Pastels: The Spring Trend We're Wearing Now

Spring 2012: Alexander McQueen (photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images), Louis Vuitton (photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images), Alexandre Herchcovitch (photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
For spring 2012, fashion designers transferred their obsession with brights to lighter (but no less bold) hues, churning out confections in mint green, cotton candy pink and icing blue. Designers including Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton and Alexandre Herchcovitch churned out sorbet-colored pieces with the frills, bowls, tiered ruffles and other delightful froth you'd expect with colors befitting of bridesmaids (though theirs were way more sophisticated than your standard wedding fare). Phillip Lim, Chanel and Adam, on the other hand, show more streamlined silhouettes with color-blocking and piping details.
If, like us, you don't want to wait until Easter Sunday to try the pastel trend, shop now for the same colors we saw on the runways for spring, but in wintry fabrics like wool, cashmere and silk. Then pair the pieces with darker colors like grey and black. We bet you won't be the only one; listings for "pastels" in the Clothing, Shoes and Accessories category on eBay are up 5 percent in the past 90 days compared to the prior period.
Here's how to catch the look now and later.

3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2012 Runway (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images); Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Spring Summer 2012 Runway (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images); Chanel Spring Summer 2012 Runway (Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images)
NOW: Be ahead of the trend game for fall by wearing wintry basics in creamy pastel shades.
-
New Blue Wool Straight Leg Ruffle Pants
(buy it now price, $79.99 ) -
New Wool Blazer
(buy it now price, $39.99 ) -
Down Convertible Puffer Jacket
(buy it now price, $191.99 ) -
Vintage ‘60s Mint Green Crochet Cardigan
(buy it now price, $34 ) -
New Knit Winter Hat
(buy it now price, $10.96 )
LATER: Choose sophisticated (but skin-baring) silhouettes in cupcake colors.
-
Pastel Peach Ruffle Dress
(buy it now price, $369 ) -
New Polka Dot Chiffon Blouse
(buy it now price, $24.99) -
New Yellow Silk Pleated Mini Skirt
(buy it now price, $59.95 ) -
New Linen Jacket
(buy it now price, $169.99 ) -
Baby Blue Chino Shorts
(buy it now price, $17.99 )