1. Pleats

Pleats of all sorts and sizes have been a top fashion trend thus far on 2012 runways. Pleated skirts, shirts, pants and dresses add a bit of dimension to any style. This trend doesn’t appear to be fading with the winter winds either. Spring line-ups of 2012 have continued to possess a wide range of folded features.

 

2. Neon

As if to rebel against the long run of nude and subdued shades the fashion realm has seen of late, neon crashed the scene this year in vibrant form. Neon was a popular colour trend of the ‘80s, and is certainly not the only fashion trend on the Autumn top ten list from that particular decade. This year seemed all about bringing the past back.

 

3. Pastels, sherbet, orange, and other warm tones

In the colour world of Autumn fashion there were some conflicting ideals, however. The eye-popping high intensity neon craze of the season sat in sharp contrast with a refreshing dose of soft pastels, sherbet or “Easter egg” colours such as lavender and pink, and warm tones like brown, red and yellow with an overwhelming appearance of orange. Shades of orange, tangerine  in particular, debuted as the season’s hot new colour, one that is expected to stick around for Spring, mimicking nature itself.

 

4. Peplum

A peplum, in case you are wondering, is a ruffle or short overskirt of sorts added to a skirt or dress, and this year they were everywhere. The peplum is seeing love for its innate skill to add a natural “womanly” curvature by creating fullness at the hip of any ensemble. Peplums are another ‘80s relic that made the runways in 2012 and continue to prove popular.

 

5.‘20s Style drop-waist dresses

The ‘80s weren’t the only decade that inspired this year’s fashion trends, drop-waist dresses from the roaring ‘20s also made the line-up, though this fashion trend did in fact see a come-back in the ‘80s as well. Drop-waist outfits feature a lower waist line, about 2 inches below your natural waist. They are ideal for the long-legged ladies of the fashion world, but may not be as flattering on the more vertically challenged. Don’t worry there was a waist line trend for the more petite fashionista…

 

6.‘50s High waist

Much like the colour palette this year, designers couldn’t seem to settle on where the waist line should lie. The drop waist was rivalled in popularity only by its complete opposite, the high-waist style of ‘50s fashion. ‘50s-like house wear inspired clothing has become a rising trend for 2012. High waist choices feature a waist about two inches above your natural, and tend to be better suited for more petite frames.

 

7.Sport-inspired styles

Sport-inspired fashion went beyond the typical dash of sportswear seen each year. Instead, everyday casual wear took on aspects of professional athlete attire from skiers and tennis players to jockeys and weight lifters. Sports and fitness type attire was again popular in, you guessed it, the ‘80s.

 

Just For Spring - What's On The Doorstep

 

Bra tops, midriffs and bare mid-sections

 

Certainly a trend that has no idea of the rising worldwide obesity rate, Spring 2012 will mark the seemingly by-the-decade return of bra tops, midriff clothing, and bare-it-all middle section designs that saw in-style moments in the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and again in the ‘90s before vanishing again until the next decade came to dawn. If you’re brave enough, this is surely a style fit for Spring.

 

By the sea

 

An out-of-the-blue addition to the hot Spring 2012 fashion trends, are ocean prints and nautical themes. The “water” theme this year presented itself in an ocean of ways from seashell handbags, pearl accessories, mint and sea foam colours, and literal aquatic prints. This is one trend that may not have staying power, but what girl didn’t want to look like a mermaid at some point? 

 

The more general print theme seemed to be “digital” prints, ocean-inspired or not, that were originally digital photographs. Playing on popularity of technology, digital prints are more likely to stick around than mermaids.

 

Translucent shoes

 

Finally, we end at your feet. The hottest 2012 trend in shoes is hard to see, literally—being it was the use of translucent materials in everything from flip-flops to stilettos. The neon of the clothing world also slipped into the shoe department, but not enough so to top the overwhelming appearance of clear shoes. Perhaps this trend is aimed at showing off that fantastic new Spring manicure. Whatever the truth, at Starlettos Central, we are getting ready for an influx of orders for the ever-popular Starlettos Crystal.

 

If the abundance of ‘80s stolen styles is any indication, staying in style this spring may be as easy as raiding your closet (or your mum's closet!) from the good old days, though this wouldn’t be the first time the past has briefly graced the trends of current fashion. 

Author: Ilde Naismith-Beeley