Spring.

Spring officially arrives March 21st. It is a time of renewal, a time to clean up, organize and move towards summer. March and April are an excellent time to examine your wardrobe and eliminate the items that have not been worn. When you donate these items you will create space in your closet, do a good deed and experience the joy of giving. By doing this now, you can review your clothes and the message your wardrobe expresses. It is an opportunity to add items that change the mood and message of your winter wardrobe for the new season.

As the weather improves you can clean and store your heaviest winter items. To brighten your wardrobe try a pashmina shawl in a colour you love. It will warm you on cooler days all year round and cheer you on the days that you wear it. It is an excellent time to invest in a couple of new accessories. Try a necklace, earrings, bracelet and or a ring with colourful stones. One or a combination of items will add zip to your solid basics. A chain belt in your favourite metal with or without coloured stone accents will add a new flavour as well. If this is not your look try a new wide belt. Don't invest in items you have to wait to wear. Do select things that will take you forward into the warm weather. For example , if you love hot pink try one item in that colour, a shirt, a tank top or a pullover. In March and April you can wear them under your jackets and then they can emerge happily as the weather permits.

If, while you are visiting your closet, you are inspired to review your summer clothes, be aware of the trends for Spring/Summer 2006. For colour think pastel colours such as soft greens, pinks, yellows, and lavenders. Include summer whites in your wardrobe plan. To anchor these lighter shades try chocolate brown as an alternative to black. If these tones don't excite you there will also be a nautical theme in the season's offerings of navy and reds to mix with your whites. This means gold buttons, gold accents and sailor stripes if you wish.

If nautical statements are not your cup of tea, don't despair. The soft pastel palette will lead to a soft romantic look in blouses and dresses. Details such as lace garments and trim, bows, ruffles, flounces, pleating, embroideries, and assorted delicate embellishments will make femininity a definite part of 2006's summer wardrobe.

For pants, there will be lots of choices, anything from high wasted full and easy flowing to slim and very close to the body. For lengths start with boxy shorts, continue down to knee length and beyond with lengths all the way to the floor. Select based on your figure and lifestyle.

For the trend setter a tulip skirt will be the bottom of choice to compliment those romantic tops. This does not rule out the basic pencil skirt. If you prefer to wear a dress, now is a great time to buy a simple sleeveless dress. Pull it on over a fine turtle neck or slip it under a jacket and then use it later as a summer basic. Try an empire wasted, sack, or a trapeze cut dress and if you like the effect don't hesitate to add it to your wardrobe for the season.

Clothing speaks. Your wardrobe choices will extend your visual vocabulary, flatter you and make you comfortable.

Fashion trends are there to add spice to your basic wardrobe. Have fun sampling the offerings and make choices based on what suits you best. Don't say no to a new look without trying it first. You might be pleasantly surprised. Nothing wrong in trying new and different items and keeping an open mind. Then select items to create your unique personal statement for the present and forward to the summer. Enjoy!