Time of the Season Every new clothing season opens with a few sure winners, even for fashion conservatives like ShopGirl

I have a confession to make: I’m a closet conservative. As in, my closet is conservative. More so than one would expect from a woman who shops for a living.

It has taken me a very, very long time to break out of my usual colorful top and black pants routine. Much of my wardrobe consists of jeans and sweaters, and though I have a passion for fashion, I’m usually a little slow to warm up to anything faddish – by the time I do, it was so five minutes ago. I’d rather cut my losses and invest in a nice cashmere sweater or a really flattering pair of pants.

Of late, I’ve been expanding my repertoire to include cropped pants and a few shoes in colors other than black, but don’t expect me to start dropping thousands on right-this-minute handbags and dip-dyed sequin-embellished miniskirts.

The word “trendy” makes me a little leery, even more so now that I’ve passed the big three-oh. I don’t exactly feel like mutton, but more like fully grown sheep dressed as lamb.

Still, I follow the trends in my own way. Inevitably, the changing of the seasons ushers in a few fashion duds – was anyone else horrified by the return of leggings? But each season has a few sure winners, such as spring’s crisp whites. Forgive me if my spring trend report looks a little tame – no cherry-print bubble skirts here. As someone a little hipper than me might say, that’s not how I roll.

1. Gauchos and Bermuda shorts: As a friend said in reference to gauchos, “Those pants can either look good or grotesque – it’s a very fine line.” That would be the panty line, and it should be avoided at all costs. When in doubt, buy the next size up. They’re supposed to be drapey anyway, and they’re even more comfortable that way. As for Bermuda shorts, they hide a multitude of sins, they’re stylish without any possibility of looking ridiculous, and you can find them everywhere from Target to Talbots. I really hesitated about buying both styles, but I’m glad I did. I’m not going to trend them all up with heels and a fluttery blouse, though. I’m going to dress them down with a T-shirt and flip-flops for casual days. (Gauchos $10 at Target; shorts $26.50 at New York & Co.)

2. Stripes: Old Navy has the full, candy-colored striped skirt. Target has the Isaac Mizrahi pink and white striped dress. I have New York & Co.’s khaki-on-khaki striped trousers. They were only $16.50 and they sum up the spirit – if not the sugary sweetness – of this trend.

3. Bold accessories: Natural materials such as wood, shell and bone have been popular for a while now, but this spring’s crop of shell belts ($20 at Metropolitan Soul) and necklaces ($3.50 on clearance at Kmart) are about as good as this trend gets. Another favorite? Big costume-jewelry beads. I have a collection of vintage beads, but you can find new ones everywhere this spring – Filene’s has one of the best selections I’ve seen.

4. Wedge heels, espadrilles and fun prints: I can’t walk in wedge heels. The last time I tried I sprained an ankle. That said, I love them and have been window shopping for them all season. Some of my favorites come from Filene’s and Marshalls. As for prints charming, the pictured peep-toe pumps from Nine West have been purchased by two of the trendiest gals I know. They have my endorsement. For espadrilles, I like Old Navy’s options – I want the beaded ones with a wedge heel, but I’ll probably buy the printed pair of flats for safety purposes. Shoes at left $75, at right $60, both before discount at Filene’s.

5. White is right: If you’re like me and wear all black all the time, this should be an easy, if radical, concept to grasp. White is THE color of the season, or noncolor as the case may be. If you’ve got white fright, work it in one piece at a time. Try a pin-tucked skirt.($44 at Filene’s) Or a tailored white blouse (check out the options from Portland-based shirt maven Jill McGowan at Terra Cotta in Ellsworth). Or a sweet dotted Swiss button-down from New York & Co. ($26.50) You can’t go wrong. Honest.

6. Best-dressed: If you love dresses, this is your time to shine. Check out the Anthropologie catalog, which is loaded with romantic, flowing, vintage-inspired pieces. Try Target’s wrap dresses. If I had to choose, I’d pick the Max Studio layered-mesh dresses at T.J. Maxx and the pictured Free People jersey dress – oh so flattering – from The Grasshopper Shop. ($88)

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.