Students will be livin' easy this summer in breezy, patterned pieces designed to channel the flower-child days of years past.

As State College transitions from spring to summer, students are planning on shedding their raincoats and trenches in favor of a decidedly relaxed, bohemian-inspired look.

Veronica Burk, store manager of Mr. Charles, 228 E. College Ave., said she would describe this season's style as "redefined boho." She said this year's pieces are defined by maxi dresses with thong sandals and vibrant colors normally reserved for fall collections.

"There are a lot of prints and fabulous vibrant colors," she said. "A lot of colors used to be fall colors, and now they are spring -- aquas, greens, purples."

Morgan Baker, an employee at Access, 224 E. College Ave., said she noticed a lot of summer scarves, white denim, white shorts and one-size-fits-all strappy summer dresses selling well.

Baker (junior-international media and communications) said she also noticed many students purchasing boyfriend jeans.

A contrast to the skinny jeans of previous seasons, the loose-fitting style has been spotted on celebrities with growing frequency in recent months.

"It's kind of a Tom Sawyer look," she said. "You can cuff the bottoms and it looks really easy but cute."

Although florals are a print some tend to shy away from, they have popped up on runways and in stores.

"I really like it," Ashley Loehlein, an employee at Mr. Charles, said. "But I feel like it has to be the right floral."

Burk agreed, adding she thinks florals are wearable for anyone, regardless of shape or size.

"Some florals are big prints, which is not right for everyone," she said. "But you can take a smaller print and adapt it to yourself."

Loehlein (sophomore-human development and family studies) said another new trend she plans to try this summer is the one-piece swimsuit. She said she already bought two modestly cut suits in navy and black.

Laura Tucker (freshman-art history) said she was most excited for American Apparel's new metallic and animal-print suits, which are available in both one-piece and two-piece versions.

She said she planned to pair her suits with a crochet cover-up or cut-off shorts and a forehead-grazing headband.

Molly Funk (junior-secondary education and English) said she usually buys a new swimsuit each summer. She said she noticed the popularity of one-piece suits and maillots this year as well, though she wasn't planning on buying one herself.

"The ones with just the strip down the middle I can't pull off," she said. "But I think they're really pretty."

She said she also looks forward to breaking out last year's gladiator sandals, which she usually reserves for the start of summer.

Summer elements such as humidity, water and sunscreen have frustrating tendencies to melt makeup and frizz hair. The subsequent sabotage of any morning efforts to look fresh and presentable is an understandable plight for any female student.

Funk said she resolves these issues by toting her makeup bag with her when the temperature rises.

"I always, always carry a brush," she said. "I also take loose powder and eyeliner. That's basically all I need."

Tucker said she looks forward to sporting a natural look this summer.

"Once I get tan, I don't worry so much about makeup," she said. "I just throw on mascara and let my hair down. I keep it really laid back and put on a lot of sunscreen."