Which styles from the runway can you expect to actually see this spring and summer? Get the skinny on fashion 2003 right here!

From the Gibson Girls of the Edwardian era to the minimalists of the 1990s, gals today have a century of haute couture to mix and match to their likings. And the designers of the spring fashion collections have chosen to do just that. "We're seeing a lot more from the past this season," says New York-based freelance stylist, Grace Koo. "Things we've seen have come from the '50s, '40s, '30s, '60s, '80s - there's an influence from every time period."

While style déjà vu is nothing new to the fashion world, this spring and summer, these repetitions have arrived with a twist. The warm weather has brought with it "touchy-feely" fabrics - metallics, lamés, shiny pieces, and satins - in every color imaginable, including - gasp! - the unfathomable colors made so popular in the '80s. "There's a lot more color than last spring," Koo says. "and fluorescents and neons are making a comeback."

Other '80s trends weaving their way into the couture of the millennium are Hawaiian tropical prints, the off-the-shoulder "Flashdance" look (that's right: those sexy sweatshirts are back, gals!), and of course, punk. "Designers are using zippers as decoration and detailing on jackets, pants - everything, everywhere," Koo says.

Netting, blazers, and, yes, legwarmers are back, too, she adds, along with a new version of the miniskirt. In all colors and fabrics, miniskirts have swished their way back into the market, so be ready to show a heck of a lot of leg. "We're talking really, really mini," Koo laughs. Short-shorts, too, have returned this summer, in both baggy and tight-fitting styles, she adds.

But the less flamboyant of you need not despair. "There's a lot more structured looks, too, with '40s and '50s influences," she assures. "We're seeing full skirts, but also tighter-fitting pieces like capri pants and pencil skirts with sweater sets. It’s pretty classic, and a lot of the collections focused on really girly, really feminine looks."

But while ladies today might feel like flaunting their femininity one day, they're ready to tear down walls the next. Military-inspired cargo pants, capris, and shorts have arrived in an array of fabrics and colors. "Diesel and DKNY Jeans did a lot of cargos this season, not only in cotton, but in other materials, too, like satin," she explains.

Our ever-dependable jeans also can toughen up any gal, but this season, you'll find a more tapered, straightleg look, versus the bell bottoms of the '60s and '70s we've embraced so heartily the past couple of years. "Bell bottoms are going out," Koo warns, "but denim is definitely still a staple." Low waists have been redeemed by higher cuts in the back, which naturally means we're giving up our beloved "thong look," but at least we haven't lost jeans all together. And despite the Great Denim Debate between retailers this spring, Koo sums it up simply: "I don't think denim will ever go out, and if it does - well, that would be a weird trend."

As always, classic tees and tanks have returned to the game, as well, but tank tops, especially, are taking a new (or old, as you might recall) shape. "It's a more oversized tank now," she explains. "They're showing up as racerbacks and come not only in cotton, but in netting and sweatshirt material, too."

In addition, Asian-inspired tops with mandarin collars are adding a little flair, but it seems that the bohemian peasant look has entered its twilight year. "We didn't see as much of it this season," Koo admits. "Designers went a little more structured, mixing styles from the '40s and '50s with harder lines than that flowy style. That doesn't mean you can't wear it, we just didn't see as much of it."

What you once reserved for lounging around the house is now more than acceptable to don outdoors, and it's suddenly everywhere. Activewear consists of trainer suits, yogawear, and just about anything else too comfortable to keep balled up in the back of your closet. "This is a large trend this summer - trainer jackets and pants," Koo says. "Puma's offering a lot of tops and bottoms in this style, of course, but even Anna Sui featured the sporty look in her spring show."

With the rest of you set, then, what's in store for those well-manicured feet? Softened and smoothed by the winter months, they're ready to show themselves to the world, and spring and summer footwear has been designed to do just that. Look for open-toed pumps, ankle-wrap espadrilles, sandals, and flip-flops. "Sandals are really organic-looking this season, in natural colors and earthy materials," Koo says. "A lot of them go with the Hawaiian theme."

And to pretty things up a little, why not bejewel those exposed toes with hand-painted toe rings? "Toe rings are always a good thing," she adds. "I don't see them going out of style, but right now it's good to keep them simple."

And the best part is there's no need to break a leg for fashion these days, with flat soles back on the home front. "We're seeing flat shoes this season - which is nice - like Marc Jacobs, who did a lot of ballerina-style looks," she says. "They’re pointy and round-toed, but that doesn't mean that the sexy, strappy sandal's not there. Donna Karan has a high-heel, open-toe espadrille that's still comfortable because the sole's made of cork. It's a good way to dress up any outfit, and it's really feminine-looking."

Fornarina has come out with a flat pump ideal for the office, and Esprit has debuted a new pointy-toe flat mule. Comfortable trainers, sneakers, high tops, and wrestling-style shoes from brands such as Converse, Puma, Adidas, and Reebok have hit the streets with a thunder, too. And pick a color - any color! - and it's yours. "These sporty shoes are available in all colors," Koo says, "and come in everything from suede to canvas to leather."

So add a little color (and history) to your closet this summer - an electric-blue pencil skirt here, a neon-green off-the-shoulder top there. "These days, almost anything goes," Koo smiles.