The one week of warm weather before the official start of spring taunted us with the promise of freedom, especially in the midst of the dreary winter. Before we realize it, sweaters will be packed away and jeans will suddenly become shorts as spring materializes. The sweet, sweet taste of the welcoming weather keeps us on our toes as we anticipate spring trends, both old and new.

What would spring be if not for pastels? The emergence of bright colors will coincide with our emergence out of our winter cocoons. Expect tart pinks and light blues to dominate the hallway mirrors.

Neha Patnik ‘18, says her favorite aspect of spring fashion is the adaptability of colors: “Everything [in spring] is very colorful and pastels go great with the season. [Spring] also [means] versatile colors like black and white, which go great with anything.” The colors at Ridge High also tend to skew a bit more tropical—think the bright punch of Lilly Pulitzer shifts and watercolor-like rompers. Spring is predominantly a season of color and a bright, welcome relief after the winter blahs.

The prevalence of rompers and billowy 70s-style pants has taken Ridge for a spin. Rompers and jumpsuits, both fairly modern silhouettes, challenge fashion norms while allowing for maximum comfort. Wide-legged, 70s style, loosely constructed pants give a gentle, breezy vibe despite the normal stressors of high school life. Topping off each outfit, accessories add the perfect final touch with a fleet of gold bangles or layers of petite chains around a neck. Perhaps a reaction to the constricting winter or the restraints of daily life, RHS students now seem to favor looser, relaxed silhouettes and stacked jewelry, evoking minimally extravagant luxury.

Alternatively, there’s always a shift toward minimalism and comfort in the breaking dawn of spring. Spring always does seem to encourage a shift towards light clothing that’s fresh, clean, and crisp to capture the feeling of a fresh start. Michael Hackett ‘17 picks out his favorite spring shirt: “[I’d pick] this one white button down I really like because it’s light and summery.”

Fashion always captures the essence of spring, and the luxury of perfect, ephemeral weather. The passing of time at the end of another school year dawns upon us with each increase in degrees Fahrenheit. Why not seize the moment with the freedom of sartorial expression? Let spring weather inspire your latest, daring pursuit in style! After all, spring’s only here for a little while.