Fashion: Spring selections

LIGHT DENIM

Expert: Stacy Larson, owner of Covered

Her pick: Anything yellow, like a blousy top with lightweight denim or light-colored denim. It's very 1970s, bohemian.

Avoid: If you're going to wear the tent dress from last year -- belt it. I'm really into skinny belts. Put the belts a little bit lower; don't do the baby doll thing.

Try: Silk blouse ($49) by Collective Clothing and Serfontaine X-fit flare jeans ($196), from Covered, 402 14th Av. SE., Mpls., 612-378-4776, www.shopcovered.com. Second location opening this month at 1201 Lagoon Av., Mpls.

SHEATH DRESSES

Expert: Nanette Lepore, fashion designer

Her pick: A bright solid-colored dress with a structured shape. The sheath dress is less flowy and chiffony.

Avoid: All black. It's too somber, unless it's a sexy black dress, which is always good. It's OK to use black basics to anchor something more fun, like a black cotton shirt with a tribal-print full skirt.

Try: Nanette Lepore sheath dress ($305, available April 22), from Arafina, Galleria, Edina, 952-925-1565.

PATENT HANDBAGS

Expert: Joy Gryson, handbag and shoe designer

Her pick: A fun bag in a solid bold color or pure white in patent and woven textures. Lighter weight bags are a definite plus this spring.

Avoid: Boots. I love boots in the fall and winter, but in the spring/summer--be free, let your feet and legs go bare and show off a great pair of sandals!

Try: Gryson for Target patent satchel ($44.99), available at select Target stores and www.target.com.

GREEN FOR GUYS

Expert: Jason Hammerberg, Minneapolis-based designer of Humble and Rarity (www.humblefashion.com)

His pick (for men): A green shirt. It's not as much of a stretch as pink or purple and it's fresh for spring.

Avoid: Saggy, droopy shorts that go past the knees. In general, get rid of the baggy oversized clothing and get out there and buy stuff that's trim fit or modern fit. That means your shirts, too -- if you tuck your shirt in, there shouldn't be inches of extra fabric around your waist and hanging out around your beltline.

Try: Humble patterned shirt ($95), available at VState, 3001 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-823-4699, and Elsworth, Highland Bank Court, 811 LaSalle Av. S. (skyway level), Mpls., 612-339-0763.

BRIGHT COLORS

Expert: Stacey Bendet, Alice + Olivia designer (www.aliceandolivia.com)

Her pick: Bright-colored dresses and shoes are a must for spring.

Avoid: Sequins! Last season was filled with sequin tops and dresses. This season should be less about sparkle and more about color.

Try: Alice + Olivia for Payless shoes, available at Payless, Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-858-8132 and www.payless.com.

NEUTRAL MAKEUP

Expert: Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist

Her pick: Keep eyes and lips soft using pretty colors like bronze or even pastels on the eyes and light pinks or nudes on the lips.

Avoid: Over-bronzing! The tan-orexic look is so outdated.

Try: Mally Beauty High Shine Liquid Lipstick in Nudeshine ($20) and Eye Shadow in Bronzilla ($18), from QVC.com.

WARM BLONDS

Expert: David Adams, technical artistic director for Aveda

His pick: Blonds will be warmer -- creamy, honey and butter. Even women who don't want to color their hair can brighten it with a glossing treatment or a semi- or demi-permanent color. It makes hair incredibly shiny.

Avoid: Bleached white hair and definitely don't go darker.

Try: Hi-Glossing treatment, $53 to $70, at Juut salons, see www.juut.com for locations.

BOLD PRINTS

Expert: Sara Rogers, a Twin Cities wardrobe consultant who throws styling parties, www.sararogers.com, 612-396-4720

Her pick: Prints! They are really big on handbags, shoes, scarves, belts, tops and dresses. There are so many options -- tribal, floral, geometric. Choose whatever appeals to your personality.

Avoid: Voluminous trapeze jackets and baby dolls. The volume is a little more controlled and scaled in now. There's also more structure in the sleeves.

Try: Short-sleeve cardigan ($88), from J. Crew, see www.jcrew.com for locations.