Is it safe to say that spring is here?

We hope so - we're ready to put away the shades of gray and black that dominated fall and winter fashions, and brighten up our wardrobes.

But what to shop for to freshen up your look for spring `08?

We've rounded up six big trends to tap into.

TREND ... TRIBAL

This look is most sharply defined by bold (and often) bright prints that have a hand-crafted appearance, including batik, woven and strong geometric patterns. Accessories include painted wood beads, faux bone, animal prints and woven pieces.

Spotted:

Old Navy turns the trend into an urban safari.

Tips for wearing it:

"Have fun with embellishments," says Laird Borelli, an editor for Vogue's Style.com. She suggests looking for details that copy Africa's Maasai tribe's legendary beadwork (bright, primary colors). She also advises finding a silhouette that hangs close to the body if you're going to choose a loud print. In fact, to keep from looking like you're going to a costume party, choose pieces that have modern construction - long, loose tanks and short A-line dresses.

On our model:

Alice & Trixie Francesca zebra dress, $305, Hot Poppy Couture. Michael Kors Naughty chocolate brown sandal, $285, Stanley Eisenman's Fine Shoes. Xhilaration orange shell and brown wood earrings, $6.99, chunky wood bracelet, $11.99, Xhilaration brown bead bracelet, $6.99; all from Target.

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TREND ... NEO-HIPPIE

This doesn't stray too far from the boho trend that's been popular for a while, but expect to see more vibrant colors and more prints, like tie- and dip-dying and paisley.

Spotted:

At Anthropologie, which never really moved on from boho chic.

Tips for wearing it:

Accessories can be key to this look. Gina Kelly, fashion editor at Seventeen, suggests picking up a pair of gladiator sandals, a summer scarf or a slouchy hobo bag.

On our model:

Moon Katz tie-dye dress with front draping, $230, Hot Poppy Couture. Preston & York gold necklace, $32, Dillard's. Marc Fisher M. Flixie sandals, $49.99, Macy's.

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TREND ... TRANSPARENCY

If tribal is this spring's wild side , transparency is its softer side. Look for sheer fabrics over or under others, dresses with peek-a-boo insets and bits of lace.

Spotted:

Local boutique A. Hooper has soft, floaty tops and dresses that revel in their transparency. Even conservative Banana Republic has a sleeveless chocolate-brown knit dress with crotchet-detail holes that reveal a slip underneath.

Tips for wearing it:

Layer, layer, layer, Barelli says. That sheer blouse needs to be worn over a tank top or under a blazer. Or, simply find a piece that incorporates layering for you.

On our model:

Young Essence sea-green top, $76, Whimsy. Karen Kane jeans, $128, Dillard's.

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TREND ... SATURATED, BRIGHT COLOR

Look for bright blues, yellows, purples, greens, pinks - shelves and racks look like Skittles- bag explosions. If this season has a single overriding theme, color is it.

Spotted:

On everything from bright yellow patent shoes to hot pink dresses. Preppy J. Crew and Ralph Lauren are especially awash in color.

Tips for wearing it:

Choose your hue. If you look horrible in yellow, wear pink or purple instead. Any color goes, as long as it's bold, experts say. Match a bright blue dress with yellow patent shoes as in the J. Crew catalogs for a vibrant, youthful look. Not sure you can handle that much color? Pair that dress with blue print sandals that echo, but don't compete, with the hue of the dress. Keep nail polish neutral.

On our model:

Roman Holiday dress in Pacific by Jones New York, $150, Dillard's. Xhilaration wood-heeled floral sandals, $17.99, Target. Yellow and white enamel bracelets, $15 each; gold bracelets, $5 each; all from Ruby.

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TREND ... FLORALS

No matter how you like your flowers - small and dainty or candy-colored and large - you can find themit this season. "Florals are everywhere," Borelli says. "Designers found their green thumb."

Spotted:

Big, red poppies at Ann Taylor and feminine little buds at the Gap.

Tips for wearing it:

Temper florals in eye-catching colors with a dose of a neutral, such as black or white, says Joyce Corrigan Caruso, fashion editor at Marie Claire. Washington Post fashion editors advised readers recently to pair floral frocks with edgy accessories to keep from looking too frumpy. They also recommended modern silhouettes for these floral fabrics, like structured minidresses.

On our model:

Star-fruit print top in coastal blue, $168, and lemon sorbet enamel cuff bracelet, $92; both from Lilly Pulitzer. Mossimo, white- stretch shorts , $17.99, Target. Hammered- disk drop earrings, $20, Ruby.

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TREND ... CONTEMPORARY ART-INSPIRED

Think stained-glass and beautifully blocked geometric patterns. Or look for fabrics that look like they've been painted with brush strokes. Art-inspired looks range from soft impressionist-inspired pieces to contemporary abstract patterns. Again, color rules.

Spotted:

In Vera Wang's line for Kohl's.

Tips for wearing it:

A little bit of this trend goes a long way, Caruso says. Pick one thing.

On our model:

Michael Kors, yellow print button-front smock top, $78, Dolce Vita. Yellow tank, $12, Dillard's. Isaac Mizrahi dove- gray slacks, $34.99, Target.