It was the age of Michael Jackson making music rather than scandals, a time when MTV actually showed music videos and Jane Fonda exercised her way into nearly every home in America. I like to define this as the prologue to my glory years. The years before my mother coaxed me into stirrup pants and turtleneck sweaters. It was the best of times and the worst of times. And now, the '80s are back and much more tailored than ever.

Expect this upcoming spring season to be filled with electrifyingly bright colors. Clothes will become much more vibrant as neon takes the stage. Similar to the styles of a leg warmer workout video, sassy pinks and blazing greens will rule the streets. When it comes to color-coordination, it's important to remember that you need not embrace a mix of color in blinding amounts. After all, you don't want to look like a walking color wheel. Neon can be tricky and often distasteful, so an easy way to incorporate the new color trend is by using small accessories or select pieces that can be made as a punchy focal point.

For those of you who aren't too crazy about neon, neutral colors will play the role as a good stabilizer this spring. Khaki separates will be a dominant player in helping to balance out the zaniness of the acidic colors. You may begin to see some safari-inspired pieces, but it only comes in the form of short trenches and printed dresses. It's easy to take these things too far, though. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see a Mariah Carey carbon copy attempting to capture style in some leopard print ensemble. However, fashion is supposed to be liberating, and there is no creativity in aspiring to be a replica, and a horrendous one at that.

Setting your own style this upcoming season shouldn't be too taxing, though. There are plenty of avenues that you can venture down if the color choices don't seem to suit you. Florals will be coming mainly for blouses, and also expanding into blazers, skirts and handbags. Just make sure to super-size everything because big is in. We're talking slouchy shorts, towering shoes and bags large enough to crush small children. Expect to see backpacks making a comeback, too. They're becoming hipper as we speak, coming in new shapes and outrageous colors.

For handbag designers, metallic will be a staying theme though it will likely be more textural. Woven creations in sparkling silvers and shimmering golds will be in high demand. It will also be found as embellishment on a lot of contemporary shoes. Not only will the metallic tones help to glamorize a lot of pieces, but also help the architecture of their shape.

The shoes this season are all about structure, with many of their muses ranging from city skyscrapers to old Hollywood starlets. Platforms will be, for another year in a row, the "it" shoes. Shoes are determined to be anything less than dynamite this season. Full of a lot of hardware and an abundance of jewels, stylish flats and heels will be the new obsession for any female.

Footwear isn't the only area that you'll be seeing eye-catching decoration. People will no longer be donning pretentious Bollywood excess pieces, but more naturally illuminated, Indian-inspired jewelry. Bracelets and earrings will be garnished with small ruby and emerald touches. Even headbands will take on more rocky displays as they become incrusted in some jewels.

With the eloquent jewelry styles fast approaching, spring will also have a more dainty side to it. Ballet knits and feminine pieces will hold their own in this chaos. There'll be sheer shirts with ruffles and a few bows thrown in here and there. These delicates will prove to be quite the contrast to the assertiveness this season's accessories exert, but with the correct balance, a playful outfit can quickly come about.

Among some of these softer separates, swinging fan minis will become the new intriguing skirt. With their layering of kaleidoscope colors, they're very versatile pieces. They can either be dressed up with a new pair of T-strap heels, or dressed down with a basic flat. Vertical, engineer-striped jeans are a good counterpart if you prefer to go more laid-back casual. This emerging style is very flattering to many shapes because the stripes elongate the legs.

With all of these elaborate and eclectic trends to look forward to, we all knew it was probably bound to go sour somewhere. Just when we thought neon was going to be the least of our worries, the '80s will be making a larger impact than one could ever imagine. Though some of these trends will never likely be larger than the fascination with pogs, larger than the Ninja Turtles, and dare I even say, larger than Barbie's beach mansion, we can only hope that nothing will be as ill-received as the new windbreakers and silky sweat suits that spring holds. If you adore the sporty-chic look, this is your year, but I nearly cringe when I think of myself or anyone around me wearing the clothes my parents wore 15 years ago.

I am sure there are probably many fashion lovers out there who really like to go all-out. Trust me, this isn't your season to do it. Take it with baby steps. Otherwise, it could be a detrimental experience. As for longevity of this whole brigade, I am not sure. It has been said that fashion repeats itself, but to nearly reinvent a decade of spandex and shoulder pads? Let's just hope it is a passing phase. In just a few months, you'll be counting down the days until your favorite coasties are able to put away their bear boots and settle for more animal-friendly shoes. I personally really look forward to seeing them in spring's new tight, ill-flattering leggings and Lite-Brite colors. Well, at least the campus' future looks bright in one sense of the word — positively radiating fluorescent.