Women’s spring 2012 fashion trends
5 pieces to keep for the New Year
As the seasons turn, we look not just to new trends but to new ways to interpret the pieces already in our wardrobes. And this year the options are many. So what to keep from fall? Here are 5 key pieces from last season that will continue to serve you well into spring / summer 2012.
1960s fashion
Yes there’s the 1970s revival, but there’s also a revival for the decade the 70s replaced. The swinging 60s are back as a spring / summer 2012 fashion trend.While it’s a revival that was born with the first season of Mad Men, for spring 2012 the trend has lost its pure-American tones to become thoroughly British. Follow the link to our 1960s fashion guide see what’s on trend.
1950s fashion
There was a hint of it as the early ’60s inspirations blurred through; now, for spring 2012, the decade of the 1950s gets a thorough reworking. Some interpretations are rebelliously rockabilly, some decidedly sweet; but the most popular way to wear the trend this year is with a sultry mix of both.Follow the link to our 1950s fashion guide for more details of how to wear it.
1920s fashion
Another era is making a return, and its influences are here to stay for spring 2012. Born of a perfect storm of cultural references – the likes of TV show Boardwalk Empire and upcoming Great Gatsby film – the new take on flapper fashion is roaring twenties with a modern twist. Elements of the Deco 30s will also creep their way in.Keep an eye on our 1920s fashion guide for more.
Art Deco fashion
The design movement that brought us geometric shapes, symmetry and modernism is another aspect of the ’20s and ’30s being revived in 2012. Whether given a glamorous edge or a minimalistic one, Art Deco design is inspiring a subplot for the spring 2012 season that looks to art and architecture as its guides.Keep an eye on our Art Deco guide for more.
Tribal / ethnic fashion
It’s evolved over the past few years, and now the trends of tribal and ethnic fashion have been reborn with a new focus on prints and texture. Less fierce and more organic, it’s a spring 2012 trend that makes it easy to stand out in a crowd.Follow the link to our Tribal / ethnic fashion guide for more.
Sportswear
Another evolving trend, sportswear in spring 2012 goes minimalist and sleek. Less about channeling a particular sports uniform and more about turning something beautiful into something functional, sportswear has a newfound luxuriousness for both boys and girls.Follow the link to our sporty fashion guide for more details of how to wear it.
The mermaid
Plucked from the story books and pinned to mood boards everywhere, this mythical creature is a style icon of the season. Forget the sweeping fishtail gowns, though; for spring 2012 she’s all about the burnished gold sequins, the metallic leathers, and the underwater-inspired accessories.Follow the link to read more about the mermaid as fashion inspiration.
Spring layering
Who said layering is only for the colder months? Layering is also a key way to keep your spring outfits interesting, fresh, and – conversely as it may sound – sensual. This year it’s all about how you cover up and how you reveal.Follow the link to our spring / summer layering guide for more detail and ideas on how to layer up this spring.
Multi-tone prints
For spring, prints make the move from being patterns to being abstract splashes of art. Whether it’s a kaleidoscope of fragmented colour or mix of geometric shapes, going multi-tone means opportunity for quirky and unique looks that make clothing a canvas.Follow the link to our multi-tone prints guide for more.
Tailored shorts
No longer the realm of just suiting, 2012 puts tailored shorts on the fashion map in bold new ways. They may be high-waisted and feminine or taking shape in directional fabrics like leather or lace; the key is to keep it fresh, sharp, and luxurious.Follow the link to our tailored shorts guide for more detail.
Yellow colour trend
It’s the pinnacle of optimism, reminiscent of sunshine and citrus summer fruits. This year yellow gets its own dedicated guide, being one of the year’s strong colour trends. We look at which hues are big and how you can inject them into your wardrobe. Read the full yellow trend guide for more.
High waisted skirts
While skirts are always a woman’s fashion staple, it’s the silhouette and the shape that changes. For spring 2012 there’s a key requirement to an on-trend skirt: a high waist. Whether it’s pencil cut, flowing or full, a high waist flatters as well as complimenting many of the season’s other trends. The crop top and high waisted skirt are particularly a power combination of the year. Read more about high waisted skirts.
Mesh / perforation
Hand-in-hand with the sports fashion of the season, fabrics get a breathable makeover with meshing and perforation. But mesh doesn’t have to stay in the realm of the sporty: it’s also given many a feminine application in 2012.Follow the link to our mesh guide to find out how to wear it come spring.
Statement collars
The humble shirt gets a bold reworking in 2012 with collars that are embellished, contrasting, removable or otherwise intricately detailed. The rest can stay as is, but the collar gets the spotlight directed on it this year.Follow the link to our statement collars guide for more.
Apron dress
Aprons, those little pieces of fabric that have such connotations of wholesome vintage housewifery through to kitchen complexity, are quietly cooking up a storm in spring / summer 2012. But don’t think of this as a literal example of the apron worn fashionably – anything but. Instead an apron motif features as one of the embellishments of spring 2012′s dresses. Read our full guide to the apron dress and skirt to find out all about this fashion trend and how to wear it.
Swimwear and bikini trends for 2012
While it’s unlikely that you’ll wear one in winter, with the ease of which we can travel to sunny destinations it seems that there’s always the need to have statement swimwear on-hand. And for that reason the in-fashion styles evolve slowly. Read our guide on fashionable swimsuits and bikinis to find out the styles and elements that will be in fashion in 2012.Spring 2012 hair trends
2012 hairstyles & hair trends
Before you’ve even decided what you’re going to wear for the day your hair cut will go a long way to defining your look. But it’s the way that you style your hair that will really set you apart. Read Fashionising.com’s guide to 2012 hairstyles for a full run down and lots of tutorials of all the on trend cuts, colours and styles for spring / summer 2012.
2012 men’s hairstyles
What’s on trend in the men’s hair department for spring / summer 2012 as well as the whole year? This season Fashionising.com takes you through the full spectrum of men’s hairstyles and haircuts, giving you all the information you need from what to ask your hairdresser for, through to how to style it.Spring 2012 beauty trends
Spring 2012 beauty trends
Fashionising.com’s guide to 2012 beauty trends looks not just at which colours, styles, and products to work into your spring makeup repertoire, but at how to recreate the best of the runway looks for yourself. With tutorials and step-by-step beauty guides, follow the link to find out which beauty and makeup looks you should make your own in 2012.
Spring 2012 make-up you can wear right now
Whether it’s currently spring / summer or autumn / winter where you live, you don’t have to wait for spring / summer 2012 to roll around to get in on the action. Fashionising.com’s guide to some of the key spring 2012 beauty looks will take you through 6 upcoming makeup trends you can wear right now. Follow the link for pictures and how-to tips.Spring 2012 accessory trends
If it’s clothes that make the man, then it’s the accessories that set an outfit apart. Below you’ll find a list of the spring 2012 accessory trends that are influencing spring 2012 fashion.
Doctor’s bag
Generally each year has an it bag, the handbag so chic and on-trend that it becomes a must have. The it bag for 2012, however, is nowhere to be found. There’s a lot of reasons for that, but consider yourself lucky: it means you’re far less likely to turn up an event with exactly the same handbag on your arm as someone else. Instead, for spring 2012 handbag and accessory trends turn to key themes, such as the doctor’s bag. Follow the link to find out who has designed it, and which on-trend variations of the handbag have been made.
Removable collar
When the best philosophy is actually a smaller (more curated) wardrobe, accessories find themselves with a more defining role. This is one of them: the detachable collar that can be worn stand alone, over, under, on top of or inside. Versatile and flexible, it’s an accessory for 2012 that works in so many ways. Read more about the removable collar for 2012.
Cameo jewellery
Once the realm of your grandmother’s jewellery box, the cameo gets a whimsical makeover in 2012. From oversized, colourful pendants, to more faithful brooch interpretations, it’s a little piece of vintage goodness that’ll add something to an outfit.Follow the link to our cameo accessories guide for more details of how to wear it.
Men’s spring 2012 fashion trends
Loose / relaxed tailoring
For so long it’s been all about slim and skinny cuts for men. Emerging from 2011 and continuing into spring 2011, that won’t be the case. Skinny won’t be out, but something else is certainly in. Read our guide to the men’s relaxed tailoring style to find out about the in-fashion cuts of outerwear, jackets and trousers, including inspiration on how to wear the look.Other spring 2012 fashion trends
Future of denim
Looking at not just the styles of denim jeans but also the business side of things, this guide takes you through the future of denim giving you an indication of where styles will evolve and which denim labels will dominate the future. Read about the future of denim to get an insight into jeans in spring 2012 and beyond.
