The arrival of the spring season brings with it a renewed awareness of nature. The surrounding environment slowly becomes warmer, brighter and more colorful. Our wardrobe changes with the elements, catering to the sunnier weather and need for lighter color palettes. Judging from the looks shown on this season’s runways, designers were also conscious of how inspirational springtime can really be. From Etro’s lineup of floral printed pieces to Balmain’s cotton canvas military looks, the collections were filled with patterns, colors and materials influenced by the natural beauty that comes with spring.

No stranger to this season, floral prints made a bold statement on the runways. Favorites such as Thakoon and Tory Burch showed layered floral pieces paired with leather cutout booties. Their mix of feminine patterns with tough materials was genius. It instantly pulled florals away from grandma’s closet and into the heart of trendy downtown. Make sure to incorporate florals into your own spring wardrobe, but take advantage of their popularity and look for alternate ways to wear them. For example, Milly’s lavender printed shorts are adorable with metallic sandals, while Tibi’s black floral blazer will speak volumes with white jeans.

Flowers weren’t the only natural element seen in these collections. Marni and Caroline Herrera found inspiration elsewhere in the garden, favoring graphic leaf-like prints. Water seemed to be another source of influence, both in the wavy drapery of Thakoon’s aqua pieces and Brian Reyes’ bubble printed fabrics. The great thing about these pieces is the way they seem to naturally fit together. Count yourself lucky, as one of spring’s biggest trends is pattern layering. Pairing Alice + Olivia’s marbled mini with a feather printed top has surprisingly never been easier. Just remember, there’s a fine line between embracing the trend and looking as though you got dressed in the dark.

A nod to natural fabrics was also seemingly popular this season. As mentioned, Balmain paraded its signature strong shoulders in cotton canvas military jackets. For those who aren’t looking to spend upwards of $9,000 on a single item, there are plenty of army-inspired utility jackets that will give your look the same feel. Straw was another favorite material, particularly in the land of accessories. Chanel presented a slew of amazing straw handbags that I am still dreaming of. Lagerfeld was able to effortlessly transform this simple material into a must-have of the season. So note to self, when you think of straw, forget that throw-around beach tote and think French countryside fantasy.

In terms of color, many designers decided to take the neutral route. The collections of Celine, Calvin Klein and Max Azria were all filled with soft whites, tans, and grays. Pale pastels were also present at Valentino in the form of flowy sheer dresses. While neutrals are an easy addition to your wardrobe, make sure to not choose monotone head-to-toe looks. Let’s just leave the khaki overload on Chloe’s runway! Instead, pair a white tank with your nude ruffled mini or a blush chiffon blouse with those gray silky cargo pants.

The inspiration in nature is endless. The shape of a cloud or even the structure in a blade of grass could leave most of us in awe if we took the time to look. And that’s exactly what these talented visionaries have done. They’ve been influenced by blossoming gardens, stone quarries and scenic oceans. But more importantly, they’ve been able to translate this into their work. This spring, take advantage of the beauty in natural elements and let it show through your everyday wardrobe choices.