We all have our favorite looks, but with a few key ideas; you can put a fresh spin on your basic wardrobe.   These combinations of colors and silhouettes can give you an updated look without compromising your pocketbook.

• Whether for work or weekend, add a belt to a boyfriend sweater or blazer giving it a more polished look and showing off your waistline. Belts are huge this season, in all different widths, but must be worn on the true waist to be the trend.  (You can go for wide belts on a long torso, but skinnier belts should be worn with a shorter torso.)
• Make a statement with a tailored, yet casual suit this spring.  By keeping it relaxed but sophisticated, the unstructured suit gives you a natural polished look.
• Think bold with a pair of colored jeans.  Keep the look simple, but sexy, with a tissue-thin tee.  This bright combination is fun and can update your look.
• Compliment brightly colored pieces with a gleaming pair of gladiator sandals.  They are this season's must-have and a great look with shorter dresses for spring.
• If you have plenty of neutral colored pieces in your closet, you will liven up the entire outfit by adding a bright colored accessory.  Go for a bold splash of fuchsia, cobalt blue, yellow, or green to stand out among natural colors.
• Updating your wardrobe doesn't need to break the bank and can be done with one spectacular pair of bold shoes to wear with the basic colors already stocked in your wardrobe.   Go for any color in patent leather to animal or python-print flats to get you places this season.

From tribal prints to patched denim to exposed brassieres, we've uncovered all of the season's standout looks.

1.  Denim

With the 80’s coming back with a huge impact and designers fixated on youth, get ready to sport this trend.  It is all over the runways, from faded and frayed to the undeniably luxe of our favorite designers.  This all-American classic look of the “It” fabric is in jackets, dresses, and skirts--a casual but chic look of ripped, torn, or patched denim.  But if you’re still getting used to the idea, go for the look in your accessories, choose a chambray purse or the always popular ballet flats in denim.

 2.  Innerwear as Outerwear

Yes, you read it correctly, underwear as outerwear this Spring and Summer 2010.  The fashion shows are full of under things, like exposed corsets, and lace or sheer bra tops or silky pants and sheer paneled evening dresses. These see-through and sheer pieces are a mixture of the soft and feminine. Although popular with celebrities, this look is credited to designers’ new-again obsession with revealing sheers and lingerie.

3.  Draped Look

With easy draping, you can create a subtle sophisticated ‘You’.  Add skirts, dresses, or jumpsuits to your spring wardrobe with a look that flows. 

The trend towards jumpsuits and rompers may not be for everyone, but they offer more options than you think.   With a draped dress or especially a long dress with a high split, it will help emphasize your feminine form this season.

 4.  Pastels

We’re not talking about nude, because this time you have plenty of choices among dreamy colors of the palette.  Think more like ice cream color, peach, nutmeg, icy blue, tuscany, violet, coral, eucalyptus, and turquoise.  Yellow will be a most popular color during this season.  Even though white is the most preferred color for the springtime, yellow will often be seen everywhere.  Pastels, also, work perfectly fine with florals and ruffles.

 5.   Patterned or Floral Prints

Flowers are everywhere, which is a good thing because they emphasize a softer and more fluid silhouette that men particularly like about women.   All along the runways for spring are various patterns on our lower half…ranging from floral, abstract, striped, or subdued. These varieties are giving us new bold wardrobe options for the coming months.

 6.  Clogs

The real shoe news of the season is the reintroduction of the clog.  This modern clog with its stacked platform heel comes with everything from laces to pearls and camellias, in both open and closed toe options.  They have an earthy and boho vibe, and can be worn with anything from jeans and shorts to even casual, droopy dresses.

 7.  Tribal & Animal Prints or Safari

Get wild this season with leopard spots and tribal prints.  Everybody from Tory Burch to Dolce & Gabbana has these sexy patterns in their spring collection.  The collision of the military and tribal looks has become a fierce fashion trend.  With room for endless creativity, you can try everything from tribal earrings and statement necklaces to fringed dresses.  For a more balanced look, choose the safari trend with a khaki or beige and still the appropriate amount of confidence.

 8.   Icy Lucite

Think big.  Think bold.  We are talking about chunky jewelry that is lightweight and easy to wear.  These high impact pieces are made of Lucite, yes, the crystal clear strong plastic that can be molded and carved.  It first became popular in the 1940’s for ladies purses and jewelry.   Today, it’s cropping up everywhere from jewelry, watches and sunglasses to handbags and shoes. These necklaces can make such a statement, that it is really only necessary to wear one piece at time.  Their transparency make it a versatile and neutral accessory that pairs well with many of the spring trends, including the pastels or bold patterns, but adds a modern touch to florals and floaty dresses. Bangles are seen in all colors including a mod black and white, so the options are plentiful and in price ranges to fit everyone’s pocketbook.

Ruffles, bows, or lace….. No matter what color you are wearing, they can add romance to any outfit.    These frills seem to be the trend that keeps on giving! Ruffles, especially, are still as hot this season as they were last season, but they have been updated a little.

Designers are giving them to us longer and looser which is a modern version of what we are used to seeing.   These relaxed styles allow for non-perfect twists that can take us from the workplace to evening. They are not necessarily bold & busy, but some we would even call a smaller ruffle accent.   Whether they are structured ruffles (think geometric) or just sprinkled on shoes, belts, & handbags, it allows us to wear them daytime or evenings.

While our professional attire seems inspired by structured items that feel flat and sharp, we can add depth and the appearance of curves with folds and layers.  This addition of depth softens the typical office appropriate suit with the feel of femininity.

Even your casual cottons on the weekend can come to life with small details giving them flair.  These elements can be of various trim or texture which make them more interesting.

While the previous season’s styles were structured, spring is approaching with a more whimsical look including not only raw edges, but with layers of chiffon or lace.

These softer looks and muted hues, will give the appearance of sophistication, with the attention drawn to its whimsical details.

Special Feature:  Interview with Laura Gilsan

Ever wonder how the process of fashion design comes to life?  Recently, I had the chance to talk with a young aspiring designer who, in partnership with her best friend the technical sketch artist, has every intention of someday opening their flagship store in NYC.   Currently in their twenties, they have created Paperdoll maison de mode, what they consider “An Urban Fairytale”.

Shown on their Face book Info page, they passionately describe the purpose of their existence:  “Before the time of the department stores, celebrity fashion designers, online shopping, and factories mass producing cookie cutter couture, there was simply the designer and the consumer. Greed, power, and the love for money began to dampen their desire to produce quality fabrics and flawless original craftsmanship. So, a design duo felt they had to do everything in their power to salvage what they could for the art of fashion, thus creating the original Paperdolls.”

1-Where do you get your design inspiration?

“I get my inspiration from New York City. Every move in make, every idea I have is with NYC in mind and in heart. I also am inspired by color, music…”

2-Do you feel that your “formal” education (which is in advertising) helped     prepare you for this career or designing your own label?

“In terms of JUST the designing, no not really. My journey through education has led me to what I’m doing, however I don't think creativity and passion can be taught, it’s just something you posses. Some of today's greats like Marc Jacobs went to the best fashion schools in the world, but I know he possessed the talent prior to a Parsons education.”

3-Have you experienced working for a major apparel company?    If so, what would like to see companies improve on?

“I have, I worked for one whom fortunately, for them they are one of the top retailers in the world. They have a team of a hundred designers and manufacturer over-seas; they in particular, are doing fine. If I could change one thing, I would make it illegal for celebrities to design. It drives me crazy, because these days all you need is lots of money to hire a real designer and as long as their name is on it, buyers snatch it up. It breaks my heart!”

4-What do you wish people would understand about working in the fashion industry?

“That loving fashion is not loving shopping. Although they closely correlate, they are very different…That sometimes being the ‘bad guy’ is the only way things get done... People think that fashion is just pretentious over-paid people making expensive hand-bags...BUT fashion is art...its more than art because you wear it on your back.”

5-What is the most difficult aspect of running your own label?

“There have been a lot of difficult parts of starting this new venture. The most difficult has been starting it with my best friend of 13 years. It has put some serious strain on our friendship and our sanity. It’s hard to love something that not very many people respect, or care about. But when you see your garments go down a runway...none of that matters.”

6- What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion?
“Be careful what you wish for, and make sure you love FASHION not shopping. Be ready for everyone you love and respect to tell you it’s silly, or for them to say they don’t get it... The fashion industry as a whole is not nice sometimes!”

Currently, while also working for 303 Magazine, (a Denver Fashion . Culture . Style monthly magazine in print and online) they will shoot photos of their Spring/Summer line this weekend in preparation for its launch.  After debuting their initial line with a run way show on NYE, they recently sent the Paperdoll  ”look book” to NYC investors.  As they continue to work closely with people in the Denver area to help get them to NYC and with their dedication, hard work, and perseverance will help this dream become a reality.