Long and loose: Spring skirt lengths dip

The temperatures are slowly rising to springlike, but don't expect hemlines to follow. The big trend for the season is longer lengths -- from below-the-knee skirts to flowing maxi dresses.

Consider the new shapes a breath of fresh air, says Patrick Robinson, creative director for Gap. "When you come out of such a hard winter, I think people will be looking for soft, easy clothes that you can wear only in the spring."

The looser and more languid look also seems a commentary on shoppers' collective state of mind. Perhaps they are willing to give up the sleek, fitted armor they wore to do battle with the recession. Robinson says consumers had been looking for protection but now they're looking for signs of optimism. "We've done the sharp edges . . . we want the softer pieces to remind us of the change in seasons . . . we want things that help us feel carefree."

Just be careful how you wear it, suggests Marie Claire editor in chief Joanna Coles. Maxi dresses are hard to wear to the office if it's at all conservative, Coles says. "A calf-length skirt is on trend, but it's not as flattering as knee-length," she points out. "What you can't go wrong with is a bottom that really flatters you."

"There's nothing you need to be afraid of here," says Robinson. His tips: Pay attention to proper tailoring, even though the style is looser, and mind your proportions; keep it feminine; and embrace the easy attitude.

STICKING WITH A TAILORED LOOK?

Not quite ready for long skirts? Wide, long-leg pants are an easier way for many women to move into the look, says Lisa Axelson, senior vice president of design at Ann Taylor.

Style experts suggest pairing really wide trousers with a peasant top to get a maxi feel that's somewhat toned down.

"I love a flared pant with a sandal," says Barneys New York fashion director Amanda Brooks. "If you want height, wear a platform, or wear a flat -- but it has to be open-toe." She says she's going to mix the trousers into her wardrobe alongside her skinny pants and the new super-short shorts she bought -- although New York weather is unlikely to cooperate with their debut for a while. -- AP