Spring fashion goes electric

It is electric. Electric, saturated hues.

Felicia Hernandez, one of the buyers at Wild Lucy's in Yakima, has done her research and found that the colors of the season are grass greens with electricity; saturated purple instead of lavender; fuschia, which "is like hot pink's older cousin"; and most importantly, aqua.

Whether you're out shopping for slacks, skirts or a dressy jacket, she says, you're likely to see colors that "pop."

Look for shiny fabrics -- silks and faux-silks, rather than cottons -- along with increasingly popular big prints.

As for overall style, "we are embracing our femininity," Hernandez says of women's fashion. "No more hiding behind T-shirts."

Night-time fashions will include silk-scarf inspired loose-fitting tank tops and blouses. It's dresses, not skirts.

"This summer is about strappy flat sandals or heels, but not wedges."

And never mind that retro preppy look.

"Bermuda shorts were so two years ago," jokes Hernandez. Longer shorts are still in style, but they are much looser fitting.

Daytime styles, meanwhile, are taking on a more "ethno" or ethnically inspired look.

"There will be more neutral colors, Japanese-inspired prints, and of course the boutique print," says Hernandez, "which is similar to tie-dye, but more intricate."

For your feet, look for flat sandals, "like the jeweled sandals that came into fashion last summer," she says.

Sometimes politics do get woven into people's choices about what to wear, and this year, jewelry and other accessories seem to be all about the environment. Glass beads from natural sources, as well as hemp-style bracelets and necklaces, will be very "in."

There is one last important trend Hernandez made sure to mention -- the metal for this season is gold, not silver. So for all of you who hid your gold jewelry in the back of your closet, it's safe to be worn again.

And for those who prefer silver, not to worry. It's likely to be back in style again soon.

* Wild Lucy's, opened by Dawn Garland in February 2007, is located at 418-B S. 48th Ave. Phone: 965-LUCY (965-5829).

* Alyssa Patrick, a junior at Eisenhower High School, is student editor of the Unleashed teen section of the Yakima Herald-Republic.