Peel away those calf-high boots. Emerge from your layers of tweed and velvet and fur.

Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, this spring you’ll be able to stretch your arms wide and be free.

Where fall fashions were prim and proper, new styles for spring are flowy, flouncy, kicky. They’re bold, bright, romantic, and fun.

So pack away those fall and winter clothes that bind. For spring, woman, thou art loosed!

“Femininity is an overriding concept,” this spring, said Sara Dennis, vice president of product development for Liz Claiborne apparel. “Soft, pretty, easy, and feminine.”

We do love our capris, jeans, and light linen slacks, but come April, ladies, it’s all about the skirt.

“This is the must-have item for spring,” said Glenn McMahon, president of Ellen Tracy. “They’re very feminine and sort of fun.”

Skirts are fuller this spring than in past years, and longer too. They hit either at or a little below the knee. Many are more fitted at the waist and hips, and then flare or flounce out. Others have ruffles, or gauzy underlays.

The new fuller silhouette will force style conscious women to pay more attention to proportions this spring. You don’t necessarily have to be a “skinny Minnie” to look good in a full skirt, Ms. Dennis said, but fuller at the bottom means ladies will almost always need to wear slimmer or snugger items on top.

“I definitely think it’s something that women are going to have to get used to wearing,” said Mr. McMahon. “But most women can wear them. Beyonce had a full skirt on at the Oscars, and she looked fabulous.”

Flowers also are in for spring – and not tiny, little floral patterns sitting daintily along trims. These prints are big, bold blooms dancing across skirts, blouses and dresses, and exploding on coats, shoes, and handbags.

And although soft pastels, such as baby pink and lemon yellow, are still popular, this spring colors are brighter and more eye-catching. Patterns are bolder and more oversized.

Ms. Dennis called it a “riot of color.”

“The colors are luscious,” said Charla Krupp, executive editor of Shop Etc. magazine. “Turquoise is such a hot color for spring. Bright pink, bright turquoise, bright greens, a lot of mixing of patterns, a lot of safari looks.”

Footwear has taken a fresh and fun turn this season as well. All you Carrie Bradshaw fans, take note: The seriously sexy stiletto has been overtaken by wedge heels and ballet flats.

“The great thing about wedges is that they are still pretty sexy, but you don’t have to wobble around on your ankles like you do with stilettos,” said Marshalls’ style expert Amy Gallagher.

Wedges look great with jeans, dresses, and skirts, Ms. Gallagher said, and can come in all different colors and styles.

“Some of them, the actual wedge part of the heel is brightly colored. Others have patterns. Others have that espadrille look. It’s going to be a huge style for spring,” she said.

For short women, the wedge also is a great alternative to the ballerina flat, which was seen all over the designer runways.

Many of the flats are pretty and delicate, but most – in line with the bright, flirty tone of the season – are gaily decorated with jewels, ribbons, or baubles.

This spring, belts are beaded, while handbags are covered in pockets and buckles. Camisoles are sparkly; cardigans are jeweled. Even the season’s popular close-cropped, three-quarter-sleeved jacket has a ribbon detail or a belt or other fancy embellishments.

“Everything has beads and sequins and details and sparkles,” said Ms. Krupp.

If fall styles reminded you of piano recitals and high tea, spring’s styles are more like a wild safari, a summer night out, or a vacation in Rio.

“It’s really a really fun season,” Ms. Krupp said. “Picture yourself on a yacht, sailing around the Mediterranean. And you’re wearing a turquoise tunic and white pants and you have a scarf on and big oversized sunglasses.”

Ms. Gallagher says women can breathe easy in the season’s tunics and caftans.

“Tunics can be really forgiving. You can get tight ones for those days when you don’t have the fat pinching jeans on. Or they can be a little less form-fitting,” she said. “It’s a real casual look, but you actually look dressed. They look really cute with shrugs or little cardigans. Which is perfect for spring’s unpredictable weather.”

Sweaters, particularly snug cardigans and shrugs, are huge for spring. As are trench coats and short-cropped jackets.

“We’re seeing a lot of brocades and jacquards becoming more important,” said Mr. McMahon. “They do the same thing as a tweed jacket. But they’re lighter weight, lighter colors. It’s a great tailored piece that you can dress up, or you can make it more casual.”

Accessories can make or break your fashion statement this season. For fall, if you had a sparkly brooch and a pair of chandelier earrings, you were fully accessorized. This spring, there’s a lot more going on.

Bangles are hot, thick ones to be worn in clanking, clattering multiples. Wide cuff-style bracelets also are in.

Belts are important, whether they be ribbons, beaded, Western style, gem-covered, or three strand.

Handbags are covered in hardware, made of exotic materials, or are slouchy hobo styles.

But the must-have accessory for spring is the necklace.

Long necklaces. Big-beaded necklaces. Multiple necklaces worn at once. Think society flapper on the beach in St. Bart’s.

Now, here’s the deal with all this big, bold, colorful, floral, beaded, bejeweled, safari-style, flouncy dressing: Be careful not to overdo it.

Ms. Gallagher had the best advice: Follow the “Rule of Three.”

“Pick your accessories and don’t exceed three,” she said. “If you have a great pair of wedge heels on, and a great belt on, just carry the purse. Don’t carry everything with it. If you have a great big necklace, just do the heels and the purse. You don’t want to have your eyes going everywhere or else you’re going to look like your Great Aunt Sylvia.”