Spring Trends Coming Soon

With the last runway show under wraps in the Fall 2011 New York fashion week, the best of the Spring 2011 ready-to-wear fashion trends will soon start to arrive at the local boutiques in Mountain View.

The cool thing about trends is that you don't have to spend a fortune to get the same effect. For now, Fall 2010 trends such as lace and sparkles will continue to dominate the market but they better make room for some some new looks.

Here's a cheat sheet about what to look for to be stylish this spring.

Plaids. Prints. Polka Dots.

So it's still cold, rainy and February but you can transition to spring with plaids. Grab that pleated skirt you hid in the closet and mix-n-match it with another plaid, a print or polka dots. This will take some skills to combine the right colors, avoid a clash and not over due it but it's totally possible. Pick the most vibrant color (like a red or a yellow) and use it to bring the two fabrics together.

Check out this combination from Versus, Versace's ready-to-wear, Spring 2011 runway show (or this one) for a clue of how to make it work and see if you can find the right stuff at on Villa Street. Here's an example from Cynthia Rowley of a plaid pattern that could work with a polka dot print and this one checkered piece from Vivienne Westwood that has Bay Area written all over it.

Spring is always a perfect time to bring out the prints. This season however, is not just about floral but also block prints. Big blocks, little blocks, blocks that connect or blocks that are links. Head to and see if you can replicate this fabulous Versace look or this one from Armani.

Barely Nude.

Another trend--which you can use to subdue the powerful plaids, prints and polka dots--are the neutral color palettes of nude and blush pink tones. Everything from shoes to pencil skirts have strutted down the runways this Spring 2011 year. See how Oscar de la Renta pairs this nude top with a floral pencil skirt or maybe you can pull off this Alexander Berardi one piece. Here's a No. 21 shirt and shoe combination. This is going to be a hot one come summer time. Head to or , both on Castro to find the right nude or pink, top, bottom or shoe.

It's about the look AND feel.

Another trend for a fabulous spring style is texture, lots and lots of texture. Whether that is ruffles or fabric flowers, designers continue to find ways to enhance their pieces with a little dimension. Remember sometimes less is more, like in this cute one piece from BCBG Max Azria and a wonderfully classic aquamarine pencil skirt from Oscar de la Renta.

Stay in touch as we will cover these trends as they hit the stores and streets of Mountain View.