Despite the ever changing weather of the past couple of weeks, spring is indeed on its way and you know what that means: a brand new wardrobe. Chances are you are still in “winter mode” and have not thought of wedges and skirts as much as you have thought of parkas and boots. To further complicate matters, the spring 2012 fashion shows were way back in September when I know I was personally more concerned with football games and transitioning back to being on campus. Of course, a lot has happened within the course of the past five months in the fashion industry itself (resort, pre-fall and couture have all shown in between now and September), and two weeks ago marked the beginning of the fall 2012 fashion season. So it is no wonder that what spring brought to the table last fall (the fashion industry loves getting ahead of itself) can get a little muddled.

So I headed downtown to check out what local stores have their eye on for spring and scoured the fashion shows for spring 2012 to combine spring’s must-have looks and trends so you can be ready when the temperatures finally cooperate.

What to buy now and look forward to later:

• Bright pastel colors. Ralph Lauren probably is to blame (or thank) for this trend after showing a collection for spring 2012 that even an Easter basket would appreciate. What I saw exploding from the walls at local boutiques were mostly turquoises and corals, both of which are actually very wearable for class.

• Color-blocking in 2012. Last year’s color-blocking trend composed of harsh colors such as red and green have devolved this season to include rich corals offset by turquoise and sky blue (or vice versa). Just make sure that you remember that this is still color-blocking and it is best to keep accessories and shoes neutral.

• Emerald green. I think this is the trend I am most excited for because green is a color that transcends skin tone or hair color, something very rare when it comes to color. This rich, dark green is popping up on dresses, blazers and even shorts and add a fun touch to an otherwise boring outfit. Check out BB Dakota’s Galant dress for a fun spring look.

• Peplums. Take a page from Jason Wu’s show and try a peplum skirt in a bright color. Although it might seem too whimsical for class, it can actually be a great way to be unique on a small scale. If you are feeling a little more daring, try a peplum top, but make sure you pair the flared top with a bandage skirt or skinny jeans (something to balance out your proportions).

• Nautical. It seems to pop up year after year, but nautical cardigans and tops seem to be a constant for spring fashion. But put away your Sperrys and khakis, this nautical trend consists of striped tops in navy and white or little striped dresses like the ones I saw at Envy Boutique downtown. As with most trends, make sure you pick only one nautical-inspired piece and keep the rest casual to avoid looking like a crewmember.

• “Great Gatsby” inspired. With Carey Mulligan and Leonardo DiCaprio set to star in the film remake later this year, Fitzergerald’s “Gatsby” trickled back into the mainstream and fashion sphere for spring. So what does this mean exactly? Look for fringe, flapper-style dresses and hats à la Daisy Buchanan. Look to Marchesa and Gucci for eveningwear done right in this vintage style or Tory Burch and Marc Jacobs for daywear. Once more, a note of caution: Vintage-inspired clothing can look a little dowdy if you go overboard, so pick one piece and save the rest for another outfit.