Recent bouts of rain and chilly weather made it feel like Hawaii is not exempt from the specter of the four seasons. Enjoy it while it lasts because if the past can predict the future, there’ll be plenty of sunny days ahead — the better for trying on warm-weather trends.

Spring and summer herald a time of light and bright, easy-to-wear apparel, with pops of cheerful pink and pastels bound to lift spirits. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a girly girl who’s into florals, a classic beauty who can pull off the stark contrast of black and white, a wild child who gravitates toward skin-baring sheer fabrics and fringe, or a tomboy who can pull off the sporty look of cropped tops and trousers paired with loafers. 

Here are 10 looks to try now:

BLACK AND WHITE: When fashion novices ask me how to build their wardrobe, I tell them to start with black and white, only to be told, "That’s boring." Think again. Whites are here in a big way, in clean, crisp shirts, sleek shifts and shirtdresses. Color-blocking with black, black checks, stripes and accessories delivers a dramatic, high-contrast look that’s about as far from boring as you can get. 

SHEER: Whether they take the form of inserts, panels or overlays, sheer fabrics and lace play peekaboo with skin and other materials, muting colors, teasing the viewer and creating an artsy, dynamic mix of textures and graphics. It can lift a monochromatic look from subdued to seductive.

FRINGE: In a look-at-me society, one fast way to get noticed is with clothing that moves — and nothing sways more than fringe. Once relegated to Western wear, you don’t have to be a cowgirl to wear fringe that now graces city-slick tops, dresses, boots and handbags.

FLORAL: It wouldn’t be spring without florals, but spring 2014 isn’t for wallflowers. Graphic blooms are loud and colorful — certain to attract birds, bees and other eyes as well. 

PINK AND PASTELS: You’ll never go wrong with pink and springtime, though some find it’s hard to take this bubble-gum color seriously. This year pinks range from the palest near-white blush to the electricity of hot pink to suit a range of personalities. For those who argue that pink is impossible for them to wear, designers are offering pink handbags that add an instant pop of color to any look.

Cropped tops: Blame it on Miley Cyrus. The midriff-baring performer has turned into one of fashion’s top influences with her active, sporty style. It’s a cute look if you’re fit enough to pull it off, and just so it doesn’t register as too risque, the tops are most likely to be paired with full trousers or high-waisted skirts that hide the navel.

BACKPACKS: In keeping with the sporty trend, today’s on-the-move generation needs to get up and go, and there’s no more liberating accessory than the backpack, which keeps hands free for shopping, texting, snapping photos and holding onto books and lattes. But urban sophisticates don’t want the bulky, heavy-duty polyester, nylon or Cordura carryalls they associate with their college years or the great outdoors. The new stylish models are made of crackled, woven, quilted or perforated leather, some embellished with chains and fringe.

FEMININE PURSES: Newton’s third law states, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." In fashion that means that while some women power through their day with backpacks, the femmes among us want something more ladylike. This season the top-handled bag is a feminine classic worth pursuing.  

CHUNKY MULES: After several seasons of wedges and skyscraper platforms, we finally reached the limit as to how tall heel heights can be before women start breaking their ankles. Newton’s law is back at work, with designers introducing sandals built on blocky 1- to 1 1/2-inch heels that suddenly look so sleek and modern, many will feel compelled to come back down to earth. 

FLAT SHOES: For a more extreme look, people tired of a constant balancing act may opt to plant their feet on the ground with the likes of ballet shoes and flat sandals as well as oxfords and masculine loafer styles borrowed from the boys. 

Malls will offer fashion, prizes and butterflies

This is a time when the major malls celebrate the new season with special events:

Ala Moana Center

The center is bringing back its weeklong Shop A Le‘a event highlighting spring collections from Monday through March 23, with 100 in-store events, shopping and dining offers. 

Highlighting the event will be a series of fashion shows:

March 20

6 p.m.: Reyn Spooner

March 21

3 p.m.: W Salon & Spa

March 22

Noon: Juicy Couture 

1 p.m.: Spiral Girl 

2 p.m.: Diane von Furstenberg

3 p.m.: bebe

4 p.m.: Banana Republic

5 p.m.: Cache

March 23

Noon: White House|Black Market

1 p.m.: Macy’s

2 p.m.: Old Navy

3 p.m.: Valerie Joseph

Shoppers who redeem $300 in Ala Moana Center store and restaurant receipts dated Monday through March 23 will receive a limited-edition Shop A Le‘a tote designed by Kipling, limited to one tote per person while supplies last. Receipts can be redeemed at the Customer Service Center.

While at the center, enter to win a getaway for two to New Zealand. Pick up a shopping guide at the center, fill in the entry blank and drop it at boxes located on Mall Level 2 near Louis Vuitton. No purchase is necessary, but folks must be 21 or older to enter.

Kahala Mall

A social-media scavenger hunt is leading up to the mall’s “Unlock Your Style” event taking place noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, with prizes and exclusive store offers plus a Style Lounge where customers can check out new accessories and trend items and talk to stylists about updating their wardrobes for spring. 

Follow Kahala Mall on Facebook and Instagram or @KahalaMallCtr on Twitter now for clues leading to special keys. Find keys at Kahala Mall merchants and be the first to snap and upload photos using the hashtag #unlockstyle to redeem prizes.

Pearlridge Center

Check out the trends in stores, then head to Downtown Center Court, which will be home to a butterfly conservatory housing hundreds of fluttering butterflies from March 22 through April 19. Bring the keiki for an educational self-guided tour that highlights the life cycle of these creatures from egg to pupa to winged beauty. Children should be prepared that butterflies may land on their head or shoulders.

Admission is $3 per person; keiki younger than 8 are admitted free with a paying adult. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.