SPRING BLUSH : So long, drab earth tones! This season, women are making a beeline for pastels and softer styles.

This spring has seen a rebirth of baby blue, pink and other pastels, a fashion phenomenon that some are calling a baby boom.

There are pink straw hats and powder blue patent leather skinny belts--the season’s must-have accessory. Handbags and backpacks come in everything from a faint blush suede to bubble-gum pink satin, and strappy leather sandals in all of the sherbet shades.

Accessories that look like they’ve been dipped in Easter egg dye are designed to go with the pastel fashions on parade this spring, and women--bored of beige and black--are snapping them up.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had baby doll blue, pink and mint colors,” says Valentin Siroon, manager of Privilege in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa. “It’s a softer, more feminine look.”

The new pastels often have a shine to them. They’re turning up on satin and even patent leather, which is enjoying a rare springtime revival.

“We’re used to seeing patent in black--not pink,” Siroon says.

Some of the pink bags look like something Barbie would carry. Privilege has Grace Kelly handbags in baby blue and pink patent leather ($38), as well as strappy pastel sandals ($110). There are backpacks in bubble-gum pink satin, including one with pink fuzzy feather trim ($78).

These girlish accessories go with the season’s softer fashions, such as Privilege’s baby doll dresses with their empire waists and dainty shoulder straps adorned with small bows that come in mint, pale blue or pink satin ($88).

“We’re going from hard-core sexy short-short dresses and skirts to softer baby doll dresses,” Siroon says.

Jewelry also has the look of something worn by little girls. Dainty earrings with pink stones and wispy necklaces have replaced the clunky, heavy-metal jewelry of the past.

“We’ve always sold huge earrings, and we still do, but now we’re seeing more of the tiny earrings,” says Pat Waxman, owner of Apropos in Fashion Island Newport Beach.

Apropos has a large collection of necklaces and earrings with small cut crystals and smooth glass beads in pale shades of amethyst, green, peach, rose and powder blue--all strung on delicate chains. There’s a long strand of glass beads in shades of peach, aquamarine, pale amethyst and blue ($136), a Victorian-style chain necklace strung with pale pink crystals ($86) and tiny vintage-looking drop earrings with pink pearls and crystals ($86).

While some say the resurgence of pastels reflects women’s longing for feminine looks, others argue that the pastels are simply a reaction to the dark, earthy hues of fall.

“Pastels feel fresher and newer because we haven’t seen them in a while,” Waxman says. “But a woman doesn’t need to wear pastels to feel feminine.”

*

No matter what the reason, pastels come as a relief to women who hated the way they looked in beige.

“Last year it was all natural tones. Those of us who don’t wear natural colors well were going crazy. We looked like corpses,” says Christine Austin, manager of Accessory Lady in Brea Mall.

Those who can wear pastels well are in their element now. Accessory Lady has pastel hats, hair accessories, necklaces and even socks. Austin carries straw hats in peach or cream with mint green leaves or silk flowers ($32 and up), and pastel scrunchies, headbands, hair bows and other hair accessories ($8 to $12).

To be sure, pastels never disappeared from fashion entirely. Orange County women in particular have a tradition of preferring lighter hues.

“People here love pastel because of the sun,” says Astrid Bras, co-owner of It’s a Jungle in Santa Ana. “We have women who have been wearing pastels since the ‘60s. We always have pastels in our line, but they’re really strong this spring.” This season the accessory company introduced straw hats, dangle earrings and belts in pastel hues.

Earrings and hats were adorned with feathers and crystals tinted in pale yellow, peach, pink and blue. It’s a Jungle accessories are carried at the Golden Galleon in Dana Point and Sutton Place in Laguna Beach. Hats range from $69 to $100 and earrings from $39 to $79.

Those who love pastels but think they can’t wear them shouldn’t dismiss them too quickly.

“I’ve always felt women can wear any color they’d like to wear,” Waxman says. “If you love a color, you can make it work.”

She advises changing one’s makeup to complement the paler hues. That way, anyone can be in the pink.