Life as Char Knows it: Are you trendy?

Why is it that come spring we get that sudden urge to be at our most fashion forward? Is it because the flowering season is more inspiring than the others? Is it the sprouting greens, the delicate honeysuckle purple and vibrant daffodil yellow which pull us out of our shapeless wraps and lengthy cardigans despite the blustery breeze biting at our goose pimpled legs?

I'm not sure what it is, but I know spring is the season for my insatiable spending. Every shop window display invites my meandering eye and draws me so close to the automatic doors that I'm forced to go in and browse for at least 15 minutes, before grabbing my decaf macchiato from Starbucks.

That's one of my favourite activities; sipping on a sugary hot beverage whilst scanning the racks, even if I'm not really 'hard core' shopping, I just like to gaze absentmindedly at the floral prints and the yummy bright colours, pass my hand through the light spring fabrics, and remind myself that eventually it might be warm enough to wear them in this country.

So how do you navigate your way through the myriad of looks this season is offering? I'm sticking to four key spring trends that I'm going to mix and match to keep them fresh into the summer months.

The *trends I'll be following this spring will be...

*All items can be found on www.asos.com. Click on the pics to go straight to the site.

WESTERN

It's a bit of cowboy, a whole lot of denim and some tassles thrown in for good measure. Double and triple denim is especially popular this season and it will still keep you reasonably warm on those cooler spring days.

Key pieces

Left: Cropped fringe jacket
Centre: Killah boyfriend shirt
Right: Denim Wrangler dress

Accessories

Left: Brown leather mocasins
Centre: Leather fringed studded bag
Right: Fringed brown satchel

MILITARY

Again this is a good trend for those who aren't quite ready for bare arms and legs in Britain, just yet. It's also ace for those of us who prefer muted or darker colours which are usually more slimming. Epaulets, studs and crests are details to look our for.

Key Pieces

Left: Stone coloured chino trousers from Asos.
Centre: Khaki long line vest, Mango
Right: Khaki military jacket

Accessories

Left: Leather body bag
Centre: Leather studded cuff
Right: Dogeared skull detail wooden beads

TRIBAL

This trend is not for the faint hearted. You can get really inventive with bold clashing prints, billowing maxi dresses, head scarves, beading and braids; it all works. Wear with a tan and chunky silver jewellery.

Key pieces

Left: Africa cut out back dress
Centre: Princess Tam tam playsuit
Right: Asos African shift dress

Accessories
Left: zebra print flat sandals
Centre: woven yellow clutch
Right: trio of wooden bangles

PASTELS

It's not so much a trend as it is a theme, especially for the high end designers. Stella McCartney, Fendi and Michael Kors among many others are using candy colours, and a whole range of nudes, beiges and taupes to really flatter all skin tones this season. It's basically a really easy way to look feminine and ultra girly. Draped, sheer fabrics flatter everyone and keep you cool on those rare sun filled lazy spring afternoons.

Key pieces