New York fashion week certainly flew by in a hurry. Before the Milan and Paris shows gear up, take a look at the top 15 spring trends native to this side of the pond–i.e. the styles you’ll be shopping for come March ‘08.

Designers borrowed from the boudoir this season but left behind the fetish-style bustiers in favor of daintier, more feminine pieces. While some of the more transparent looks—such as Rodarte’s filmy frocks—would be difficult to wear without any additional underpinning, Max Azria, Marc Jacobs, and others transformed the provocative into effortless separates.

Ombré, the distinctive dip-dye fabric, in which colors gradually intensify from dark to light, glowed during the New York shows. Diane von Furstenberg and Adam+Eve’s Adam Lippes tapped into the material’s bohemian vibe with their fuss-free, travel-ready dresses. When applied to any shape or separate, the result is a bold yet breezy look, one that hardly needs accessorizing.

Tailored white pantsuits brightened up the New York runways this season. Some—like those from Michael Kors and Rag & Bone—came with a strong dose of Saturday Night Fever–inspired sex appeal, while Erin Fetherston’s dropped-waist version recalled the subdued glamour of Marlene Dietrich and her peers.

Attention all dancing queens: The asymmetrical-strap dress—a Studio 54–era staple—makes its return for spring. Michael Kors turned up the volume on the season’s ’70s vibe with his glittery, disco-ready dress, Gwen Stefani offered up a graphic, neo-Grecian style in her L.A.M.B. line, and Cynthia Steffe showed a simpler, monochromatic version for those wallflowers not yet ready to steal the spotlight.

In keeping with the season’s laid-back vibe, tie-dye resurfaced in many designer collections. The revival of this hippie print is far from being a free-love fashion extravaganza; instead, designers such as Narciso Rodriguez and Antonio Berardi used the pattern to create tiny, controlled explosions of color. Look for a tie-dyed piece to add a burst of energy to your spring wardrobe.

Whoever said fashion is not an art was certainly proved wrong this season, as runways included many a museum-worthy style. Ladylike pieces covered in Crayola colors, brush-stroke patterns, and whimsical scrawls played a big role in Anne Klein and Thakoon collections, while Mondrian’s colorful paintings played muse to Catherine Malandrino.

The sultry heat of the Sahara and the 1970s infused many spring collections, as designers recalled an era when both cosmopolitan and exotic locales were more untamed than they are today. Derek Lam whipped up filmy leopard-print dresses, Rag & Bone paired khaki shirtdresses with panama hats, and belted pantsuits—just the thing for traipsing through today’s urban jungle—could be found on the DKNY runway.

Simple nude gowns, in buff, beige, or tan shades that elongate the silhouette, will surely emerge as the key evening look during the upcoming social season. The draped versions—like those from Donna Karan—came with a hint of Grecian elegance, as if found in Aphrodite’s closet.

For spring, the dramatic flamenco-inspired trim takes a charming turn, thanks to delicate floral blooms, pastel shades, and airy silk chiffon. Ralph Lauren outfitted his English roses in multi-tiered gowns, Zac Posen transformed a simple white dress into a layered, statement-making frock, and Jennifer Lopez served up flirty dresses with a dash of sass.

A new Victor-Victoria look will dominate during the weekdays this spring, according to New York designers including Proenza Schouler, Ralph Lauren, and Jill Stuart. The 9-to-5 uniform will be composed of a boyish, cinched-waist blazer and swingy, girlish skirt. Consider Sunday blues a thing of the past, as rarely has the working girl’s wardrobe looked so chic.

Day-Glo hues illuminated many a runway show, as the brightest stars in the early ’90s palette resurfaced on the season’s most refined pieces. Takes cues from the trendsetters—including THREEAsFour, Phillip Lim, and Nanette Lepore—and temper those intense shades by pairing them with more neutral-colored separates.

To see the rest of New York’s Spring ‘08 Trends–as well as the all-important designer and photo credit–skip on over to Glam.

Technorati Tags: New York Fashion Week, Fashion Shows, Fashion Trends, Trends, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Phillip Lim, Diane Von Furstenberg, Style Tips, Shopping Tips, Nanette Lepore, Jill Stuart, Ralph Lauren, Proenza Schouler

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