When the temperatures break the 70-degree mark, like they did in Central Iowa last week, the time has arrived to update your wardrobe for spring, if you haven’t done so already.

We asked a few local retailers to talk about essentials for spring and summer, and we came back with some good news. For once, everyone seems to agree on what is in style, which is a relief for those of us who don’t have time to pore through fashion magazines to do the research. Also on a positive note, many of this year’s trends include styles that are complementary to different body types.

No matter whom you talk to about ladies’ fashion, the top trend right now is clear: dresses are in. All kinds of dresses. Everything from tunics to wraps to empire-waist styles.

“A couple of years ago, it was all about the skirt, and now you’d have a hard time even finding skirts,” said Anne Jackson-Metzger, owner of Siren boutique, who calls the dress a must-have for spring and summer.

Jackson-Metzger said no one should have a problem finding a dress that fits because of all the different options available.

“The big hesitation that some people have with dresses is that they may not be the same size on the top and bottom, which can make it hard to find one that fits,” Jackson-Metzger said. “But a lot of the styles now are more forgiving because they’re made of jersey or knit, and they fit anyone.”

Jackson-Metzger said she has seen all kinds of dresses featured in spring fashion lines, from casual knits to dressy silks. But she doesn’t think there is one single trend in fabrics. As far as length goes, short wins out over long. The tunic-style dresses are shorter and could be worn with leggings. Other styles are cut mid-thigh, but “non mini-mini,” she said.

Natalie Morrow, owner of Notting Hill, a new boutique at West Glen, agrees that it is definitely the season for the dress, and shorter styles are in. She is seeing a trend in feminine styles.

“Many of the dresses have a lot of feminine detailing, with lace trim and beads,” Morrow said.

When deciding what type of dress to purchase, Morrow and Jackson-Metzger suggest looking for styles that are versatile and can be worn for both the workday and evening events.

When choosing shoes to complement this season’s dresses, Morrow said ballet flats have a “fresh and feminine look,” and platform sandals are also trendy. She said the peeked-toe pump is also in for spring, and versatile enough to wear during the workday or after-hours.

For jewelry, Morrow said anything gold with detailing or “anything with an antique vibe” is hot for spring. She said longer pendant stone necklaces pair nicely with the tunic-style dresses, and ones with crystal stones are pretty when worn with the feminine prints.

As far as other trends, Janice Zuckert, owner of Silver Fox on Ingersoll Avenue, said she is seeing lots of tops, skirts, bottoms and dresses with shimmer and crinkle in the fabric.

“There is metal in a lot of the fabrics, which gives them a sheen,” Zuckert said. “It adds a pretty glow to linens.”

Zuckert said prints are popular this year, especially feminine floral prints. She likes that many of this season’s styles are “easy to wear” because they tend not to be fitted and revealing.

In terms of colors this season, yellow, brown and navy blue stand out, according to these store owners. The yellow is neither pastel nor lemon, but in between.

Hal Wilson, men’s manager and men’s buyer for Sarto, said vibrant colors like yellow are also popular for guys, in addition to orange and seafoam green. He said these colors dominate polo shirts right now. Polo shirts also tend to have racing stripes down the side and a more fitted, contemporary look.

Wilson said woven shirts remain in style this season. The Etros woven shirts at his store showcase a variety of prints and textures, including gingham and seersucker. He said these shirts work nicely paired with either jeans or slacks. “There are more options in denim this year,” Wilson said. “Instead of just a jean, there are more cotton ones that have an aesthetic of linen.”

He said guys also seem to like wearing a five-pocket jean with just a little bit of stretch and elasticity. Linen pants, the signature of spring, also rank highly on Wilson’s list of must-haves.

“If you have a nice pair of linen drawstring pants for casual, sandals and a couple of shirts,” he said, “that would really be a great start to a spring wardrobe.” r