The long-anticipated week of freedom from schoolwork, classes, activities and all scheduled commitments has finally arrived.

Time to dust off that old duffel bag and fill it to the brim with everything you own -- but what to pack?

You may be leaving Happy Valley, but for that last-minute packer there is still time left to shop for that perfect wardrobe to wear in paradise while you're still in State College.

"Basically our entire store is all spring break stuff right now," Danyelle Estonilo (senior-supply chain and information systems), employee of Abercrombie & Fitch, 138 S. Allen St., said. "Our bathing suits are huge right now."

For girls, the store only carries bikinis. Estonilo said the white and navy ones have been especially popular, and for guys, she said the store carries swim trunks.

"Our bathing suits are selling really well, and we also have a bunch of summery stuff on sale right now, so that's been flying off the shelves," Estonilo said.

Besides the classic bathing suit for that warm beach or boardwalk day, the dress is also a must-have item for the girls.

"Dresses, dresses and more dresses ... honestly, it's all about the dress," Amanda Chandler, (senior-supply chain and information systems) Mr. Charles, 228 E. College Ave., employee said. "The tank tops are taking a backseat."

Chandler also said the mini-dress is really fun and short for spring break and can also be worn with leggings during the school year.

The wrap and empire waist dresses are also really in for the spring, she said.

"I would say the solid, cotton dress is normally our biggest seller, but people also love the patterns," Chandler said. "This season's fashion is so varied, there's not a particular style or time period to pinpoint."

Courtney Goldberg, Penn State alumna and manager of Metro, 320 E. College Ave., agreed that dresses are the No. 1 fashion item for girls to have this spring break.

In terms of popular seasonal colors, she said yellow is supposed to be the color of the season.

In addition, pastels are also in, she said, especially pinks and blues, which have been very popular

"Basically all the bright colors that you didn't see this fall," Goldberg said. "We're also selling a lot of green T-shirts because St. Patty's Day is over the Spring Break."

Accessory-wise, dig through your closet and jewelry drawer for ballet flats, wedges, hoop earrings and headbands.

"Charm necklaces are still really big -- crystallized necklaces, hearts, anything big and long," Goldberg said.

And of the course, the perfect complement to any outfit -- the sunglasses.

"With sunglasses, the bigger the better," Goldberg said.

Even if you're not headed to a warmer climate or tropical paradise, in the view of the fashion world, the cold, windy, snowy days have ended and bright spring fashions have officially arrived.