It's Official: Spring Style has Sprung!

Ah spring is in the air...Can you feel it?? Well designers sure can! The proof is in the pages of Flare magazine, and the only place fashion is allowed to roam wild and free, on the streets!

After a dark and dreary winter, students from Toronto to Mississauga were more than happy to take to the streets in their fresh new digs (Saw a couple of tags still attached, gotta watch out for that ladies and gents), and bare some skin as temperatures rose to a very comfortable +20 degrees Celsius.

Yes ladies, more than a few manly biceps were seen under polo tees, and yes gentlemen, cleavage season has begun!

Dundas and Yonge streets in Toronto, and the hallways of Square One shopping mall in Mississauga (sorry locals, but we all know it's the only worthwhile place to hang..) were bustling with activity, and blooming with spring styles.

As I observed, stalked, and checked-out various stylish males and females, much to the dismay and enjoyment of my hubbster, I saw some truly adorable clothing items and accessories that made me squeal with joy, grab my credit card and....quickly put it away, after realizing it was maxed.

Two words, "student. budget." C'est la vie!

So while stopping over at my local Timmies (Tim Horton's) this evening, I made a list of all those things that made me pout like a naughty five-year-old and scream "I WANT," for the enjoyment and critique of all.

Without further ado, here they are, with pictures courtesy of man's best friend, the internets!

1) The Boyfriend BlazerChic and comfortable, the boyfriend blazer has become a staple for this spring as dresses and skirts begin getting shorter and shorts come out to play. The best part is, you can wear it with pretty much anything on the bottom, skirts, shorts, capris, skinny jeans, anything! This particular blazer is by Forever 21, and I'm digging the gray with large black buttons as accents.

2) The Over-Sized Formal Button-Down Shirt

Easy, comfortable, and classy, the over-sized shirt has made a comeback! No longer looking sloppy and tired, belts-thick or thin-have made this is a must-have look for everyday casual wear. Make sure to belt it at the narrowest part of your waist, this "dress-shirt" has literally become just that, a formal shirt worn as a cute dress. This item can be paired with leggings, Bermuda shorts, form fitting capris, or skinny jeans (depending on the length of the shirt of course), to create a chic on-the-go look. Accessories are a MUST with this item.

3) High-Waisted Skirts

Possibly my favourite item. EVER. The high waisted skirt makes petite girls look taller (YAY!). Whether you prefer the curve-definition of a pencil skirt, or the girly ruffles of a flared skirt, the wide band (or belt) cinching your narrowest part is guaranteed to make your legs look 10 miles long. This item can be paired with leggings if you're a little bit nervous about showing off too much, but is best worn with stockings, or bare legs. Feel free to add a lovely simple blouse, t-shirt, or fitted top on top, or patterned if the skirt is a solid colour. WEAR WITH HEELS! Flats and sandals are okay, but they'll cut back on the illusion of height the skirt creates.

4) The Floral Dress
Yes. For all you Gossip Girl fanatics out there this is indeed a photograph of Leighton Meester aka Blair Waldorf and co-star Ed Westwick aka Chuck on set. Here we see Leighton/Blair embracing her girly femininity in a lovely short floral halter dress, perfectly accessorized with a wide yellow belt cinching...wait for it... the narrowest part of her waist! What can be said about this outfit besides, "Wow. Want." Mile-long legs? Check. Narrow waist? Check. Spring colours? Chuck! No, wait, I meant, check. Feel free to pair with a solid cardigan in a colour pulled from the pattern, for evening when it gets a bit nippy. Accessorize with caution, the dress itself is a statement piece and too much bling will make the look tacky. Simplicity is key. Flats, heels or sandals all work, but once again, keep the look simple. Oh, Ed/Chuck looks okay too. Not too sure about those red suspenders...

5) The Nude Dress/Top
Nude is the new black as the skin-tone makes a comeback according to the May 2010 issue of Flare magazine. The pale floaty look is all the rage this spring as designers push for the acceptance of lingerie-like outerwear, rather than underwear. So ladies if you have a flirty, lacy nude corset or bustier feel free to wear it out in public. Out in public??? Am I crazy?? Actually, no, not at all. When paired with a dark cardi, or spiced up with a colourful accent piece (belt, jewelry, shoes, hairband, etc) the look is quite classy. As opposed to the floral dress, the nude tone is meant to be a base; a canvas to be worked with. So ladies, feel free to be artistic, but keep in mind, the best accessory to this colour, is a great tan. So hit the beach and get some sun! NO TANNING BEDS! They're bad for you, and addictive.

That's it for right now, but I promise I will continue to keep a sharp eye out this season for new trends, and let's see what summer brings!

P.S. With summer being bikini-season, let's start exercising and keeping out coffees non-fat, and no whip! Good luck all!

Your one and only,
~Roxy