It seems as if designers might have worked through their colorless funk. Those heavy charcoal grays, browns and blacks that have dominated runways for several seasons have been replaced with a mix of lighter, classic neutrals, such as light gray and taupe, and vivid blues, expressive raspberries and blushed pinks.Merrill Greene, who is the creative director of Stylesight, a company that tracks emerging trends, said designers in the past were feeling the weight of what's going on socially and politically in the world. This fall, especially, is a somber season, with a wide palette of more moody colors, from dark gray to deep magenta, than we've seen in years.For spring, however, they've moved beyond the powerful influences of the outside world to create a lighter, less serious take on dressing.

Style for the Prom, Circus & Woodstock

Betsey Johnson's spring 2008 runway show featured looks inspired by pouffy, frilly prom designs of the past half-century. A model in a yellow strapless bouffant dress with a tulle skirt was escorted down the runway while a remix of the 1950s hit "Mr. Sandman" played in the background. There was a marked transition to the '60s, when Feminism was embraced, the girls lost their dates, and the dresses became decidedly shorter. Later decades were represented with looks such as a white satin, knee-length dress with a stripe of pink around the chest and a huge bow at one shoulder. The showstopper came in the form of an all-white strapless satin gown with an oversize red sash tied around the waist. As always, the eccentric Ms. Johnson danced and cart wheeled down the runway at the end.

The highlights of Nili Lotan's spring collection included 1970sinspired caftans and paisley-and-bandana print tops.