn Morgan

Fashion runs the gamut this season from lacy to sporty, in every color of the rainbow with basic black adding a touch of mystery as well. On the runway, looks played on details and thoughtful touches such as accessories. Shown here top to bottom: Valentino, BGBG Max Azria, Gucci, and adidas eyewear

Smoldering and sultry with a nod to vintage sophistication, the season's looks are unified into one, strong feminine front. Spring 2006 style is not for the shrinking violet, however. Looks range from a Pop Art palette in flowing dresses and wildly bold prints on blouses and swimsuits to curve-hugging pencil skirt suits and pure white lace dresses.  

Hold onto your hat—here are five trends that will drive the season, plus eyewear that complements the looks.

1. PLAYING DRESS-UP

They come in all shapes and sizes—from long, flowing tulle in Day-Glo colors to white cotton belted looks with handkerchief trim. The important point is to have at least one dress that suits the season.

The good news is this look moves seamlessly from work to evening and weekend wear. The shirtdress leads the charge—it is an easy look and is universally flattering (the belted waist gives a great shape). The beautiful drape of jersey knit dresses are also in vogue this spring—it is definitely the season of the dress.

Eyewear that complements this look is feminine, yet strong in shape and size. It ranges from vintage-inspired butterfly, round, and wrap shapes
in sunwear to intellectual, chunky rectangles.

2. LONG AND SHORT OF IT

Shorts are chic this season; they bring playful newness into day and eveningwear. Lengths vary wildly (as do color and cut) and include everything from short shorts to Bermudas.

Lean, long shorts get paired with ruffled, boldly printed tops. Shorter numbers get jazzed up with prints and paired with cropped jackets.

These looks are best paired with chunky platforms or flats for a fun, easy look.

Eyewear that suits this style is both sophisticated and playful—bold wraps with gradient lenses, oversized cat-eyes, and aviators hit the mark.

3. ALL LACED UP

It's not your grandmother's doily this time around. This season, the daintiness of lace, ruffles, and crochet take on a bolder look.

Dresses are fashioned entirely of white lace, ruffles skirt plunging decollete on blouses, and crochet adds dimension to long, flowing skirts. Flirty bows also make an appearance on waistlines, bustlines, and the backs of exit-worthy dresses.

Eyewear is equally flirty with feminine shapes like cat-eyes and butterflies in white and brown hues.

4. DAY-GLO TO PURE WHITE

Colors certainly run the gamut this season. Hot tints include neutrals, white paired with black or navy, and brights, including reds, blues, and corals. In fact, one of the biggest stories to emerge from the runway is that bold color is back. It comes in the hint of an accessory or the statement of a long, flowing dress.

Neutrals, sometimes punched up with a hint of gold sheen or overlaid with black lace, are also important.

Black, which made a comeback in Fall '05 ready-to-wear, charges on for spring, but is punched up with hints of colors—i.e., black shorts paired with a bright, floral blouse or a skinny suit mixed up with a striped polo.

Eyewear gets interesting here, with bold shapes that hold up in matching colors or contrasting colors like black or white.

5. LONG AND LEAN

From skinny pants and jeans to pencil skirts and long, flared dresses, the look is lengthening. One of the most ubiquitous trends is the thin pant, which shows up often paired with a cropped jacket. This look that mimics the trendsetting style of indie rockers definitely has its roots in rhythm. It is mixed up with ankle boots or flats to contrast the shorter pant lengths.

This trend is even making its way into menswear with suits featuring thin pants and short jackets.

Pencil skirts are also all the rage this season, and are mixed up with jackets or clean, tucked-in blouses (Note: The belt is a necessary accessory for this look). Dresses are another big hit and take to the floor in sweeping styles as well as long and flowing designs.

Spring eyewear this year runs the gamut. Wrapped plastics suit the hip, skinny pants look, while ladylike but oversized Jackie O styles complement the prim, pencil skirt style.

The Boy's Club

Men aren't left out in the cold this spring. Styles blend the modern and classic for a cool and elegant look. Shown here: Paul Smith

Like the ladies, men get dressed up in whites, neutrals, and skinny suits this season. In addition, menswear gets formal with the emergence of three-piece suits. Other notable trends include trench coats, boldly printed shirts, suede shoes, polos, and cardigans. The sweater set need not dig in their grandfather's stash—today's cardigan is fitted and fresh in stripes and graphic prints.

Eyewear is equally as bold for the boys. Styles range from severely wrapped plastics and sophisticated aviators with leather trim to oversized, chunky eyewear.