Hippies continue to inspire spring fashion

Have you seen all the tie-dye in the Spring 2009 collections? It's unreal or should I say something totally cliche like, totally far out man! Jimmy Choo, D&G and Alice + Olivia, among others bring some 60s and 70s peace and love to the mix. I'm wondering if perhaps the revival of Hair last summer in Central Park is to blame for the resurgence of the summer of love?
Tie-dye is one of the "it" prints this spring and is absolutely everywhere as a result. I have to tell you, the Rebecca Minkoff tie-dye addition to her classically shaped Morning After bag (pictured right) might be calling my name, loudly... Also as an FYI, printed and patterned bags are pretty big for spring, so one might as well combine two trends into one great accessory (accessories are usually the easiest way to experiment with trends). Miss Sixty ran with this trend and kicked it one step further showing totes in the same print as their dresses on the runway.

You can channel your inner 70s sweetheart over and over for spring with the many bohemian inspired pieces quite similar to tie-dye but instead are dip-dyed for the ombre effect. Ombre (fading from a darker color to a lighter tone) has been a key look for Fall and Winter 2008, so it's no surprise to see it continue and evolve throughout the spring. Might I suggest this ombre maxi dress from Alice + Olivia? Yes, long maxi dresses are still big for the spring too! So if you hadn't been brave enough to try one last spring or summer, you should definitely get one for this spring.

Tribal prints, ikats, and batiks also have their role in spring and you'll see on various style and retail sites (Bloomingdales and Shopbop both have great trend presentations for Spring expounding on the bohemian and tribal looks I touched on here)many tops, dresses and bags with these bold prints are categorized as global or traveler trends or gypsy- boho or neo-hippy. I'd like to think of us as the echo boom flower children, but I digress. I think that Tory Burch has really done well with the ikats and tribals for spring and she has issued her classic canvas totes and tunics in various prints that support the global hippy aesthetic quite well.

Of course the trend has been in the works for a long while now, but you can still throw on a headband like Rachel Bilson (pictured), Nicole Richie or Mischa Barton - and flash a smile and a peace sign like LiLo if you would like to embrace the spirit of the trend without buying a whole new wardrobe.