Time flies, and spring is nearly upon us. What better reason to hit the stores? Whether you need a few new items to update that slightly tired wardrobe, or you plan to earn some serious frequent flyer miles on your credit card, there's something for everyone this spring. A variety of styles, colors and fabrics let women and men look their best and feel comfortable. So read and learn, as the fashion gurus from Neiman Marcus and Macy's tell us what’s "in" for spring.

Joan Kaner, senior vice president and women's fashion director for Neiman Marcus, says femininity graces the collections this season with ruffles, floral prints and embroideries, beading, lace and sheer layers in light and whisper-thin fabrics. Blouses match your mood, whether it’s the ultra feminine peasant blouse or capped sleeve white cotton top, and "jacket blouses" fit beautifully to offer a replacement to your traditional jacket for the office.     Kaner also suggests buying a new dress this spring, in a style ranging from chemise to A-line to empire and strapless for evening in fabrics like chiffon, organza, soft silks, tulle, taffeta and shimmering metallics. What a great excuse for a special evening on the town.     Spring looks also are designed for women on the go, says Kaner. New designs allow for freedom, and their slick city polish gives new meaning to the word "sportswear." It used to be form over function; well, no longer. As we approach the millennium, the two worlds unite in luxury fabrics like ripstop silk, canvas, silk poplin, sailcloth and nylon synthetics in neutrals of gray, beige and white with hints of bold bright orange, yellow, deep red and olive green. Pants for the spring season are slung low at the hip. Choose from looser Capris or the cargo pant in colors like khaki, olive, neutrals and grays.     Kaner also says that "Japonisme" continues to grow and evolve as a major fashion influence. Geisha girls of yesterday turn modern with looks that are clean and minimal in line with emphasis on textured fabrics and asymmetry. Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and others show clothes that drape and wrap the body in black and white with clear shots of colors like fuchsia, coral and raspberry, with the surprise of exposed seams. Look for kimono touches on sleeves and fabrics that are luxurious and artistically enhanced with surface textures.

Lauren by Ralph Lauren menswear-inspired styles are right for women when transformed in soft hues in gray pinstriped cuffed trousers and dark sandtrap hooded trench coat.

    Like his industry colleague, Macy's West fashion director Bill Bigler says spring 1999 will be about softness and ease. Clothes will loosen and flow away from the body, rather than cling to it — "stretch fabrics" are designed for comfort, not for molding to the body. Skirt lengths will be anywhere from the knee to the ankle and trousers will be soft, fluid and "flat front." A new emphasis will be placed on sweater and skirt ensembles that are polished and perfect for the office.
    Combining rough and romantic with a fresh emphasis on raw, natural fabrics, designers deliberately use frayed edges, shirring, smocking, gathering and the like to create details in this trend, especially with linen or linen-like fabrics, says Bigler.
    Pure, crisp colors like zinc oxide, egg white, chalk, snow and white will be the top colors. In fact, white will be everywhere, mixing with popping hot brights, mellowing mid-tones and even spice tones. It’s romantic, sassy, sexy, sporty, classic, modern and anything but basic this spring.
    Bigler also reports that gutsy zippers and kangaroo pockets will adorn sweaters, while hoods and drawstrings will continue to perk up basic tops. Every length of pant will be offered, from short shorts to knee shorts to Capri, pedal pushers and cigarette pants that hit right at the ankle. Knits will play a key role, with the bateau neck sweater appearing everywhere.
    And finally, the Latin world has its influence as well. When the weather warms, look for hot colors that evoke the feeling of South America and the Caribbean. Toreador Capri pants are paired with peasant blouses, as are full dance skirts with tango strap Mary Jane shoes. Hot florals against black, sheer layers, fringed trims, colorful embroideries and playful polka dots add a further Latin spice to the mix.

Men will be pleased to know that "comfort" also is the word for this spring's fashions. Designers are putting the ease back into dressing, with evidence in everything from sportswear to softly constructed suits and elegant linens. They look and feel good, says Colby McWilliams, vice president and men's fashion director for Neiman Marcus.     Look for ultrafine wool, cashmere-silk, linen-silk and cotton-silk blends as well as strong patterns of checks, stripes and plaids that can be worn together. Details are side vents, ticket pockets (for evenings at the theater) and the surprise of a colorful pocket square or handkerchief for special springs days. Look for classic browns, grays and navy or sophisticated combinations of brown with gray.     French cuffs and spread collars continue to be strong, and gray is the color of choice in neckwear. Must-haves are satin-striped ties in a wide range of colors, but strong stripes and printed wovens also are popular. Pale colors are making a return for fine dress shirts — especially pale gray or desert pastels.     In the spirit of the millennium, new technology brings elements of stretch, shine, texture and sheerness to both natural and synthetic fibers. Look for separates with sporty inspired details such as drawstrings, Velcro, zippers, hoods and functional pockets as well as cargo treatments on trousers, shorts and jackets. Also showing are unconstructed blazers, windbreakers as jackets, sheer layering and the increased importance of v-neck styles in knitwear.     The short-sleeve shirt makes a comeback this season and, says Williams, this is not your grandfather's shirt. Look for square-bottomed camp shirts in a wide range of fabrics and prints, short sleeved knits and light T-shirts. Long-sleeved button-down shirts in checks and plaids are popular, and v-neck sweaters are the "new uniform" for downtown. The flat-front pant is being shown, thanks to its clean minimalism and comfortable mobility — look for more of this style in the coming years.

This high v-neck shirt with a tubular bottom with Neiman Marcus' Private Label is available in several colors for active spring wear.

    Linen and cotton in hues ranging from sand to taupe create relaxed yet sophisticated menswear, reports Macy's Bigler. In fact, linen re-emerges as the new fabric choice and is most often mixed with silk, wool or cotton.
    Blue is an important color for tailored clothing this season, with an emphasis on navy suits in pinstripes or textured solids, sport coats and jackets, complemented by dress shirts and neckwear in a variety of pale blues. Lighter-weight fabrics and colors transform this season's pinstripe suit from serious to newly relaxed — a perfect option when paired with pale colored dress shirts and striped ties.
    The urban spa look also influences menswear classics with washes of white — the emphasis on laundered shirts and knits, which look particularly sharp with a pair of chinos. And, just out of the white zone, look for pales in most every color of the rainbow. Barely there hues of blue, green and yellow replace bold and intense colors. When combined with tailored looks and sportswear, these pale shades update and complement wardrobes with the season's neutral trend.