While predicting fashion trends has become increasingly difficult in recent years, a University of Alabama professor of clothing and design says you can still look for clues to fashion in the way Americans are living their lives.

"The speed with which garments are now produced and a general hunger for anything new is working to erode the two-season-a-year model that has governed fashion for the last century," said Dr. Marcy Koontz. "Now we look at more abstract concepts based around the way we live our lives, and tastes and styles are then extrapolated from there."

For women, Koontz says the following trends will dominate the early part of 2004:

"The preppy dress code has reemerged: pleated skirts, shirts slipped under sweaters, and Bermuda shorts with updates that include short slickers in patent leather, a touch of sparkle on the skirts, and bolts of bright color," she said.

"A gloriously gorgeous dress will also be spring's major wardrobe player. The fitted skirt suit, the print blouse, and a soft, flared, or sportily short skirt are standard spring fare. The perfect summer uniform will be a tiny little top (now made in lightweight cashmere or ombré chiffon) and slouchy, low-slung cropped pants worn with high, strappy sandals."

Koontz said the American male is also very much in the global spotlight.

For men, Henley shirts, Western-style shirts, muscle T-shirts, football jerseys, hooded sweatshirts and cable-knit sweaters will be popular in early 2004. Other trends will include khaki pants, jeans and cargo pants; seersucker suits; and aviator jackets and pea coats.

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