It’s time to start planning your Spring wardrobe. Soon enough, your Winter boots and sweaters will be pushed to the back of your closet, patiently waiting for next Fall. And, you’ll look through your closet asking yourself, “What in the world did I wear last Spring?” Before you run out and buy a whole new wardrobe, follow these steps to save yourself some time and money.

1. Evaluate what you already have.

First, make yourself familiar with Spring 2009 fashion trends. Think creatively. The white dress you have hanging in your closet doesn’t need to look exactly like the ones you saw on the runways. Can you add a belt to it to update the look? Or layer a blazer over it?
Next, check out the depths of your closet. Take a Saturday morning to go through your clothes. Get rid of clothes you never wear or will never wear again. But remember, you might have a dress or a top that you hardly wore last Spring but that’s perfect for this season. Take your castoffs to the next clothes swap, a resale store like Buffalo Exchange or donate them to Goodwill. If I don’t have a clothes swap planned, I usually try Buffalo Exchange first because anything they can’t take goes to really great charities.

2. Decide what your Spring wardrobe will consist of.

The start of a new season is a great time to create a signature style. Look at the trends for next Spring and decide which of them fit your personality best, will give you the most confidence and which will help you take the fashion direction that works for you.
Here is a list of overarching Spring 2009 trends. It’s true that some things will be specific must-haves. For instance, white is a big color for Spring, but the ultimate way to wear white is with a white dress. I’ll write a Spring 2009 must-haves post another day. As you’re going through your closet and deciding what your look will be, keep an open mind with these basic categories of trends.

Spring 2009 Trends

1. Asymmetry: One shoulder dresses and tops are definitely trendy.
2. Gold: Gold jewelry, gold silky tops and dresses, gold heels and flats are all a must this season.
3. Monochromatic Outfits: Color is a huge deal this season. Rich, bright colors should be combined with other pieces in the same hue.
4. Layers: To achieve the monochromatic outfit look, you’ll need to layer. Go for different lengths. For instance, a long cardigan over a shorter dress.
5. Jackets & Cardigans: Speaking of cardigans…tailored jackets like blazers or cropped coats are perfect for the office and cardigans are a must-have for the season. The most popular one being talked about is the J.Crew cardigan (as seen on Michelle Obama). You don’t have to wear that exact one, but notice the style and emulate it.
6. Flat Sandals: Yes, it’s okay to wear flats this season. Check out my post about flat sandals for different styles and trends.
7. Statement Heels: On the runways, there were some pretty serious heels sighted. I’m not quite sure how some of those models made it down the runway (there were quite a few stumbles!). Check out my post about how to choose the perfect pair of heels for some tips and a list of the latest heel trends.
8. Statement Jewelry: Big, ornate necklaces and bracelets are still in vogue. Go for gold and you’re combining two trends!
9. Pleats: Pleats were everywhere, on everything. But, they were definitely prevalent on pants. Harem pants, carrot pants and basic pleated pants are the different styles. Read my pleated pants post for tips and descriptions of each.
10. Sheer: See-through fabrics are definitely in. We saw quite a few model breasts on the runway, but you don’t need to bare all to wear sheer. Layer a same-colored tank or slip under a sheer piece to make your outfit acceptable.
11. White: White is definitely THE color this Spring. The white dress is a must have, but white jeans, white tops, white skirts and suits are all pieces we’ll see.
12. Tribal: The tribal look is achieved with prints, but mostly with beads and other embellishments. This can be done just with jewelry, or with tops, dresses or shoes that are adorned with embellishments.
13. Embellished: In addition to the tribal embellishments, other types of adornments will be seen on shoes, tops, dresses and jewelry. Think huge flowers, gems and studs…
14. Ruffles: A type of embellishment, ruffles were seen on necklines, hemlines and in between. Don’t discard that ruffled dress in your closet. Think about how you can make it appropriate for this season!
15. Hippie: Peasant blouses and flowy skirts will be popular again this season. Pair with belts and flat sandals when you layer monochromatic pieces and you’ll be super trendy!

3. Start scouring the sales racks

Once you’ve made yourself familiar with the trends, defined your style for the season and gone through your closet, it’s time to start adding necessary pieces. Since there’s still a fair amount of time (a month or so) before the season starts, you have the chance to check out the sales racks. It’s amazing how many items are discounted right now. If you know what you’re looking for, it’s a great time to shop for the next season. Remember, as with the closet exercise, maintain a broad definition of the trends.

What do you think of these tips? Are you ready for the Spring season?