SPRING sprung a surprise on me.

I was expecting cheerful, smile-inducing colours and so many flowers in bloom that would make any self-respecting aunty quiver; and I got dark tones andsharp lines instead.

Where have all the floral prints gone?

Maybe the fashion world hasn’t got over the global gloom. If it’s taking so long for it to recover from the economic crisis, I hate to think how it’ll react to the roster of disasters in the past two months.

Still, there are bright – but muted– sparks. There are the sleek and clean collections, where clothes are sportswear inspired and are lean, simple and structured.

Then there is the sheer look, so don’t be shocked if your colleague turns up in a sheer blouse that reveals her bra. Avert your eyes if the sight disgusts you because, in my experience, those who are determined to expose are usually those unworthy of exposure.

And prints are in, though floral prints seem to have taken a backseat. So think graphic and ethnic prints for the next few months.

And since what I’ve found are womenswear, here are some menswear Spring trends which you can use as a shopping guide.

The strongest look – and one that will make Singaporean males happy – is the lazy, unstructured look. Think of it as comfort dressing.

But remember, there is a fine line between comfort dressing and being sloppy. So the rule of thumb: Whatever you’ll wear to the coffee shop for breakfast is not right for town.

Nylon will be a prominent material for men, as well as any fabric that suggests weightlessness. The silhouette is oversized tops over skinny bottoms and lots of layering, with sun-bleached variations of red, blue and green. And, sigh, still no flower prints.

The Uniqlo +J Spring looks – as designed by designer Jil Sander – is what you would expect from the German designer. It’s a quiet collection of discreet shapes and muted colours. The collection looks expensive but it’s not. The prices are very affordable: You can get a jacket from $79.90 and $49.90 for pants. Find the collection at 313@somerset.	For those who don’t want to handle an entire outfit of print, a print T-shirt is the best solution. Levi Strauss Signature has a limited edition Art Tees range, which is a collaborative project with three graphic artists: Troy White (US), China Stylus and Kerick Wong from Hong Kong. And like the +J collection, the prices are friendly – two for $29.90. The entire collection is in the stores now.
This is a lovely accessory for Spring. The Kipling Ugochi S bag ($159) is about the size of The New Paper folded in half, and has lots of compartments. The print on the bag evokes the feeling of a day by the beach, which is always welcomed after a week of work. The collection is available at Kipling boutiques at Bugis Junction, Ion Orchard and VivoCity.	One of the key looks for Spring every season is the nautical look. There must be something about the season that makes one want to go on a yacht. At FOX, the Sailor Chic collection is a limited, mini one, so if you see a piece you like, get it. The collection features embroideries, charms, gold buttons, red ribbons and the classic blue and white stripes. The items start from $19.90 and have hit the stores.

This article was first published in The New Paper.