The thermometer is rising and the greenery is alive with photosynthesis. Though this winter was unseasonably mild, spring is making a comeback once again. Students are digging through their closets to pull out their best spring clothes. While runway fashion may be out of realm for Ball State students, students will want to incorporate key trends into their spring wardrobe.
Freshman apparel design major Tyler Grube wears runway-inspired looks without the cost by cutting high-waisted jeans from thrift stores into shorts.
"I like shorts," Grube said. "I know that no one else has them."
Grube said runway shows from New York, Milan and Paris featured baggier clothing. Designers are staying away from tight-fitted clothing this season.
"Menswear featured large, boxier clothing, like baggy trousers," he said.
Men's fashion tends to be conservative, with very little changes from season to season. However, this spring, designers are pushing the boundaries of men's fashion with colors, tones and androgyny. For women, designers are bringing midriffs and prints back.
"Usually, men's fashion tends to be toned down, but there's a lot of mesh and color blocking for men this season," Grube said. "There's lot of microprints and landscape prints for women. Midriffs are also coming back, which haven't been shown in a long time."
Trenton Bush, an instructor in apparel design, said menswear is ultra-conservative compared to women's fashion.
"Men are traditionally bound with limited colors, but there are more colors being introduced," Bush said.
Bush said prints are a must for women this spring.
"Prints will be crazy for women in the spring," he said. "Mixing and matching prints, camo prints, punky prints and bold color prints are in this season."
Bush recommended incorporating spring trends by following what designers are doing.
"As consumers, we look at the runway," he said. "It's theatrical and exciting, but we wear the clothes that makes us feel good. Take a risk or two, and dress for yourself."
Bush advises women to be careful about androgynous clothes.
"There's dresses that look like men's shirts, but you have to do it right," he said. "It can look like you're wearing your mom's coat."
Valerie Birk, an instructor in apparel design and fashion merchandising, said for women to stay away from sparkle and glitter this season.
"Last season, everything had sequins," she said. "This year, stay away from the trashy sparkle and try to think classic, yet feminine."
Birk advised not to replace a whole wardrobe full of trendy clothes.
"Trends come in and out," she said. "Buy selectively as opposed to buying everything that is a trend."
Birk said it is time to put the Ugg boots, tight pants and revealing clothes away. She wants men and women to embrace taste and size carefully this season.
"Let's be aware of tight clothes this spring," she said. "If skinny jeans are giving you a huge muffin top, let's not wear them. You can look tasteful if you wear the right size clothing."
Kelsi Henry, a senior advertising major, said she thinks vintage will be big in the spring.
"Last spring, it was all about colors," she said. "This season, it's about florals and more of a classic style."
Henry said she always looks forward to the spring in terms of fashion.
"In the winter, I have to cover everything up in a big jacket," she said. "I'm looking forward to showing off my clothes."
Henry recently bought a bright, pink blazer that she said she is very excited to wear.
"I love cotton blazers and fun colors, so it's a perfect match," she said. "I'll also be wearing the boyfriend-style jeans with lots of fabulous shoes and boots."
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