As the blanket of snow slowly melts here on the Hill, this spring’s fashion trends are already starting to make appearances around campus. Following closely on the heels of this winter’s prep school and athletic grunge trends, the spring forecast calls for a resurgence of prep school classics for both men and women, accessorized with a healthy dose irony.

“This season is all about looking the same as last year. It’s all about putting in the effort to look like you didn’t put in any at all,” says Nora Cromwell ’11, daily clothing wearer. “It’s all about year-round, androgynous pieces like bean boots and lacrosse pinnies, you know? Things you can mix and match.”

After the wildly popular salt-stained Ugg and Timberland boot trend of the winter season, the experts’ predictions for spring are all about staying the course. “We are definitely going to be still be seeing a lot of Uggs and Tims this season, but we are also going to see a return to the Colby favorite: the boat shoe,” says Elliott Ruvelson ’13, self-proclaimed ugly-thing-liker. “Needless to say, Sperrys are really a year-round shoe. I am happy to see them make a comeback at Colby.“
Although shapeless pieces like Colby sweatshirts and ironically colored Patagonia fleeces are all the rage right now, the prep school trend has manifested itself in a classic silhouette this season that is exclusively for women. “Thankfully, we can look forward to the perennial return of the Tory Burch Flats, black leggings and North Face fleece combo. It’s a look that really embodies what this season is about: Maine minimalism and comfort. It’s a look that really says ‘I just got out of bed and ran to class,’” says Ellen Wilbur ‘12, a native of Connecticut and expert online shopper. “It’s a great look that anyone can feel comfortable ordering online. Some people are worried that it’s a silhouette they can’t pull off, but that’s just the beauty of it: nobody can.”

Such classic outfits stand out with unique, original accessories like dark blue or green North Face backpacks and pearl stud earrings. Liz Davis ’12, a Maine resident and clothing owner, says, “It’s all about Longchamps bags. I like to buy mine in colors everybody already has. That way if someone wants to steal it, I’ll never know. Also, Vera Bradley.” Clutch wallets complete with pockets perfect for a cell phone and key card are must-have items. For a special touch, try clipping your College-issued whistle to the key ring.

As for the men on the Hill, it appears as though this season’s trends will piggyback off of the previous seasons’. The College’s male students express their fashion identities by donning timeless garments like salmon pink Vineyard Vines fleeces, sailboat adorned belts, and chino pants in various shades recalling Easter eggs. Some male students prefer to show their rugged side and strut around campus clad in camoflauge hats, Carhartt pants, and heavy flannels. “You are going to see that guys are going to be wearing a lot of what they were wearing this winter. It’s a very exciting time for men’s fashion on the hill,” says Oli Borgna ’11, Italian male.