COLOR!  In April 2007 I was in Italy and noted lots of bright colored men’s trousers.  Spring will expand that “European” look with brightly colored jeans – teal, yellow, and pink.

Spring colors for everything will be bright fluorescent pinks (every shade imaginable)  and muted oranges, dusty lavenders, melons, blues and greens 

Safer, more classic colors of caramel and olive keep the look neutral for trousers and shorts.

Classic black is shiny this year including rock star-inspired  Patent Leather in lace up pants and leather jackets,   a throwback to the punk rocker days of the '70s, with many zipped features

Black and silver gray color-blocked ensembles feature heavily for spring, provided they are in lightweight fabrics. White is still in the spring color pallet.

PATTERN --   Stripes – horizontal, vertical or bias on T-shirts, knits and woven shirts.  Plaid accessories like belts, shoes or flat caps will be popular. And checks in more vibrant colors.  Sport shirts will have bold plaids.

SUITS -  Patterns of very thin “hairline” stripes, and small herringbones – visible only up close.  And morning suit stripes on suits.

SPORT JACKETS –  The trend here is to feather light fabrics! (Global Warming driven?)  Combos of linen wool and other light weight fabrics   Cashmere/linen.  Jackets will be deconstructed and have a skinny fit.

TROUSERS  -- tapered legs, cuffs, higher waists, and oversized single pleats.  For casual pants bright tropical colors, and some cargo pants were seen reemerging on runways.

NECKTIES continue to loose width, Spring’s narrow necktie will be 2 to 3.5 inches wide.  More texture and floral patterns plus stripes continue to sell well.

Colors will be less pastel, instead more will be in the medium color range.

Bow ties are this year’s novel accessory.

SHIRTS  -- – lightweight and see through!   Thin fabric (again going with the lightweight trend) , and a skinny fit.

Bold button-down shirts in contrasting patterns, in colors of light mauves and blues.

GREEN chic – green fashion in new organic fabrics.

LIGHTWEIGHT NYLON JACKETS  --  High tech fabrics in nylon windbreakers, baseball jackets and trench coats

KNITS – A trend to texture in knit sweaters.  Light weight cardigans, crewneck sweaters and T-shirts (long sleeves) in long (tunic length).

SHORTS  --  in above the knee lengths – not baggy  All kinds of fabrics – canvas, seersucker.

Many fashion designers have incorporated short-shorts into their business suits.  !!! (Wear that look to your next job interview!)