Halter tops, flip flops and jerseys without shirts underneath can be seen all around campus, marking the first days of the spring fashion season at Southern University.
Spring officially begins March 20th, but in South Louisiana and other parts of the country, the temperature feels more like summer way.
People are beginning to shed their sweaters and thick layers of clothing they bundled themselves in to go to class each day and begin to dress more appropriate for the weather.
“The first day the temperature rose above 70, I saw at least 10 girls walking around campus looking like they were going to a beach party,” said Jameka Bone, a senior from Birmingham, Ala. majoring in mass communications, “I know it is hot outside, but I didn’t expect people to come out of their rooms this naked so soon.”
Clothing stores and fashion magazines usually begin to showcase clothes before the actual season arrives. This is only to give consumers a preview of what is to come, so they can buy clothes at a cheaper price, then wear them when the weather is appropriate.
“We usually start recieving spring and summer attire towards the middle of winter,” said Santisha Davis, store manager of It’s Fashion! clothing store.
“A lot of people feel they should buy all the halters and capris the minute we put them out but they don’t realize that clothing stores are always a season ahead of what is really going on.” Davis said.
Before people step out of their rooms wearing next to nothing they should take a few moments to evaluate their outfit so they can dress according to the spring fashion season.
According to Lucky Magazine, the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s inspired styles for women will still be around for spring.
Bright bold prints, peasant shirts and punk-rocker accessories like bangle bracelets and studded pieces make a bold statement to a wardrobe, but only when used in moderation.
“I saw a girl in the union that had on a mini skirt, fishnet stockings, about 200 colorful bangle bracelets, bright colored pumps with legwarmers on top of them, and a tank top,” said Candace Clement, a senior majoring in speech pathology from Reserve. “She would have looked a lot better if she just had on one of those pieces, instead she looked like she was trying to follow a trend too much.”
Glamour Magazine also said that for Spring, women should wear clothing that fits and flatters their body types.
Petite and small framed women need to wear clothes that do not make their bodies appear shapeless or boyish.
For example, they suggested wearing a pair of loose fitting drawstring flood pants, instead of skin tight capris that highlight the body and make it look too skinny.
Glamour suggests that women who have medium to larger framed figures should not wear skin tight clothing or outfits that highlight problem areas on their bodies.
Other trends for women highlighted in Glamour and Lucky Magazine included pastel colors, preppy and monogrammed T-shirts and edgy accessories. Abercrombie & Fitch and Express Men’s spring line of clothing included a multitude of shorts, pull-over tops, and athletic inspired pieces.
