Every October, hordes of six-foot-tall, 17-year-old, crack-addicted supermodels march onto the catwalks of New York, Paris and Milan working the fashions for next year's spring season. Though most people are still trying to get a hold of what to wear in the fall/winter, is it ever too early to start looking to the runways for inspiration for next season? Hell no. My predictions for spring '06.

Flat (preferably white) tennis shoes: Hopefully by Spring, people will finally be able to get over Uggs - footwear's antichrist - and move on to the new hot thing: flat sneakers.

Spotted on the runways at BCBG and Marc Jacobs, the flat tennis shoe is ridiculously versatile and ridiculously trendy. Try wearing Converse or even Ked's with jeans, trousers, skirts - anything will do. The flat sneaker is a great way to get around campus without killing your feet. And don't worry about wearing white shoes: The dirtier they get, the cooler it looks.

Wedges: Insecure and depressed about your height? Still in from last spring, wedges are a good option for those looking to dig their way out of height-induced depression, or for those simply wanting to diversify their shoe collection. Espadrille wedges work well with casual outfits, but if you are looking for something dressier, try something solid colored or suede. The wedge looks best when showed off - A-line skirts or pants cropped at the knee do this well. Don't be afraid to invest well in your wedges - not only do they seem to be a long-term trend, they are a versatile option for both daytime and evening wear. Marni and Donna Karan opted to show open-toe wedges with their light clothes, while always-directional Prada sent out a more formal closed-toe option.

Victorian: Lace, high-necked tops, ornate detail - put this on while you still can. I highly recommend wearing as much Victorian as possible before it turns ugly, which could quite possibly be soon after, or even during spring '06. Wearing lots of jewelry and layered necklaces is also a great way to expand on the look. At Balenciaga, ruffled Victorian tops were worn under detailed jackets nipped in at the waist, and slim, cigarette pants. Though the pant is not recommended, the jacket is also a great way to wear the Victorian look.

Frocks: Flowing, knee-length (or shorter) frocks are flattering and youthful on everyone. Unless you are a body-image masochist, frocks will do you a great favor by covering areas where you are not so confident. So this spring, forego trips to the gym in favor of a new collection of frocks. Calvin Klein sent out a great set of frocks, including white, solid and detailed patterns. Floral patterns turned up at Proenza Schouler, while Marni paired their frocks with quirky jewelry.

Headband: Spotted at Prada and Alberta Ferretti, thick headbands are the trendiest things to put on your head this spring. Wearing them with hair poofed up in the back gives a mod '60s vibe. If you feel like your outfit is sort of "blah," adding the headband is a great way to add style to whatever you have on. Simple and classic, this is probably the easiest trend next season.

High-waisted belt: This may sound slightly Steve Urkel-esque, but it is an extremely chic trend turning up this spring. Wearing a belt high up on the skinniest part of your waist is a flattering and extremely fashion-forward way to keep your pants up. The best way to go about wearing the high-waisted belt is over a loose dress - the belt will clinch you in the middle, creating a flattering silhouette. Another option is wearing the belt on a high-waisted skirt, with a top of your choice tucked in - but do this only if you have very slim hips though.

White: Though this may seem slightly obvious, white has been an unusually pronounced inspiration on the runways for spring - Calvin Klein, Giambattista Valli and Elie Saab all heavily featured it, while Dolce and Gabbana decided to do practically their entire show in white. White is a great way to announce the end of cold weather and the beginning of the light, flowery clothes that are typically associated with spring. Don't be afraid to dress head-to-toe in white - it looks great if done competently. The all-white outfit typically works if it doesn't include white pants or jeans. Just remember to mix up the look with fun, non-white accessories.

Remember when exercising fashion forwardness this spring, there will always be fashion-inept people out there who simply won't understand you or what's in style. This ignorance may manifest itself in confused looks, or even crude remarks. To the fashionably ignorant: whatever. You're the ones who can't dress.

Faria can be reached by e-mail at fjabbar@umich.edu.