April showers have yet to bring May flowers this year, but spring 2006 is already budding with crisp innovative styles and glimpses of past infusions within the fashion market.

The verdict is in, and designers want the trends to fall back in love with the past and simplicity. For the spring season, stores and designers have their creations blooming in 19th century antiquity style.

"The Victorian look is definitely prevalent," said Debbie Batarse, a young contemporary assistant merchandiser for GUESS?, Inc.

Vogue Magazine echoed Batarse in an article from its January 2006 issue where it alerted trend followers to take a trip back in time.

"Look for some old-fashioned detail that [adds] a layer of personal or aesthetic history ... [to] introduce a note of humanity and emotion," the article said.

This year, as stores begin to toss their inventory of bulky winter clothes aside, shoppers can expect to see more of a smart-chic style with offbeat edges. Alongside the lace and ruffles, in for the revival of a "romantic-like" age, tweed jackets and shrunken blazers are finding themselves popular again, with a rogue accent of unfinished business.

However, the reintroduction of this lovely look means style seekers will see less of the bold flamboyant colors that usually bloom in the springtime. The color scheme making the rounds of this season's looks consist more of the nude, buff colors with small pops of colors.

The absent of a little color, this spring, is part of another overall trend toward keeping looks uncomplicated and simplistic.

"It's a lot more fresh and simpler look," said Andrew Hartvigsen, manager of GAP, Inc. in Boise, Idaho. "It's a clean back to basics."

To help fashion gurus achieve an uncluttered look, tops will stay long and come out in linen fabrics and hand stitched-looking apparel, including woven and knit.

Also this season is about keeping the look clean and comfortable, while maintaining a catchy, sharp image that's sophisticated. While traditionally that may mean bland and boring, Hartvigsen dispels the myth that having a clean look means being confined to just contrasting solids.

"We've got a striped version of everything," Hartvigsen said. "Stripes are in."

Like every new season of fashion, something is expected to be everywhere and something is expected to take a back seat. This season style experts said to expect less "bling" on everything.

Jeans with rhinestones and elaborate embroidery have been minimized and are now curbed to back pocket details, along with the snap-flap pocket.

The style of pants in general is also moving toward a cleaner look by straightening up to the narrow or cigarette cut.

In the end, whether the mood calls for a trip back to antiquity or a striped image of sophistication, the demand this season is to simply be original.

(For comments, e-mail Megan Carleton at: megs719@byu.net)