YAKIMA, Wash. -- Rachel Madsen wants her clothes to make a statement. She wants them to say she's girlie, comfortable and sexy -- all without costing a fortune.

"I think that being a bargain shopper, whether you are a student or not, is important," said Madsen, 24, a senior at Central Washington University. "The key is knowing what you want."

As a fashion merchandising major, Madsen keeps tabs on the latest trends. For spring and summer, she's seeing a lot of ethnic- and tribal-inspired themes. The romper and skirt are replacing the dress, and high-waisted skirts and lacy items are still going strong, she said.

But rather than hunt for high-end designer clothing, Madsen said there are plenty of ways to expand your wardrobe on a budget. For her, that includes shopping at stores like Forever 21 and Target, which carry trendy clothing at reasonable prices.

"Target is super on trend and has really good quality," she said. "Their grading system is actually the same as Nordstrom's, and your things won't fall a part."

Trends are dictated by a variety of factors -- including what's happening politically, culturally and socially, said Andrea Eklund, assistant professor of fashion merchandising at Central.

Designers showcase their collections, the press decides what to feature in magazines, and buyers choose what to stock in their stores, she said. From there, consumers decide what to purchase.

Trend forecasts are decided 18 to 24 months ahead of the selling season for colors and six to 18 months in advance for styles, she said.

"It's really complicated," said Eklund about the trend-setting process. "There's a lot that goes into it."

For this spring and summer, she said there's a lot of '90s-inspired looks. Plaid and floral prints are making a resurgence, and very short shorts are in vogue. Corals and neutral shades are popular, as well as clothing with a feminine, military-style influence.

"Make sure you have the right style to flatter your figure. Make sure the color is right," Eklund said. "Have great staples. Don't spend all your money on trendy stuff."

Women should invest in classic pieces, Eklund said. The little black dress -- with a style that flatters your figure -- should hang in every woman's closet. Wide-leg or straight-leg pants elongate the body and look good on everybody, and a pair of dark jeans are a must, she said.

"The darker the wash, the thinner you'll look in your jeans," Eklund said. "Having a more straight leg or trouser-type of leg in your jeans will make you look taller and thinner."

These days, she said designers realize the average person wants to be fashionable -- which explains why Vera Wang has a collection at Kohl's.

"You can go into all these big-box stores where most people are shopping and get designer clothing," Eklund said. "There are great things at thrift stores and second-hand stores, too. You can get some really great finds."

Melissa Triber, one of Eklund's former students, is now living in Los Angeles and studying product development. She created a blog -- seewhatmelsees.blogspot.com -- showing how you can make a statement by wearing clothing from vintage stores, H&M and Target.

When she completes her schooling, she wants to work as a fashion forecaster and trend analyst.

"Your body is a blank canvas," the 23-year-old said. "I change my style every day. I'm really inspired by art, photos and music. I put on what I'm inspired by for the day."

A mix of masculine and feminine clothing is coming into style, as are sporty clothes, she said. She's seeing a lot of knee-high socks, boy shorts and hot pants, in addition to neo-expressionism -- '80s-style neon prints with a mix of airbrushing swirls and jewel tones.

"There is never anything that is really out," said Triber (although she loathes jeans and leggings worn simultaneously). "Make sure it's comfortable and fits you. If you're not comfortable in it, it's out of style for you."

As a rule, women need to dress in styles that work with their body types, Eklund and Madsen said. That's why women older than 25 should stay clear of the junior section and not be hung up by sizes.

"What was a 14 for Marilyn Monroe is now a size 6," Eklund said. "You have to go with what fits. That's really important. It's just a size."

Madsen agrees, saying she'll splurge on items she loves but stays clear of clothes that don't fit -- no matter how cute they are.

"If it doesn't fit you in the store, it won't fit you at home," she said.

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.

Bargain shopping tips

1. Shop with cash only. If the money isn't already in your checking count for those must-have boots, don't buy them.

2. Hit the discount chains.

3. Shop out of season. Look for spring and summer items in the fall, and fall and winter looks in the spring.

4. Look for online deals. Sign up for e-mail newsletters from retailers to get coupons and updates on the latest sales.

5. Shop trends carefully. Spend the bulk of your wardrobe budget on quality pieces and look for deals on the trendier looks.

6. Think in color palates. Don't buy anything that won't go with at least two or three other items you own.

7. Shop vintage and consignment stores. You can make money on clothes you don't want while shopping for new looks.

8. Learn how to sew. Learning how to make a few simple alterations -- like replacing buttons and hemming pants -- can save you a lot of money.

9. Care for your clothing. Use gentle detergents, avoid the dryer when possible and hang and fold clothes properly to make them last longer.

-- Source: budgetstyle.about.com/od/styleessentials/tp/save_money_on_clothes.htm

Fashion must-haves

When touting what's hot and what's not, women's fashion magazines are in agreement. Here are some of the latest trends for spring and summer:

* Hot pants and boy shorts.

* Knee highs and over-the-knee socks.

* Sporty clothing.

* Military fashion.

* Jump suits.

* Ripped jeans and torn denim.

* '90s-inspired plaid and floral prints.

* Coral colors.

* Ethnic- and tribal-inspired prints and colors.