The Slouchy Pant vs. The Skinny One

This, as they say in the fashion industry, is a trend with legs. Not because it's a pant, but because it's totally wearable for all kinds of body types and is poised to be available at all levels of the retail spectrum. Far less extreme that the dropped crotch harem pants from the past two seasons, the slouchy pant for Spring 2010 is anything from a khaki or chino with a little more room through the hip (as seen at Tommy Hilfiger) to the flowing wide legged beauties from Isaac Mizrahi, Marc Jacobs, Badgley Mischka, Oscar de la Renta and so many more. Girlawhirl's proportion rule: keep the top slim to balance fullness on the bottom.

And just as in life, where opposites attract, Girlawhirl can see that her ideal closet for Spring 2010 will contain as many skinny pants as they do full ones. First of all, it's a look she loves – even when it's not particularly of the fashion moment. For Spring 2010, it looks like the skinny pant is an essential part of a slim suit – whether in muted plaid from Anna Sui, shocking color at Donna Karan or with a motorcycle inspired jacket in the hands of Christian Siriano. Girlawhirl already knows how to rock her slim legged look, but for Spring 2010, it's as if she's been granted permission to take it even further; fitted tops are now part of the equation.

Layers: The Boyfriend Blazer and Vests

Was it just Girlawhirl, or were there very few cardigans on the runways for Spring 2010? It seemed like the Boyfriend Blazer just plain took over as the topper of choice, with options that range from open and oversized to more tailored and fitted at Charlotte Ronson, shorter on the Carlos Miele runway and belted – to contain the volume, at Diane von Frustenberg. Girlawhirl's keeping an eye on vests as well – she figures they'll evolve into the latest layering sensation soon enough.

Abstract Prints and Plenty of Pretty Color

Of course there were enough neutrals – khaki, black, brown, taupe, grey – to keep working women suited up for their jobs, but what Girlawhirl was thrilled by were all the beautiful colors she saw coming down the Spring 2010 runways; bright clean turquoise, orange and hot pink at Anna Sui, to softened coral and turquoise, and all the shades necessary to create pretty ombré effects, at Carlos Miele. But it's when all this gorgeous color was used to create prints and pattern that she was practically overwhelmed with the results. Perhaps there's a mental angle here – is she so hopeful and optimistic about what Spring 2010 will bring – a strengthened economy, lower prices, and perhaps most important to her well being, the ability to practice all this moderation that's been preached (and applied in her case) throughout the past year – that just the thought of these pretty flowers and abstract patterns calmed her like nothing else. Practically every designer participated in the print and pattern party, from the abstracts at Doo.ri, Christian Siriano, BCBG Max Azria, and Carolina Herrera to the florals at Luca Luca, Michael Kors and Richard Chai Love.

Denim and Chambray:

Always part of the mix in Girlawhirl's closet, all kinds of denim – skinny, slouchy, shredded and even tailored were shown on the Spring 2010 runways for New York Fashion Week. Derek Lam's denim zip front belted dress is already on Girlawhirl's spring shopping list. And even newer was chambray – denim's lighter weight cousin. Anna Sui made a cute chambray dress with flowers embroidered along the hem, Lacoste showed a hooded chambray dress and Charlotte Ronson threw a chambray shirt over a cropped top and shorts.

The Jumpsuit

Perhaps, since she's been seeing them on runways for over a year now, Girlawhirl's less worried about the practicality issues associated with actually wearing a jumpsuit, they're definitely growing on her. Whether it's DKNY's bright pink beauty with harem pants, a sleek black double breasted beauty from Charlotte Ronson or the flowing flowery versions at Richard Chai Love, she's keeping an eye out for just the right one to add to her Spring 2010 wardrobe..

And as for everything else? As with all seasons, there's plenty more to get excited about: sheer and shine are two always important elements for spring. Short skirts and shorts have Girlawhirl already consulting with her trainer on an exercise regimen that will have her thigh-ready come spring. T shirt dresses, like those shown at BCBG Max Azria and DKNY will definitely find a place in Girlawhirl's closet. Ruffles are a huge part of the mix – designers used them everywhere - on tops, skirts and pretty layered dresses.

photos courtesy of fashion wire daily and image.net