The '60s are back — again — in fashion. The first clue: those mini dresses that are expected to be everywhere this spring and summer. Second clue: the bold colors and geometric patterns on the dresses, not to mention blouses, tops, slacks, shoes, bags, belts, jewelry and headgear.

"Fashion is having a mod moment," says Laurie Brookins, senior fashion editor at Ocean Drive and Vegas magazines. "There's a lot of '60s influence on the runways, a lot of A-line and trapeze dresses. And graphic, geometric patterns play well in those shapes."

And young women are discovering the appeal of mod for the first time. "Girls in their 20s, who weren't even gleams in their mothers' eyes in the '60s, see it as young and fun and fabulous."

But how to wear the look without resembling a walking test pattern? Brookins examines how to channel the '60s today:

CHUNKY, NOT CLUNKY

Sometimes a bag or a scarf or a piece of chunky jewelry is enough. "If you're doing a cute khaki shift dress, and you throw an amazing Pucci scarf around your neck, that's a flawless look that's going to be just as fabulous next year or five years from now."

DON'T GO OVERBOARD

"This is a very 'Look at me' idea, so you want to make sure you don't spill over into fashion-victim territory. Say you have a black-, white- and aqua-patterned dress. You'd pair that with a great pair of white or black shoes but not aqua."

FOR ALL BODY TYPES

Go minimalist when pairing geometrics. "Never mix two prints. Pair a solid with a geometric in whatever color works with the print." And go for spare lines: "a pencil skirt, not ruffle skirt. Capri pants or even a wide-legged pant but not a cuffed pant. You don't want to pull the eye away from the graphic print."

Plus, the look works on curves. "A graphic print top paired with black pants to minimize it is for every body type."

T-STRAP IS BACK

"A T-strap sandal might marry very nicely" with a geometric print top. And though flats are everywhere this spring, "it depends on the woman. It might be totally cute, but maybe a platform sandal will help lengthen the leg."