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Spring is in the air. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the grass is suddenly lush and green, the birds chirp cheerfully outside our windows and daylight blissfully extends to the evening hours.

Such a heavenly hiatus from the previous months of arctic chill is cause for celebration, and celebrate we do! Spring is the season where parties and events abound, as people experience a reinvigorated appreciation for life.

Besides garden and patio parties, picnics, fairs and outdoor evening soirees, the months between April and August are filled with graduation parties, class reunions, bridal showers, and the a whole slew of celebratory occasions. While all these fetes are cause for excitement, they do propose the fateful dilemma one encounters every year around this time: what to wear for each affair.

As may be expected, what's appropriate attire for an afternoon garden party is a ghastly match for the graduation dinner. To ease your angst and keep the serenity of spring in full-force, here's a guide to creating the perfect outfit for every occasion one might encounter this spring. And, of course, which pairings will make sure you're the life of the springtime party!

Let's begin with the formal affairs of spring. For the college or high school graduation, it's important to look sophisticated and dress respectfully. Save the low-cut tops, lace, blue jeans, and tennis shoes for the streets! Graduation ceremonies and parties call for clean-cut, simple looks. Ladies might opt for a floral-print sun dress with strappy sandals and a classic clutch, while gentlemen should don either a traditional suit or blazer and khakis. Also be mindful that your outfit does not upstage the graduate. Remember, you're a tribute-paying guest, not the main attraction.

For the springtime wedding, you'll also want to keep it formal and sophisticated. Remember, the guests at weddings range from adolescent brothers to Ma and Pop to Great Aunt Gertrude. Mind your manners and choose conservative clothing appropriate for all age groups. Options include elegant sundresses and pantsuits for the ladies, and strictly suits or tuxes for the guys. Whatever you choose, never, ever, sport something so eye-catching that your attire sparks more buzz than the bride and groom themselves.

As for a fancy black-tie gala, the men are pretty much locked-in to what tradition deems acceptable attire: tuxedo or suit. The ladies, however, have a bit more leeway. While the ensemble should be a dress-preferably long-it need not be basic black or white, as many women believe. In fact, dresses and gowns can be of any color, from radiant hues to earth-tones.

The main criterion for choosing a formal evening dress is material. Gowns should not be overly cluttered by floral prints or geometric shapes. Rather, a perfect gown will be one made of an elegant fabric, like taffeta, or a satin creation embossed with Swarovsky crystals. Streamlined hems that gracefully flow across curves are always flattering for formal fetes. Whatever is opted for should be blatantly formal and flanked by sensual heels and a clutch handbag.

For more casual festivities, your clothing options are open to broader interpretations. If headed to a backyard barbecue, one might choose anything from slouchy jeans and a tee-shirt to fitted trousers and a dressy blouse, or button-down shirt for the fellas. The chosen ensemble for each affair depends upon personal preference, temperature and the other guests.

Just one caveat exists: where there's barbecue, there's potential for some major mess. Therefore, save those whites for nights when greasy ribs and ketchup-covered hot dogs aren't on the menu.

For that late-afternoon Memorial Day cocktail party, casual elegance should be the outfit scheme. This means pairing fitted white capri pants with a sexy peasant blouse (call upon designers like Chloe and Walter for inspiration), and a pair of eye-catching jeweled sandals. Since this particular springy affair begins nearer to dusk, make sure to bring a cover-up for the evening-a blazer or cardigan for guys, or light cashmere shawl for the ladies.

If the cocktail party involves a pool, and you're body-beautiful enough to let it all hang out, ladies should do it up, emulating over-the-top glamour goddesses like Mariah Carey and J. Lo, opting for "pool-side chic." This means a skimpy bikini or one-piece cutout suit-think Valentino, Dior, or Versace-with sky-high stilettos and a transparent wrap. Oh so sexy, in that "look-at-me" kind of way.

As for the mid-afternoon garden party, keep it elegant-as if you were headed to afternoon tea. Most appropriate would be a head-to-toe white look-pantsuit, skirt or dress-simple jewelry, and a straw or wicker tote. Essential to the outdoor garden party look is a stylish pair of shades. Invest in one of this season's gargantuan aviators or transparent lenses with thick white frames.

Finally, for an afternoon picnic or school function, ultra-casual is the way to go. Keep in mind that school-held events and picnics often involve outdoor games and activities, not to mention grass-based seating-both enemies of fine clothing. Thus, sport something comfortable and dirt-friendly, like Nantucket red capris, a simple tank-top or blouse and a pair of comfy flats.

With an array of style choices for any upcoming celebration, your only worry lies in finding the time to attend them all! So take a cleansing breath of that lilac-laden air, slip into a chic look and party hearty in the warmth and splendor.

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