Spring 2011 fashion styles are a blast from the past and a look into the future

Matt Weir/The Collegian

The fashion industry is a fast-paced production, creating a never-ending momentum of change for our society. No matter the season, women are always trying to be first to recognize what the latest trend is.

With the introduction of a new season, closets will shift and wardrobes will adjust to whatever the hottest styles are at the time.

Fall is the preparation for women to bundle up in winter, and spring hits directly after ”” creating dramatic revisions in the women’s fashion world.

In spring 2010, sexy lace tops, sheer fabrics and rompers were some of the most popular styles that made their way into the fashion industry.

These styles were complemented with bright, eye-catching colors and have also been implemented with the trends that never seem to die such as stripe patterns and vintage wear.

But with constant advancements in the fashion world, what was hot last spring won’t necessarily be what consumers are looking for this spring.

Katey Martin, director of social media and marketing for Stella Style Inc., a well-known fashion boutique that brings progressive trends year-round to the Central Valley.

“Last spring we launched styles that were prevalent in the ‘80s, such as a lot of neon colors and leggings,” Martin said. “But this spring we are more focused on styles inspired by the ‘60s and ‘70s.”

Martin said that this season would bring a lot more of hippie chic and retro patterns back to the Central Valley’s fashion industry.

“Floral patterns will continue to be popular, and coral will kind of be the signature color for spring and summer,” she said.

Every spring, the fashion industry is known for producing even more revealing clothes than the year before ”” doing whatever it takes for their consumers to stay cool. Dresses are hiked up higher, bathing suits skimpier and hemlines are raised, giving short shorts a whole new meaning.

In the past spring and summer seasons, clothing that was branded as typical wear for the bottom half were low-rise jean shorts and pants. This spring, the denim hemlines on shorts will remain high, but the waistlines will be raised higher than the last most recent years.

This spring, women can expect high-waist, bell-bottom pants, similar to the ones from the ‘70s era. A lot of the upcoming trends will be inspired from previous generations, and more future styles can be anticipated as blasts from the past.

Although the Central Valley may not be known for originality and a keen sense of style, the season’s most modern trends will eventually make their way to Fresno.

“If you want the hottest brands and latest styles, you have to look to places such as Los Angeles and San Francisco,” Dr. Lizhu Davis, coordinator of the Fresno State fashion merchandising program, said.
“The styles always seem to trickle down to the Central Valley, usually finding their way to the fashion-forward boutiques.”

Although the new styles are harder to come across in the Central Valley, they are still being embodied in upscale areas and high-end stores.

“The majority of people who live in Fresno don’t typically dress according to the trends, but you can see a higher prevalence of them among the younger generation,” pre-nursing major Fallon Jones said. “I am hoping for a lot of bright colors and fun patterns that can complement the fun essence of the new spring season.”

While the season of spring naturally creates a sense of free spirit and the feeling of bliss, the fashion industry will also be contributing to the carefree and light atmosphere.

Floral patterns, pastel colors, the infamous styles of the past, loose off the shoulder and crop top T-shirts are all some of the trends that will be embraced with the start of the refreshing feel of spring.