Just when we were getting used to the black and grays that fall brought us, the fashion gods decided to to have a fling with brights. From adorable totes to patent pumps, sunglasses to accessories, you can find just about every shade of ROY.G.BIV. (What up, 6th grade science class! Bet you never thought you’d hear ROY.G.BIV again, did you?!)

And for a new twist, colored bottoms are back. I knew I should have hung on to my bright blue capris from the Gap circa the late ’90s. (Remember those commercials where they were all dancing in tons of bright colored bottoms?!)

Sorry. Having some nostalgia moments up in here. Reeling it in…

This spring is all about bright bottoms, and mixing and matching big, bold colors. I love pairing two complementary colors together – think bright blue and orange, or pink and green. It just makes everything more exciting.

If mixing colors is intimidating, stick with a colorful bottom and a neutral top and shoe. The key when mixing colors is to always keep at least one element neutral. So if you’re wearing a coral top and a blue skirt, go with a neutral bag and skin tone shoe. If you’re doing a colorful shoe and pant, or colorful belt and pant, keep the rest toned down.

Not sure where to start? Here are three foolproof looks that will brighten your mood and your wardrobe!

The groundhog Puxatony Phil may have predicted that Spring is right around the corner, but it doesn’t look like winter’s ready to give up just yet. With freezing temps and snowstorms still affecting most of the country, it can be hard to believe that there’s an end in sight.

Beat those winter blues by brightening your wardrobe! Brightly colored handbags are going to be big this Spring, but they’re also perfect for winter. Set against the gray and gloomy weather, colorful handbags stand out and look even more cheerful than they do in the warmer months. Here are a few budget-friendly options — each is $20 or less!

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While seasons never stop me from wearing whatever makeup I please, it may stop some of you. So if you’ve yet to tackle the vibrant summer night eye, let me help. Bright eye makeup is one of my favorite things, and I hope after this video it will be one of yours too!

1. Special Black Sweater
A noir knit number will be one of your best layering pieces for fall that instantly boosts your outfit’s excitement level. Instead of going for the basic black, take a risk and opt for a pull over sweater or cardigan with special details like bows, statement sleeves or sweet rockstar influenced studs.

2. The All Occasion Platform
It’s the all occasion shoe that works for just that…all occasions. Whether you’re wearing office trousers or a sexy mini for a cocktail party, the platform is going to be your killer shoe for the season. If you’re a true busy bee, put extra shoe padding in them for added comfort and longer wear time.

3. The New Pant: Leggings
I never thought I would say this, but I love leggings – the new and improved legging, that is. They are like ultra comfy fitted pants with edgy details like zippers and stirrups. The key to looking slim in leggings is to wear them with a stacked or platform heel, and a top or blazer long enough to cover the fullest part of your thigh and bum.

4. A Wool Skirt
Don’t be confined to wearing pants all season. You can also take the chill off by sporting a wondrous wool skirt. Whatever flatters your body type the best: a pencil, mini, or A-line are all equally fabulous, just as long as your tush feels toasty.

5. Something Shiny
Mix a conversation metallic piece into your survival kit and sparkle your way through a fall fix. Gold is the new neutral, easily paired with all of your warm hues like chocolate brown, mustard yellow, heather grey, and winter white.

6. A Pop Colored Coat
You will steal the spotlight in a bright pop colored coat. Instead of limiting your options to black or brown, be bold in a strawberry red, cobalt blue, or even citrus yellow. Colored coats have no boundaries in your survival kit, as long as the fabric is suitable to brave the windy days and brisk nights.

Yeah, I know this is blurry. It's hard to capture such fabulosity.

While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.

And if there’s one girl who’s got some fashion courage it’s Lauren. I spotted her on campus because, well, it’s impossible not to spot her. She’s always decked out in bright colors, bold accessories and some serious confidence. Oh, and her perfect hair helps, too.

We started talking fashion and before I knew it, we were back at her dorm. Where she showed me her closet. Sigh. It was a wonderful place.

Name: Lauren
Year: 2012
Major: Spanish and Religion
Lauren in 3 words: Chill, fly, gansta

1) Describe your personal style.

I have a very eclectic style; I definitely go for bright colors and fun animal prints, something really crazy. You can tell by my hair. Fierce.

2) You can’t leave your house without your ________.

Ipod. For sure.

3) What is your favorite store to shop at?

I’d have to say Hot Topic because they have so much great stuff that you wouldn’t expect to find there and lots of unique styles that other stores don’t have.

4) What/who is the biggest influence on your style?

I don’t really have one single influence for fashion. I’m like a mixtape, baby. A party playlist.

5) What’s your favorite trend, past or present?

I know it’s not a legit trend, but my favorite fashion accessories are definitely earrings, especially hoop earrings. Every color and every style. Bling is fabulous.

I don’t know about you, but after what seemed to be the most grueling. winter. ever. I am excited and eager to dust off my spring wardrobe… and add some new pieces to it. As is always the case with the new season, we have some new trends (along with a few piggy-back trends of season’s past) to spice up our wardrobes.

Here are some of Spring 2009’s hottest trends:

Back to Basics: Black & White

It’s not nearly as versatile as the LBD (little black dress) and won’t be replacing it anytime soon, but the white dress is huge for spring. Contrary to the simplicity of the LBD, the white dress is all about glamour, so look for ruffles, maxi-lengths and sheer fabrics (another uber-trend this season). It’s time to bring out your inner goddess!

Along with the white dress, we’re seeing great dresses, tops and skirts that flaunt graphic black on white prints. This look makes a bold and fresh statement and is a great way to stand out in a sea of LBD.

A Suit-able Choice: Pantsuits and Short-suits (AKA jumpers/rompers)

We’ve seen the short-suits for the last couple of seasons, and they’re big again this year, but we are also seeing the pantsuit make a comeback. Don’t worry; it’s got a lot more style. If you are brave enough to rock this trend,  be sure to go for a drapey look and not a super tight number. If done right, this style can be incredibly chic. If done wrong, however, it can be incredibly Jazzercise.

Color Me Bad: Color, Color, Color!!!

As is always the case, color is extremely popular this season. Bright colors like neon oranges and bright blues were prominent on the runways, but the two main color staples for this season are hot pink/magenta and yellow. You can brighten up any outfit with pops of these colors and they’re wonderfully versatile hues that can be matched with pretty much every skin tone.

If you’re not wanting something quite so in-your-face, muted brights like mint-green, coral and pastels are also a great way to add some zing. Another color trend we’re seeing pop up this season are flashes of neon; shoes or the lining on a coat are great ways to play up this 90′s trend without busting out the Hypercolor shirts and biker shorts.

Detail-Oriented: From Ruffles to Leopard Print and Everything In Between

This season puts a lot of emphasis on details, especially the epitome of feminine detailing: ruffles and bows. Look for them at the shoulder and on the hip. You’ll also see leopard print (picking up where giraffe print left off last year); sequins and glitter; big, bold prints (floral, graphic and even tribal inspired); and lace. Finding pieces with fun & interesting details are sure to make you stand out.

Take a Chill Pill: Relaxed Fit Pants

This cut is similar to the boyfriend jeans style that emerged in the fall; it is loose and easy at the hips, then tapers delicately above the ankle. This looks to be spring’s most popular silhouette and it also wins for this season’s most comfortable trend, as you can give your thighs a break from those super skinny jeans.

The Royal Treatment: Cleopatra-Inspired Looks

Asymmetrical tops and dresses, harem pants (one of this season’s most unexpected looks) and jeweled necklines all pay homage to the queen herself. If you’re going for the asymmetrical look, long, flowy dresses are a newer take on this trend. If you’re brave enough to try out the harem pants, be sure to pair these with belts, chunky heels and drapey tops to get the right look. You are going for modern, not MC Hammer.

There are other trends you’ll spot this season such as boho/hippie chic and excessive accessories, but these 6 are bound to be the biggest ones out there. Find your favorites and make ‘em your own; you’ll not only be basking in the warmer weather, but you’ll look lovely doin’ it, too.

Along with the spring fashion trends, it’s (almost) time to break out the new shoe styles and this spring shoe styles are all about fun, fun, fun. Here’s what to be on the look out for…

Details:

This season it’s all about details: embellishments, beads, fringe, ruffles, flowers, buckles, zippers, snaps, studs…Think of your shoes as a piece of art and go with something new and interesting.

Gladiators:

Gladiators are back and this season with a twist. We’re seeing more heeled gladiators and fun & interesting takes on this popular style: metallics, bright colors, and wedges.

Reptile Skins:

Reptile skins (especially snakeskin), real or faux, are being seen on shoes all over the place. Flats, stilettos and wedges; you name it, you can find it. The most important part of this trend is to go for quality – you don’t want faux skins that look cheap. Payless is not the place to go for these shoes.

Cut-Out Booties:

This spin on the popular bootie of fall and winter will make them translate to warm weather and will give you a more fun and updated look.

Ties, Laces and Straps:

Ties, laces and straps were all over the runways for this season in all different forms, from hippie-tree hugger to glamazon.  They’re not only a fun and new trend, they’re functional as well (you will never lose a shoe!).

Unique Heels:

With interesting details being such a focus this year, heels did not get overlooked. Keep your eye open for brightly colored, uniquely shaped or architectural heels.

Color:

Just like this season’s clothes, bright colors are all the rage for shoes, especially pinks and oranges.

And of course, keep your eyes open for all the styles we’ve seen season after season; wedges, slingbacks, peep toes, sky-high heels and platforms.

It’s been a long, cold winter and not only have we been forced to bundle up, chances are we’ve all been sporting dark and drab wear, as is typical in the winter months. While we still have a few weeks left of cold before we can start rockin’ those cute spring clothes, we can start adding a little pazazz to our boring winter wardrobes with little pops of color.

As is always the case in the spring, brights will be back this season, and the most popular hues this spring are hot pink/fuschia, yellows & oranges, and bright blues. Here are some great (and affordable) options to brighten up any wardrobe.

A girl can never have too many fitted tees in her wardrobe and Old Navy has an array of brightly colored t-shirts that are currently all on sale for $5!

You can keep warm and look fun and cheerful in a bright cardigan. Once spring comes, you can layer them over a dress (as shown), or throw em over tanks for chilly evenings.

A fun part of spring is the chance to bust out those cute dresses once again, here are some fun & flirty options for the upcoming warm months. All can be paired with black tights to get you through the winter, and worn bare legged with sandals once the warm weather sets in.

If solid brights aren’t your style, incorporate the bright colors of spring with a floral print. Florals will be back in full force this spring and here are a couple of awesome options that play on both trends.

And if you prefer just want a smidgen of color, shoes are a great way to brighten your ensemble without being too loud.The popular fringe trend from fall/winter will be translated into spring/summer in the form of sandals.

Not into fringe? Why not bust out a cute pair of flats, a more colorful gladiator sandal, or try the latest spring shoe trend, the Huarache sandal, with a colorful twist? All are adorable, comfortable, and add the pop that your outfit needs. (You can’t really sport these with snow on the ground, but start loading up now for an instant mood lift.)

Whatever you do, the most important thing to remember is not to be afraid of color. Have a little fun with it – a little can add a whole lot of excitement to your look. Especially after a long season of blacks, greys and navy.

That being said, although I love, love, LOVE Victoria’s Secret, there is one section of their stores that makes me want to barf:

Victoria’s Secret Pink.

The sub-division of VS is supposedly geared towards high schoolers and undergrads, but is usually found on awkward middle school girls, typically in the form of bejewled hoodies and capri-length sweat pants with PINK written across the butt.

Something about the brand is just inherently annoying and cheesy to me. The bright colors, unsophisticated graphics, and heavy labeling might have something to do with it. Don’t get me wrong, some of their undies and tops (sans logo) are pretty cute, but I have NO desire to wear a “most popular” t-shirt bra emblazoned with the VS PINK crest in rainbow colors. I’ve been wearing a bra for close to 10 years now – the novelty has worn off. Additionally, I doubt my boyfriend would be impressed (or tuned on!) if I busted out a yellow polka dotted scoopneck come Friday night.

With the juvenile designs one might expect some juvenile pricing to fit junior-high budgets, but Pink doesn’t even offer that. Instead, their bras hover around the $35-$40 range, and their apparel is even more pricy. $90 for a rhinestone encrusted zip up ? Really? Online, Pink even offers logo-covered bedding that oh-so-conveniently fits twin extra-long dorm beds should you wish to showcase your love of the line in your room at college. I’m not kidding. And don’t even get me started on their “Collegiate Collection.”

Did I mention that Pink not only sells underwear, flip flops, tote bags, lounge wear, and bedding, but also skirts and jeans now?  Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t ever see myself trading in my Sevens, or even my A&Fs, for a pair of Pink skinnies. It’s just not gonna happen.

What do you think? VS Pink: Hate it or love it?