The fashion gods have spoken.  Two of the hottest trends for this spring are the sporty look and the maxi dress with high splits.  Here are some ideas for wearing these two chic new fads.

Light, airy fabrics are showcased in maxi dresses this year as opposed to the heavier fabrics of the short thigh high styles from last year.  The sex appeal of the dresses resides in their high slits, sometimes reaching to the top of the thigh or hip.  “Movement and flow are a big part of the charm” as well.  Look for dresses with a center split, a single side split, or if you are really daring, dual side splits.  Flat shoes are really not the best choice for accessorizing this trend, so pull your sexiest heels out of the closet and let them shine.  Bare legs, thigh highs, or interesting stockings such as fishnet are all sultry choices to wear with a high slit.  For any weddings, parties, or special occasions you might have, this is the perfect trend to wear.

The sporty trend is a little more difficult to pull off since there isn’t one basic characteristic you can look for.  The upside of this is the versatility and ability to pull off this look with items already in your closet.  The sporty trend falls into four simple categories according to fashion experts, “the tomboy, the sporty flapper, the urban dancer, and the Bond bombshell.”  On the casual-to-formal scale, this fad falls somewhere between gym wear and weekend, glamorous casual.

Knee high socks instantly add a sporty vibe to many outfits, so incorporating them is a great idea.  Cross lacing, similar to baseball gloves, boot laces, and footballs is another characteristic to look for in tops, shoes, and as an embellishment.  Side braids are a great way to suggest cross lacing without aggrandizement.  Mesh fabrics, such as those worn by basketball or soccer players is a cool and comfortable fabric to add to your wardrobe.  Shoulder pads can recall football players, while cut off tees make one think of cheerleaders.

“The cool factor” of the tomboy sporty look “is engineered by way of cropped tops, pants low slung to expose the waistband of an under-layer; leather cross-lacing, jersey fabrics, football-style shoulders. Woven into the effortless tomboy look are super-feminine elements like sheer fabrics and high heeled shoes, placing the look firmly in 2010.”  The confident, fun-loving, happy-go-lucky spirit of the tomboy shines through the sporty trend.  Drop waist skirts and pleats fall into the realm of the sporty flapper.  An athletic, yet seductive figure, the flapper is enthusiastic about life.  Sweats are given a girly, yet urban spin with ballet pinks used in skinny pants and slouchy hoodies.  The urban dancer is reminiscent of the “Step Up” movies with their incredible dancing married to the coolness of the street.