April Showers and May Flowers

Ah, spring. A season that, in my opinion, outshines every other. Spring is filled with every happy nature cliché there is: birds twittering, flowers blooming, sun shining and fresh grass growing. Spring is truly a rebirth in every sense of the word. So sure, that beautiful nature stuff is all fine and good, but it's really only a teeny-tiny part of what makes me love spring.

I love it for a very different reason actually. See, spring is the time when I finally get to do what I've been longing to do all winter. I get to cast off those heavy winter layers and replace them with all the warm weather clothes I missed so much. Hello, tank top and shorts! Spring is the best excuse to go shopping all year. So, to help you get rid of those dreaded winter boots and huge puffy jackets, here are a few trends to keep in mind when shopping for that perfect spring wardrobe this year.

Denim

Decades may pass and trends may change, but there is one classic item that never goes out of style: jeans. The style of jeans, however, is a different story. This spring, on those days when you wish you didn't have to wear pants but the weather demands it, pull on a pair of dark skinny jeans. Believe it or not, skinnies have managed to survive yet another season. If you're not so much into the tight fit, try the trendy boyfriend jean. With a looser yet still stylish fit, it's a rare combo of fashionable and comfy. No matter what style you choose, you also have to consider the wash you'd like. Michaela, a store manager for American Eagle, recommends light wash, artistically ripped denim that look like you've lived in them for a few years, and loved them all the while.

Romper Room

As we all know, when it comes to trends, the fashion industry is super thrifty; they recycle. Recently, we experienced the return of leggings from the 80s and now we're seeing the renaissance of the romper, straight from the 50s. For those who don't know, the romper suit is basically shorts and a shirt in one... or shorts and a tank... or shorts and a tube top... that is the beauty of the romper, my friends - it's got variety! Usually in a solid colour, rompers are trendy without being too girly, stylish without being too high-maintenance and super comfortable. Another plus: the romper is super easy to pull on. Just add accessories, grab your favourite metallic gladiator sandals and you're good to go. This is a stylish relaxed look that will have you skipping through your weekends.

Geometric Shapes

On the spring runways, designers followed their whims when it came to shape. Fabric was twisted, puffed out, shredded and draped in every direction possible, creating daring (and sometimes downright outlandish!) silhouettes. This trend was seen everywhere, from the drastic pleats at Karl Lagerfeld to oversized hips at Stella McCartney to the rectangle-shaped dresses at Calvin Klein. So how do you translate this look into something you can wear in the real world? Think puffy sleeves, pleated skirts and layered fabrics if you want to try out this trend.

Animal Prints

For the truly brave, this season's fashion has a high-impact print in store for us: the animal print. From leopard spots to tiger stripes, this gutsy pattern stalked the runway at shows like Christian Dior. Not for the faint of heart, animal prints are best overdone, so if you're feeling animalistic, go all out. Try a full on leopard print dress or shirt; and for a twist, try a washed animal print, tinted with any colour that you want. Pink zebra t-shirt, anyone?

Florals

I've always been one to let the season dictate my wardrobe, and this spring it looks like everyone will be joining me. Echoing nature coming to life, floral prints are going to be huge (just like they were this past fall). Whether it's huge multicoloured flowers or tiny dark blue buds, this trend can be interpreted in so many ways that everybody can find a version to love. So look out for flowing flowery shirts and dresses when the weather starts to get warm.