The weather is still cold, and according to the groundhogs we still have another six weeks of winter to go. But regardless, in a fashion state of mind, I can't stop thinking about spring and summer. It's always been that as soon as Christmas is over, I no longer care about the snow. Call me a bad Canadian girl, but I love lounging in the sun and walking in the warm weather.

In fashion, there are only two seasons to a year: spring/summer and fall/winter. 2010's spring/summer collections have been out for about a month or so now and all I can think about is new trends. Dressing for summer is a lot simpler but doesn't mean you have to lower the fashion standards.

You may think I'm crazy for even starting to shop for summer, but stores are bringing in new stock and with college and university reading weeks coming up, a lot of people are going on vacation. My big sister is leaving the country, but for more than a vacation. She's going on an exchange to Australia for six months, and right now it's summer for the Aussies! So, packing away dresses and flip flops was fun for her, and a little depressing for me. But, after watching her re-pack a million times and a little research of my own, I've put together some tips to packing well and what not to forget when shopping for summer time.

First of all, what I would spend the most time and money on is a bathing suit. There are a lot of things to consider when buying a new suit or deciding which to bring along. I love one piece suits, but if you want to get a good tan all over they are out of the question because they provide too much coverage. Think about tan lines but also focus on support and fit before anything else. If you're going to be lying on the beach all day, string tie closures are fine. But if you plan on maybe going surfing, or doing some serious swimming, make sure you're not wearing a top that is liable to come off easily. Tops with wires in them are always better, and stay away from light see-through shades. Throughout this years Resort collections, I saw a lot of crazy prints and bold colours. There's a definite 70s disco vibe, so I say go all out with your suit's print but choose colours that go well with your skin tone and hair colour.

Next you'll need a cute cover up to wear on the way to the beach. I've never been a big fan of sarongs, but I do know after seeing our own fashion students coverups first hand, that there are a lot of options you may not realize. My favourite coverup are harem pants, a pair big enough to be worn as a one-piece sort of jumper that you can easily pull on and off in seconds. I also love cute hooded cloaks, almost like a bathrobe— they're perfect for hiding from the sun (and maybe unwanted attention from the opposite sex), but make sure you're always going with a light flowing fabric that won't have you sweating.

Shades and flip flops are equally important, but I don't believe in investing the big bucks here. Flip flops don't last forever, they get dirty and worn down and often end up breaking after a season or two. But, I don't think that if you spend more money on flimsy sandals that they will prove to last longer still. Sunglasses are tough, because there are so many gorgeous designer frames, and I am not one to promote buying fake- it's just tacky. However, unless you are a devoted buyer and a careful owner, don't invest hundreds into a pair of shades! I've known so many people with Raybans or Oakley's that have been lost or broken within weeks (or days) of purchase. Not all mishaps can be repaired, and it's a real shame when you invest so much money into an accessory and it ends up getting crushed under someones foot after being left lying around. Unless you're going to watch them like a hawk (which can be exhausting) go for a moderately priced pair from somewhere like Aldo or Urban Outfitters that still look as cute for a fraction of the price.

When packing and shopping go for items that can be mixed and matched. Plain tank tops always come in handy, as well as shorts of solid shades that can be worn more than once a week with various tops. For trips, pack a ton of cute dresses - they can be worn to the beach and then right out to dinner and will probably end up being all you'll want to wear if the weather is hot. Remember staple items like a plain cardigan for evenings, a pair of black heels, and maybe a jean skirt. Even for those who love the snow, you can't avoid the summer fashions beginning to appear in stores so you might as well do it right and look fabulous whether you're surfing in Australia or roaming the streets of London in just a few months.