Lyssa Beyer

From the fashion runway to the streets of Eau Claire, spring trends are hitting the racks and shelves, making shoppers hopeful for warmer days to come.

Cosmopolitan.com reports “bold, psychedelic and pop art-inspired patterns” for the spring -which is exactly what local vendors and UW-Eau Claire shoppers said they noticed. Peruse the fashion Web sites and magazine covers, and you will be blinded by the bright array of colors taking over the fashion scene.

A rainbow of choices
Juniors Sally Anderson and Kirstin Dunsworth browsed some of the spring fashions at Oakwood Mall, 4800 Golf Road, Monday evening. Both said they try to keep up on trends when possible, but money is always a factor in what they can buy.

They also agreed bright colors seem to dominate this season’s palette.

“I was in American Eagle and everything was so bright,” Dunsworth said.

Amber, an employee at American Eagle Outfitters who declined to give her last name, said women’s fashion is definitely taking a bold look this spring. Bright, neon colors like lime green and coral are dominating the racks, she said.

Ali Rucinski, manager for Claire’s Accessories at the mall, said while “the Mod” colors are still selling big right now – red, white and black – shoppers will see more bright colors in the middle of March, in anticipation of warmer months. Yellows and greens will be popular, she said.

Making a splash
Rebecca Fisher, store manager for The Buckle at Oakwood Mall, said the store’s market is 16 to 24 -year – olds, but has been expanding in both directions. College – aged people are especially attracted to The Buckle because it is a specialty realtor, she said, meaning that customers purchase clothing that is not mass -produced.

Women will see a lot of florals that lean Hawaiian, Fisher said, as well as polka dots, magentas and electric blues, especially in the swimwear. The Buckle’s water wear is the largest stock in five years, she said, adding that almost all the suits are reversible.

“(It’s) great, because you get two suits in one,” Fisher said.

Mismatched separates are also hot this season, she said. For example, a swimsuit top could be polka dotted, while the bottoms are striped, she said.

Men’s swimsuits are also bold this year, Fisher said. All-over prints and plaids are still fashionable.

Graffiti for guys, ‘flowy’ solids for girls
Anderson said she’s seen quite a few light – colored, flowy spring sundresses on the racks, as well as cropped jackets.

Amber from American Eagle said many of the store’s shirts include feminine details like lace and puffed sleeves that don’t include prints. Patterns such as plaid are more common on pants and shorts, she said.

Shirts also aren’t very tight this season, Amber said, and are more “flowy.”

Brands such as Hurley have their West Coast-inspired style in women’s tops, Fisher said.

Dunsworth said a lot of fashionable clothing flaunts the store’s logo, making the wearer a walking advertisement for the brand.

Leggings with long shirts are also in -style, she said.

On the men’s side, Obey Clothing is a brand with graffiti – inspired artwork that includes all – over prints, Fisher said. Men’s fashion at The Buckle in general, she said, has a lot of extra treatments done to the fabric to make it “really unique.”

In men’s fashion, junior Eric Johnson said he has noticed a ton of graphic t-shirts – especially while working at She Nanigans, 415 Water St.

One of the stores Johnson said he has seen such graphic T’s is The Buckle at the mall.

On the bottom, women will see longer, knee-length crops that are a skinnier fit down to the knee, plus a cuff, Fisher said.

Buckle’s denim selection is seeing a lot of pocket detail and cleaner washes, Fisher said. The store is also taking on higher -end denims such as Manchester and Big Star, as well as Lucky’s premium line, she said.

Johnson is also taking note of the typical spring and summer shorts men wear.

“Cargo shorts always seem to be pretty big,” Johnson said with a shrug, adding that he doesn’t follow fashion too closely.

Finishing touches
As for accessories at The Buckle, Fisher said very chunky wedges with big straps and bold prints will be fashionable. Paper boy caps are also a hot spring item, she said. Jewelry at the store will continue the trend of bold and colorful, with oversized earrings, gemstone watches and bags.

As for types of accessories at Claire’s, “headbands are still hot,” Rucinski said.

Other popular items include bangle bracelets, she said.

Anderson, who works at Macy’s, said headbands continue to be a fashionable item. Pendant necklaces are another popular accessory, she said.

Not too early to shop for spring
Even though it’s only February, the fashion clock is ticking forward to the spring months, putting student shoppers in the mood for spring break and summer sun.

Fisher said spring shopping is definitely beginning, with her store getting fresh shipments every day of the week.