Flowers of spring will sprout a little early this year on the shirts and shorts of University students, a spot check of local merchants indicates.

And flower prints will be flanked by brilliant neons and dull earth tones, they say.

"People want more earthly colors, " said Tracy Clarke, assistant manager of The Gap, 206 W. College Ave. Floral prints and safari colors like mango and papaya will replace the pastel colors of the winter, she said.

Polli McCartney, manager of The Lodge, 114 S. Allen St., said, "Old fashioned and rustic" looks also will be big this year.

Those who like to stand out in a crowd need not fear the prophesied dullness. McCartney predicted neon will be another big style of the spring.

Diane Mowrey, assistant manager of Benetton, 200 W. College Ave., agreed bright colors remain common. Bright sweatshirts and pullovers will replace the bulky olive, mustard and purple sweaters of winter, she said.

"We sell a lot of walking shorts, sweatshirts, and pullovers," Mowrey said, adding that students will most likely be dressing casually this spring.

But new colors won't be the only refreshing changes that spring brings.

"Hats are coming back in style," McCartney said.

Clarke said shoes and linens with floral prints will be big sellers as the weather grows warmer.

And below the waist, no one will be out of style in a pair of blue jeans.

"Blue jeans will always be in," Clark said. "Girls are buying guys' jeans this year to get that baggy look."

Concert T-shirts are also popular in State College, and according to Saghir Ahmad, owner and manager of the House of Kashmir, 130 Calder Way, they will continue to flourish.

"We sell a lot of concert shirts, novelty shirts ... and Guatemalan 'batik' pullovers," Ahmad said, describing his store as a student novelty shop. Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones have been big sellers.

One shirt Ahmad predicts will be a big seller admonishes drunken driving. "See Dick drink," it says on the front. "See Dick drink and drive. See Dick die."

And on the back: "Don't be a Dick."

Sales of shirts change in accordance to whatever musical group is making a big tour, Ahmad said. "When The Who was touring, we sold their shirts, when Batman was playing, we sold his. It changes every week."