Temperatures have finally risen above freezing and although some days are still a bit chilly, it’s safe to assume spring has arrived. Grass is turning green, flowers are beginning to bud and the fresh scent of spring lingers in the air, awakening everyone’s senses to what is most important about the season – new clothes.

Spring fashions usually bring to mind colorful floral designs and pastels. This season, however, these predictable trends have some competition. Black and white clothing, shoes and handbags have exploded into stores, proving once again the salt-and-pepper pair is the most traditional and multi-season team in fashion.

Hints of the black and white spring trend began this past February when trendsetter Gwen Stefani donned a single-strap, black chiffon dress with white polka dots designed by Vivienne Westwood at the 2003 Grammy Awards. Confirming the spring trend, designers like Kenneth Cole, Donna Karan and Tommy Hilfiger used the power color-combo in their spring collections, which have been seen recently in InStyle, Lucky and Glamour magazines.

Martha Ellrod, owner of the women’s sections of Godfry’s Men’s and Women’s Clothier at Worthington Mall, fills the racks of her boutique with the latest styles. Ellrod makes two to three trips a year to New York City to keep up with new trends and to purchase clothing and accessories for her store. Ellrod said black and white is easy to accessorize. This season, black and white handbags and shoes decorated with beads and flowers are very popular accessories. She also said fashion trends repeat themselves, and this year fashion from the 1950s and 1960s is in rotation.

“Every fashion trend comes back around again,” she said. “Black and white polka dots and thick stripes worn by women like Jackie Kennedy are popular this spring.”

According to Cynthia Nellis, former buyer and fashion expert for http://fashion.about.com, this perennial hybrid can be traced back to the puritans, but it wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s that black and white became contagious in the fashion industry.

Black gives off a strong and intimidating vibe, while white gives off a light, timid feeling. Wearing black and white together creates the perfect mixture of edge and innocence, and can be worn any time of the year, Nellis said.

The combination of black and white also creates the most contrast of any of the hues on the color wheel.

Stripes, flowers and polka dots created using black and white possess a bold quality not found in similar patterns or designs using other colors.

Nellis said polka dots are especially popular this season. From skirts to dresses, shirts and pants, stores like The Limited, Express and Forever 21 are carrying clothing items decorated with the vintage pattern. Black and white polka dots have demonstrated appeal because they posses a cute retro quality, yet they are fun and versatile at the same time.

“Polka dots are the perfect print for spring dresses and separates,” Nellis said.

Stripes are also in this season. While black and white pin-striped suites decorated the fall fashion pallet, a variety of black and white stripes are hot for spring.

Eighties-style striped shirts and skirts are especially popular and can be dressed-up with a blouse or capris, or dressed-down with a simple T-shirt or jeans. The tricky eye illusions caused by the stripes create an effect which overshadows a black and white outfit’s lack of color.

The stripe-craze this spring is good for those who have not yet lost their winter hibernation wait. Wearing a dress or shirt with vertical stripes can create a thinning effect. However, don’t forget horizontal stripes can create the opposite effect.

Michelle Woljevach, owner of The Emperor’s Newest Clothes in Grandview, said diagonal stripes are popular in her opinion. Woljevach, who stocks her store with clothes from California venders, also said white clothing with black flowers are increasingly catching her customer’s eyes. It can be worn in any situation, unlike pastel colors, she said.

“Black and white is so classic. It is so easy to match black and white with other items,” Woljevach said.

“Depending on the fabric, the items you buy this spring can be worn during any other season.”

When purchasing black and white items this season, shoppers should look for items that fit their own personal style.

Experts instruct those who do not like stripes or polka dots to try black and white floral designs or wear a white skirt or pants with a solid black tank or blouse. Those who want a little color in their ensemble might try a pale pink top with a polka-dotted skirt. A black and white outfit can also be spiced up with a pair of red shoes or a red handbag.

Now as ever, black and white is seen as timeless, easy to accessorize and perfect for those who are sick of the usual spring trends.