2010 Spring and Summer Fashion Trends: Recycling is This Year's Theme

The summer months allow us to put jeans and sweaters in the closet and infuse our wardrobes with brighter colors and lighter clothes. Luckily for those on a tighter budget this year, a lot of the 2010 summer fashion trends we're seeing on celebrities are repeats from seasons past. That's good information to have before you start throwing out what you thought was irrelevant clothing in an impulsive spring cleaning attack.

Nautical and Military Themes Highlight 2010 Fashion Trends

Considering the influx of nautical and military themes we saw in our favorite boutiques last summer, most people already own a few items reflecting this trend. In April 2009, Rihanna rocked a Balmain denim jacket with military details that sent buyers, stylists and fashionistas into a frenzy. More recently, Kim Kardashian has been seen wearing a red and white striped shirt, tucked into a camel colored mini skirt, putting a sexy spin on a trend that's usually more masculine than feminine. The nautical trend is easy to pull off with a striped top paired with some denim or camel colored shorts. Finish the look with a few contrasting accessories (think red and gold if your shirt is blue) and shoes, and you've got an effortless outfit that you can probably already pull from the depths of your closet. The military look is also quite simple to achieve if you stick to tans, tobaccos and olive green-colored shorts, skirts and jackets. If you're missing any of these spring/summer staples, worry not! Your local Zara store (www.zara.com) is fully stocked with nautical and military trends right now.

Ice Cream-Colored Pastels Pack Summer Fashion Power in 2010

Pastels have never been my favorite colors, but nobody can deny that a lavender or a mint green looks incredible when paired with a tan. This is exactly why we've been seeing this trend on red carpet. Lea Michele is a perfect example; she recently wore a gorgeous cotton candy pink Zac Posen number to the Kids' Choice Awards. Although pastels are a typical trend for spring, this time around, the colors pack more power. When you're shopping, stay away from colors that could be described as "wimpy" or "ashy" and instead look for items that look like a "creamy" version of your favorite color. If you're like me, and you naturally shy away from pastels, try introducing them into your wardrobe through accessories, bags or shoes. You may surprise yourself and end up enjoying this warm-weather trend more than you anticipated. However, if you're already prepared to take the plunge into pastels, BCBG (www.bcbg.com) has plenty of cocktail dress options in creamy colors.

Graphic and Floral Prints Find Their Way into 2010 Summer Fashion Collections

Celebrities like Leighton Meester have been spotted wearing interesting prints on the red carpet. You can easily wear this trend, too, as long as the prints are graphic or floral. We've frequently seen florals in spring before, but if you want to deviate from the norm, try something bold. Prints you might usually consider to be too loud in seasons past are suddenly in style, unabashedly decorating dresses in bright colors. Look through the racks at Forever 21 (www.forever21.com) for inspiration in both types of prints.

Nudes and Whites Recycled; Check Out New Takes on the Little White Dress

The bad news is that we see nudes and whites every single spring and summer. The good news is that considering this, we're already prepared to face this trend head on. So until the temperatures start to drop, put your little black dress in the back of your closet. Why not switch it out with a little white dress? Or for a more head-turning look, take your cues from Jennifer Aniston who showed us how hot a flesh-colored cocktail dress can be when she wore Valentino Haute Couture at the German premiere of The Bounty Hunter. To imitate her barely there look, check out Shopstyle.com (www.shopstyle.com). If you're looking for a new take on the little white dress, White House Black Market is the perfect destination. (www.whitehouseblackmarket.com)

Blazers a Versatile Fashion Choice for 2010 Summer Evenings

Another trend that we've seen with frequency is the incorporation of the blazer. It's a trend that just won't die. Celebrities like Eva Longoria and Drew Barrymore are fans of the blazer, probably due to the fact that it's so versatile. You can pair one with shorts and a tank or a casual t-shirt and leggings. Both looks are great for a cool summer evening. It's a more polished alternative to a sweater or hoodie. The best part about this trend is that you can find blazers anywhere from your local department store to a less expensive option like Ross or Marshalls. Just be sure that the one you buy is fitted because it's hard to make a box-shaped blazer look good.
If you've learned anything from this rundown of 2010 spring and summer fashion trends, I hope it's that you'll see many recycled styles this spring/summer, and while you may want to shop for the newest version of older trends, you certainly don't have to this season! So whether you're in the mood to spend or save, you can still look up to date.