Brightening Up For Spring

Spring clothes are brightening the racks in stores across the country, and there are many trends - and colors - in bloom this season.

The Early Show's "Focus on Fashion" series continues Friday with resident style maven Christy Ferer, who globetrotted from New York to Paris last season to get a sneak peek at spring collections.

"It's time to see what looks have translated from the runway to reality," says Ferer.

"Banish the black" and "pretty makes a comeback." Those were the two key fashion messages that resonated across the ocean.

"I loved all the green with the lime and the flowery things," says Heather Mills, wife of Paul McCartney.

It was the candy colors that turned out to have staying power. Designer Lily Lacoste rolled out a hue-happy collection last fall that looked like a pack of Lifesavers.

And, Michael Kors swore we'd all look good in Sunkist orange.

"It looks great on everyone and you can wear it with khaki, white, navy," the designer says.

Also, the feminine dresses floated in from the runway to the racks, some with the featherweight fabrics seen at Calvin Klein.

"Spring is a season of dresses, lots of dresses," says designer Max Azria.

And, patterns are proving to be power players. They were everywhere in Paris. Even Chanel used floral to put a new twist on classic tweeds.

Also in the mix, was the trench, which is said to be a must-have piece this spring.

"Everybody wanted trench, every single year," says designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Spring trends are already being put to the test on the streets of the most fashionable cities. In Paris, the fashion laboratory of the world, there were plenty of athletic all-stars running around – Converse All-Stars, that is. The athletic gear appeared to be the foot fashion of choice in Paris.

In sunny Los Angles, where spring is already under way, the fashion of choice was jeans -- cuffed and tapered as they were in the 1980s. Also, color was alive and well.

But, Ferer says, you don't have to live in a big city or have a big wallet to get the trendy looks. Just take your shopping list to a mass retailer such as Target. The rainbow colors and plethora of patterns bounding down the runways can be found at retailers with budget prices.

And speaking of affordability, Ferer says don't forget to hit the local vintage or thrift shops for a great find. Many of the looks this spring are heavily influenced by vintage textures, colors and cuts.