COLORS Although pastels are aplenty, white is the new black this year

White is the chosen signature color in collections by many designers.
SCRIPPS HOWARD
Much of the country is still in the grip of winterlike weather, but the calendar says spring has arrived.
As proof, plant shoots are sprouting up out of the earth in many places, and that means it's also time for the annual rundown of spring fashions.
The rush of bright and vivid colors of recent seasons is finally abating, giving way to soft pastels and pale oceanic colors such as French vanilla, cameo pink, sand dollar, lily green and skyway. There's also an increased amount of black for day as well as evening.
But white is the new black in everything from shirts, slacks and jeans to skirts, suits and gowns. In a range of hues such as cream, ivory, eggshell and snow, it's the chosen signature color in collections by many designers, including Michael Kors, Tracy Reese, Douglas Hannant, Wolfgang Joop and Proenza Schouler. White signals a cleansing of the palette this spring and summer, before autumn's return to darker, more brooding colors.
Although there's less color this season, creative design details keep fabrics interesting. Cotton, linen, silk and duchess satin often are crushed and crinkled for more texture in day and evening wear.
Eyelets add nostalgia to women's apparel, pleats of all types add flair to skirts, gowns and pants, and polka dots large and small lend a whimsical touch to just about everything from neckties and scarves to swimwear and cocktail dresses.
What to expect
For women, silhouettes are wide -- wide-legged and palazzo pants and extra-wide, waist-defining belts that jazz up skirts, dresses, jackets, pants and walking shorts. Feminine, swishy skirts return in force, with lots of tulip and bubble styles in unusual prints joining the mix.
Men's looks continue to lean toward debonair dressy-casual for day, with more emphasis on uptown professional cool that can easily go from the office to an evening on the town.