The spring season is coming up and it will be time to stock up on fabulous spring fashions.

But when students do not want to spend all of their paycheck to get that cute spring dress, what can they do?

Finding a great deal means looking cute for spring and not being a fashionable, broke college student.

Forever 21, Nordstrom and Macy’s are three stores with stylish clothes and good deals.

They offer all kinds of clothes for any occasion, and all three stores have lots of sales to tempt you to come into their stores and shop until you drop.

Sacramento State student and Student Fashion Association Historian Brittany Rodriguez shared her predictions on what would be the big fashion trends this spring season.

“I would say floral prints and bright bold colors will be coming into play a lot this spring,” Rodriguez said.

Forever 21 is a great place to go for cute floral prints for a bargain.

They have an array of dresses and blouses this season and most cost $30 or less. They have a floral print dress with soft pastel colors and a belt. It is a very simple dress with a round neckline, it has gorgeous pastel pink, blue and cream colors and costs $26.90.

If you are looking for a cheaper dress, there is a pretty crisscross floral dress for $18.

Rodriguez also said bright colors will be an upcoming fashion trend this season.

Whether they are on jeans, dresses or tops, bright colors are bold and make you stand out in the crowd.

Macy’s has an assortment of clothes in bright colors for a decent price. They have an XOXO blouse top in neon red for $30 and a Rampage neon blue and purple striped halter for $17.99.

There is also a Fresh Brewed top – a short, dolman-sleeved striped V-neck in neon blue for $17.99 and the Ultra Teeze top, a sleeveless, striped swing tank for $30.

Macy’s also carries lots of fabulous dresses in neon and bright colors, which are trendy and modish because it can be worn on a casual day and look stylish as well.

There is an Ali & Kris dress with neon blue skirt and bright green top for $26.99.

Sac State alumna Claire Warner said one of the fashion trends this season would be animal prints. Warner has a degree in apparel marketing and design and a background in fashion.

“Some trends right now I’ve noticed are animal prints and grey colors,” Warner said. “I like animal prints because they add a bit of edge to classier styles.”

Animal print on tops and dresses could be a big hit this season and you can find these for a great bargain at most stores.

At Macy’s, they have an XOXO chiffon animal-print top for $30.

For ladies who like halter tops, they also carry a Fire Top which is a sleeveless, ruffled metallic animal print top for $20. Both are good buys at $35 or less.

At Forever 21, shoppers can find some great bargains on animal print tops as well. They carry a zebra stripes top for $15.80 and an animal-print burnout tee for $19.80.

Nordstrom has a Current Affair hooded cardigan in grey for $33.90 and a Calvin Klein belted ponte knit sheath dress for $78.90.

Those who want to splurge should check out Nordstrom because they have a lot of designer brand items like Prada, Versace and Manolo Blahnik.

Shoppers would not find these brands at other stores in the mall. Although most of their clothes and items are expensive, it is fun to go and look around in the store.

“I have a pair of TOMS platform wedges and I love them,” Rodriguez said. “I will definitely rock them around campus when the weather heats up.”

A pair of TOMS wedges can be found at Nordstrom. They come in a variety of styles and colors, are chic, popular and cost $69 to $89. Even though the shoes are pricey, when you purchase any pair of shoes, TOMS will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need.

Splurge on a durable pair of shoes because they will look better and last longer than a cheap pair.

Look for TOMS wedges at Nordstrom and Zumiez at Arden Fair Mall.

Good Stock Boutique and Getta Clue at Westfield Downtown Plaza Mall are also good places to find TOMS and they have some good sales too.

Standing out in the crowd can be increased with a simple accessory or two.

Forever 21 sells brightly colored necklaces for under $10 in an array of designs, from chains to strands to beads.

There are enough etched, glittered and studded bracelets and bangles to match any style one wishes to wear.

Fashion does not have to be expensive for college students if they are willing to put in a little footwork while looking around.

Brittany and Mitchell can be reached at [email protected]