CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
Dressing pretty in pastels and prints is one hot look for Spring 2013.

Even though this winter isn't quite over yet, a girl can dream. There's no better thing to daydream about than a wardrobe overhaul, swapping out heavy knits and layers for colourful spring pieces! Luckily, the fashion gods have brought us plenty of drool-worthy items to fantasize about. If you're fortunate enough to be heading south this Reading Week, pick up on a few of these trends early, and you'll stun in the sun.

This spring, bold colours and prints rejuvenate classic silhouettes. The main colour palettes to look out for are black and white, pastels and boldly coloured floral and graphic prints. A key to this look is to keep the shape of your clothing simple and streamlined, to let the prints speak for themselves and be the centre of attention. While you may only be brave enough to wear one print at a time, fashion-forward celebrities have been spotted working the mixedpattern look. Extremely difficult to pull off, this look says either you're edgy and confident, or colour-blind and clueless.

If you'd rather work one printed piece at a time, here are some great ideas to consider:

The shoe of the season is most definitely the pointed pump. A departure from the stacked platforms that have been the go-tostiletto for the past few years, these babies are single-soled (which are less comfortable, unfortunately), pointy-toed and skinny-heeled. They are a classic and elegant shoe made edgier and funkier by the season's colours and prints. Opt for a fun pair in black and white stripes or colour-blocked pastel shades and you will be the envy of all the girls. To make the shoe the focal point, choose an outfit all in one shade — but make it a sharp contrast to the shade of the shoe. A black and white pair pops with a red dress, and your sea foam green ones stand out against dark-wash denim.

Fashion-savvy ladies will be looking to add prints in less expected places, such as in the pants department. Typically a more solid colour zone, this season, graphic printed bottoms are a hot ticket. Typically high-waisted, loose-fitting and cropped at the ankle, these pants are definitely not for every girl. However, you can make them work for you by choosing a flattering fit, and pairing them with simple tops and accessories.

Up top, jackets are definitely having a moment. For spring, the trench, the moto jacket and the blazer are key players. While always a classic, the trench coat has been updated in candy colours, such as tangerine, and modern finishes like metallic. The moto jacket, seen in leather for fall and winter, has survived the cold weather and emerged for spring in light cotton and denim. Pale pastels like mint green and baby blue function as neutrals and top off a printed ensemble nicely. A printed blazer is an easy and eye-catching way to take a simple jeans-and-tee look to the next level.

While I could go on all day, this has been a short list of the top trends you want to know about before you shed your boots and parka. This year's Groundhog Day predicted an early spring, so for fashion's sake, let's hope Wiarton Willie got it right.