It’s finally arrived, sort of. Springtime in the Emerald City has made its long-awaited debut, bringing with it warmer days, a crowded Quad and less clothing on the backs of its residents.

Don’t get too hasty, my dear fellow UW-ians. I know the first thing you want to do is rush into the back of your presumably dusty, cobwebbed closet and pull out the first thing that’s brightly colored and mini. If you wish to stay fashionable this year in the spring and summertime, I suggest a few trendy and seemingly simple tactics to power-up your already well-stocked attire from last year.

Regarding footwear, a style that seems to be showing up left and right in all of the springtime fashion rags is the boot: short, lightweight and adorable. However, don’t go grabbing your thick, heavy winter boots to trot down the Ave in 75-degree weather. The summer boot is casual, the shaft is usually slouchy with a mid- to low-cut calf, and the material is thin and flimsy: suede, softer leather or canvas — or some sort of dual combination. For color, go with naturals and neutral tones — various browns like beige and khaki, black, white, gray and different hues of blue, from cobalt to royal and denim. Also, the boots should generally remain on the flatter side, without a high heel — that’s saved for fall or winter. If you need height, a slight wedge is acceptable.

Another trend that seems too obvious to mention is the strappy sandal. Don’t be confused by last year’s gladiator sandal obsession. Instead of a threatening and I’m-off-to-slay-Pagans appeal, the strappy sandal can be worn with skinny jeans and dresses alike since the straps end at the ankle rather than strangling the calf. Leather is the only functional material for strappy sandals, and colors can vary: brown, black, blue and yellow are versatile and not too outrageous. The straps should be thin and not flashy.

For bottoms this spring, designers seem to be leaning closer to a loose fit. They haven’t been too long, usually stopping between the mid-calf area and just above the ankle — and don’t even think twice about bringing out your bootcuts for this season. Look for pants that have a baggier leg that tapers closer to the ankle. This accentuates the curves, but don’t pair it with boots; that will shorten the look of your legs, so instead try sandals or flip-flops.

Probably the hottest things this season that you can possibly invest in are Bermuda shorts. For those of you who don’t know, Bermuda shorts are low-cut shorts that are longer and taper above the knee. Most of the time, they come in preppy-looking plaids or solid white. If you want to make a stronger statement, go for a dark brown or blue shades matched with a loose blouse with spaghetti straps.

Whenever the sun is out, you have to protect your eyes, but for the fashion-conscious student, you can’t just whip out your pair from last season. Yes, the reflective aviators and the Olsen twins’ “ginormos” are still all the rage, but this is the year of change, so try something different. Circular, mad-scientist-like shapes were gleaming on the runways in Paris and Milan, and it’s not too difficult to find them in the department stores now. Various shapes of roundness are doable. The bug-eyed alien look is also popular in Europe and New York. Large, like the usual Chanel glasses, these sunglasses angle up toward the face, giving them a dominatrix-like appeal.

Don’t worry my sweeties, you’ll be out of the dark soon.

Reach columnist Ben Schock at opinion@dailyuw.com.