Spring Ahead -- Into Skirts!

This spring, it's all about the skirt.

They're brighter, fuller, and much more feminine than in previous seasons -- and they're the "in," "new" look.

And the latest issue of Glamour magazine has the best trends for 2008.

On The Early Show Friday, Suze Yalof Schwartz, Glamour's executive fashion editor at large, spotlights several outfits highlighting skirts for the season.

This spring, Schwartz says, colors are amped-up pastels -- not quite neon -- but certainly brighter than your usual spring Easter fare.

Silhouettes this season are certainly much more ladylike -- much more feminine, and certainly much more romantic than in previous seasons. Think volume when you think of spring skirts -- voloume is key.

Schwartz started with an Oscar de la Renta skirt; he set this trend in motion!.

LOOK 1 - THE TREND

No one does a full skirt better than Oscar de la Renta, and this look from his pre-fall show is one of my favorites.
TOP: OSCAR DE LA RENTA
SKIRT: OSCAR DE LA RENTA
SHOES: OSCAR DE LA RENTA

LOOK 2 - EVENING

This full taffeta skirt from Verrier is practically a circle and its volume is enhanced by the two extra layers of mesh and polyester underneath. The cinched waist highlights Meena's petite frame and an edgy but polished top from Mint dresses up the look.
TOP: MINT
SKIRT: VERRIER
SHOES: STEVEN BY STEVE MADDEN

LOOK 3 - SLOUCHY CHIC

Usually, we warn women with larger busts to stay away from fuller-length skirts, because they risk making you look large all over. But the sheer panel on this Cynthia Steffe skirt highlights Amy's great legs and the relaxed Banana Republic sweater makes the look easy, polished, and pulled-together.

SWEATER: BANANA REPUBLIC
SKIRT: CYNTHIA STEFFE
SHOES: NINE WEST

LOOK 4 - FIGURE FLATTERING

Celeste is wider in the hips, so a full or a-line skirt is perfectly suited for her body type, camouflaging the widest part of her body and drawing attention to smallest part - her waist. We usually warn people about shiny fabrics, but the raw silk on this skirt by Kate Hill has the perfect amount.

TOP: KATE HILL AT LORD & TAYLOR
SKIRT: KATE HILL AT LORD & TAYLOR
SHOES: STEVEN BY STEVE MADDEN

LOOK 5 - DAY TO NIGHT

The rule is: the higher the waist, the shorter your torso will look, so letting this shrunken cardigan sit outside the top of this skirt instead of tucking it in creates more even proportions on Nicole. The dressy satin of the Mint skirt is balanced with a bright cotton cardigan from J Crew, making this the perfect look to transition from the office out to meet friends for dinner.

SWEATER: JCREW
SKIRT: MINT
SHOES: VALENTINO (closet)

ALL JEWELRY IS FROM COLOR-CRAFT

To visit Schwartz's blog, click here.