RETAIL ROUNDUP: Thinking fashionably early

The sun was shining early Thursday morning — another sign that spring and summer are on the horizon.

So how will you dress yourself for the sunny days to come? Newport-Mesa retailers say dresses are popular so far. For men, it’s clean lines and a more tailored look rather than the baggy duds.

Black may never go out of style, but bright colors line the racks of local shops with colored denim and sunny prints.

“I think fashion swings on a pendulum … it has been darker, there’ve been neutrals and white — although white is a really big trend this season too — it’s become a color,” Bianchi said. “Fashion is just in a great upswing right now and clothes are bright and fresh.”

For women, it’s all about dresses this spring. Regardless of style or length, be ready to see ladies wearing the feminine frocks.

The most popular is the baby-doll dress, with its high waist and usually shorter hem. But most dresses with an empire waist — one that falls between the natural waistline and the bust — are finding their way off the racks and into people’s closets. The trapeze-style dresses — which is a swingy, tent-style dress — are also popular.

The whimsical looks include bright patterns, including 1960s-inspired florals and other colorful looks, said Melanie Michaud, a spokeswoman for Bikini boutique in Corona del Mar Plaza.

The vintage-inspired styles are popular alongside the real thing, said Mark Werts, owner of American Rag Cie in Fashion Island. The store sells vintage and designer clothes, but the young people who shop there seem to be snatching up the stuff their parents may have worn.

“Many times trends start with younger people who don’t have a huge wallet … vintage sales continue to be extremely strong,” Werts said.

MAN FASHION

After the 1990s spawned the grunge trend, the style pendulum seems to be swinging back, as men’s fashion is oozing style and clean looks. Straighter-legged, more form-fitting denim pants, paired with a classic fitted T-shirt are the style. Pairing those with tailored jacket finishes off the polished, but truly California-casual look.

“It’s good taste rather than a trendy style,” Werts said.

So get rid of the boxy, baggy shirt and pants, and spring for a nice pair of jeans. Looking for a simple shopping experience? Head to the Camp in Costa Mesa and check out Blankstyle, where they specialize in nothing but simple shirts, jackets, sweatshirts and designer denim.

“It’s all about the silhouette, streamlined look,” said Jeannie Lindstrom, manager of Traffic in South Coast Plaza, which carries men’s and women’s clothes.

PRICE POINTS

Just like the many styles and colors, dresses and shirts come in a variety of price ranges.

A department store will generally have a large selection of more affordable clothes along with the higher-end designers for men and women, so they can be a good place to go if you’re not sure what you’re looking for.

Don’t want to burn a hole in your wallet?

For ladies who may be short on dough, Forever 21 in Fashion Island can be a godsend.

Dresses there generally start at $20 and rarely exceed $30. But while the price may be right for some, the quality is not going to be the same as a higher-end garment.

Urban Outfitters at the Lab in Costa Mesa has a wide range of prices and styles for men and women. Hipster dresses will run around $60, although you can find prices north and south of that.

At American Rag Cie, a customer can pick up a vintage dress for about $40 or $50, but the store charges up to $800 for some of its top designers.

Among $200 bathing suits, racks of reasonably priced dresses dot the sales floor at Bikini in the Corona del Mar Plaza.

Some of the most popular dresses average about $50, and other more elaborate designs can cost up to $130.

At Traffic, dresses range from about $250 to $600.

For the guys, T-shirts are offered in a range of prices, but “it’s not just a T-shirt you buy in a three-pack anymore,” as Bianchi said. T-shirts can range from around $20 to over $100.

Check out Traffic or Diesel at South Coast Plaza for some great higher-end styles.