trend report - bold prints

Get set to blossom this spring and summer with freshly picked florals and big, bold graphic prints. Design houses like Chloe have been brewing this trend for a year or so, and it has finally trickled down to the masses with retailers like Patrick Robinson for Target and Forever21 jumping on board. Mod and pretty, these prints are feminine without being over-the-top girly, and their bright, bold feel can liven up any basic design. Updated from printed and woven patterns last seen in the sixties and seventies, a graphic babydoll top or monochrome floral shift can add an element of vintage or a decidedly futuristic feel, depending on how its paired. Dress up with red lips and heels like Rachel or follow Sienna's lead with sandals and shades and rule the sidewalks with these cool and pretty patterns.

trend report - the new hippie

It's not really back. It was always there. Hippie chic never goes out of style, it just gets updated with a punch of what's current to keep it fresh. Loose rules apply - just think the opposite of urban, fitted tailoring with feminine, flowy, Roman- and seventies-inspired tunics and dresses of every length. Take inspiration from your favorite fashionistas: Nicole Richie has patented the head scarf and oversize glasses, the Olsen twins work the art of layering and Lindsay Lohan has been pairing her peace signs with a wide-leg jean or cutoff denim shorts. The most important element, of course, is attitude - and that comes for free. Independent, free spirit, lover of life. Perfect for spring.

trend report - eco chic

In celebration of Earth Day later this week, why not add a glimmer of conscience to your closet? Celebs like Julia Roberts, Leonardo Dicaprio, Cameron Diaz and Mandy Moore are jumping on the bandwagon, and it's time for fashionistas to start pitching a little passion for the planet. Making eco-friendly clothing choices no longer means sacrificing in the style department, as even mainstream retailers have launched socially responsible clothing lines. Pick up a pair of Loomstate jeans, made from organic cotton grown without synthetic fertilizers (Jake Gyllenhaal wears 'em!) or make your next pair of Chuck Taylors from Converse's hemp line. Stella McCartney has expanded her vegan-friendly fashion empire to include ethical skincare products made without petrochemicals or silicone, and even market giant H&M has introduced an organic cotton collection. Bono and wife Ali Hewson partnered with an NYC designer to create Edun, a socially-conscious clothing line made using sustainable employment methods in developing countries, and Bono successfully launched the (Product) RED campaign to generate cash for the Global Fund to fight AIDS. Check out the surprisingly beautiful totes made from recycled newspaper at raw-bags.com, or pick up a stylish Marc Jacobs canvas shopper to lug home your conscientious cache.

trend report - rock chic

Rock 'n' roll and fashion have always gone hand in hand - think Blondie, the Stones, Madonna, even Aerosmith. Done right for the decade, rock chic never goes out of style. This season, morph a few leftover boho pieces to pull off an updated rock aesthetic - pair last year's skinny jeans with Wayfarer-style sunglasses and a fringed scarf for an effortlessly cool look. Smoke out those eyes, show off your favorite band on a tee and cap it all off with a floppy fedora for a Saturday night gig. Master the art of layering, toss in a few vintage finds and sprinkle on the attitude, and you're set.

trend report - romance

If sharp colors and menswear-style pants are too bold for your palette, fear not. A lighter, sweeter trend into the world of romance should supply the fashion antidote. Think soft pastels, ruffles and frills, pale lemon and lovely lilac - in luxurious fabrics with intricate detailing. Play up your femininity with lace or anything ruffled, or pair hard and soft by matching a romantic blouse with your favorite denim. You'll feel fresh and pretty in this flattering trend and be perfectly attired for a balmy spring day.

Trend report - black and white

Black and white can hardly be considered a "new" trend, but this classic combo has re-emerged on runways and red carpets for the past few seasons. Last summer's ubiquitous striped tee has given way to a more sophisticated take on the timeless match, so brighten up your wardrobe this spring with a crisp floral print dress or checked tunic. Don't toss those stripes quite yet - just doll them up with a dressier pant or well-heeled pump. The yin and yang of color is being worn from head to toe, from hats and totes to dresses, jackets and flats. Channel a little Chanel with this classic mix.

trend report - the swing coat

Swing into spring with a 60s-inspired swing jacket to ward off the last of the winter chill. Huge buttons, round collars and simple lines characterize the mod shape of this season's hottest little coat. With a cropped style that fits cleanly at the shoulders and floats gleefully away from the waist, the swing jacket can be worn on just about any body shape with a flattering result. Pair a pink puffed sleeve version with your favorite pair of jeans or top a pencil skirt and heels to wow the girls at the office. Rival Rachel and Nicole with your take on this versatile trend.

trend report - bright colors

As the weather warms up for spring, so should the colors in your wardrobe. Vivid, saturated tones are making the jump from your window box to the closet. Lucky for us, color doesn't discriminate - fashionistas of any age or size can pull off a punch of pink with a bright bag or brilliant-hued scarf. This playful look can be appropriate for any occasion, from your Monday-morning meeting (in fact, it may even wake you up!) to a night on the town with friends. Make an impression with an electric blue tunic or let a pair of yellow patent pumps speak for themselves. Get happy with color! This fad is an instant mood-lifter.

trend report - the wide leg

Sick of the skinny? For fashionistas with any hint of hip, skinny jeans are perhaps the most unflattering trend to emerge in recent years, creating the unenviable silhouette of an ice-cream cone on even some normal-sized girls. Style relief is on the way with the arrival of a figure-flattering alternative... Please give a warm welcome to the wide-leg pant. Balance the proportion of a wide-leg pant or jean with chunky wedges or platform heels and top with a floaty blouse to play up your girly side. This trend can follow you from the office into cocktail hour with a pinch of sophistication and the look of money - no matter how much (or how little) you coughed up at the counter.

trend report - metallics

This is the first installment of a new feature on Frugal-Fashionista. Trend reports will feature my favorite fashion fads and hopefully provide inspiration for how and where to find wearable, inexpensive alternatives to the looks we covet. Our fav fashionistas are being spotted everywhere in metallics, from the red carpet to the local Coffee Bean, proving the versatility and wearability of this shimmery trend. Pair a simple silver shift with opaque tights for a modern edge, or dress up your denim with a copper tote or gold flats. Channel your inner Nicole or Sienna with your own brand of heavy metal.