Nauer: Spring to break in fashion

I sit here in my fuzzy boots and warm scarf beginning to write this column, as many of you… I sit here in my fuzzy boots and warm scarf beginning to write this column, as many of you anxiously await spring break. Seven whole days of sleeping in and lying around. For some that are lucky enough, it means sprawling out in the sunshine on a hot sandy beach. So I’ve surfed the Internet from Ireland to come up with the best spring break essentials for those of you vacationing in the States. Step into spring break in style with swimsuits, shorts and sandals. This year take a break from your boring swimsuit basics and strut your stuff in something a little more eye-catching. Floral prints seem to be sprouting up everywhere this spring, and swimsuits are no exception. To keep your look fresh, think softer and more feminine garden-party florals as opposed to big, bold Hawaiian hibiscus prints. Flowers not your thing? Throw out your classic stripes and polka dots and opt for big bold graphics in bright colors or take a walk on the wild side with animal prints and tie-dye styles. Bored with the basic triangle shaped top? Update with ’50s-inspired pin-up girl halters or go for a bandeau to put a fresh spin on the bikini. Check out surf brands like Billabong and Roxy at pacsun.com for inspiration. For guys, the look seems to be the same, with big colorful graphics dominating the selection from brands like Quicksilver and O’Neill. What better way to give off a cool surfer chick vibe than covering up your swimsuit with itty-bitty destroyed denim shorts? To fake the ‘I’ve had these shorts for years’ look, Abercrombie ‘amp; Fitch undoubtedly has the best. Its shorts come in differing levels of distress, various washes and either cuffed or un-cuffed hems in varying lengths. My pick is the ‘Cleo,’ a superlight wash pair with ‘raw-edged hems, blown-out holes and bleach stains.’ Perfect. For surfer dudes, a worn-in T-shirt in a neutral tone to offset bright board shorts should suffice. There’s only one thing you’re missing now to complete the perfect beach outfit ‘mdash; sandals to keep your tootsies from roasting in the sizzling sand. If you decide to ditch the flip-flops in favor of something a little more fashion forward, my favorite continues to be the flat gladiator sandal. It’s easy to walk in, yet super stylish. This spring there’s an endless variety of this strappy sandal. The more decked out the better when it comes to these babies. I love any pair with snakeskin and studs. Steve Madden, just a short bus-ride away in the South Side, has one of the best selections. The ‘Shockerr’ comes in a black-and-cream-colored faux snakeskin and has a sweet double buckle at the ankle. According to stevemadden.com it will also show off your ‘fabulously tan feet.’ But my favorite shoe is the ‘Banglez.’ With intense, varying studded detailing, it’s sure to add a little rock ‘n’ roll edge to your beach look. Available in black or silver leather, this shoe looks like a flat version of the heel that was paired with the impossibly cool clothes seen on French design house Balmain’s Spring 2009 runway. Taylor Swift also sported a look-alike pair in a TeenVOGUE photo shoot in the March issue.’ I’d suggest guys just stick to the tried and true rubber flip-flop, though. Enjoy stylin’ in the sunshine while it lasts, after next week there’s still the second half of the semester to get through. What a bummer. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Bon voyage!