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Arts & Entertainment

Trend Watch: Spring-Summer 2012

Patch has the lowdown on 6 must-have fashion trends for the upcoming season.

Whether it’s the influence of the lady Brit royals or a backlash against Kardashian style, fashion for spring/summer 2012 is a return to a tailored, classic and sophisticated woman. 

Here is a recap of the six trends most dominant on the runways for Spring/Summer 2012:

1. Hemlines drop and pleats are in: Sexy will no longer mean short hemlines, super-tight dresses, and silhouettes that keep Pilates instructors rich, but soft, easy-to-wear, pleated and ruched miracle clothing that shows off all the best of a woman’s assets. Pleats and darts were in abundance at the Tracy Reese show, allowing women to breath even in pencil skirts, which were often matched with simple white blouses and short pleated jackets.

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2. Color is as muted as it is vibrant with energetic pops here, there and everywhere: Lesser-known designer Son Jung Wan showed a collection of almost all neutral colors (whites and tans), with high-waisted shorts, skirts, and cigarette pants. The best piece in the show was a loosely constructed leather dress in a natural tan, adorned with delicate ties at the shoulder. One designer who believes color is the way to a women’s hearts is Gwen Stefani. Her line, L.A.M.B., offered soft tribal prints with pops of color in the form of skinny belts, large totes, and platform shoes. Custo Barcelona took color to his usual over-the-top levels in a striking bubble mini-dress in a snakeskin print.

3. “Short/Long” dresses: These are dresses that appear to be minis from the front, but offer long flowing maxis in back. Shown in Wan’s collection in an ombre silk dress, and in designer Carlos Miele’s kaftan-style dress complete with kimono sleeves, all in bold oranges and greens—style in the coming months is simple, strong, clean and no-nonsense. 

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4. Hats have a made a huge comeback: Tracy Reese turned traditional 1940s chapeaus to the side with boxy straw hats; easy to wear day or night. 

5. Lace will continue to be hot in SS 2012: Anything girly – bows, lace or muted colors – will dominate the SS season. 

6. Shorts are the new minis: Fashionistas, listen closely. If you work on no other body part from now until the spring, work those legs! Shorts are the hot item. And we aren't talking booty huggers, but beautifully cut and finely tailored shorts that can go anywhere, even from the office to cocktails.

The greatest rule for fashion is to know that there really are no rules. And designers are very aware that women are watching their spending and making the most of the wardrobes they have.

Almost all the designers offered something for everyone, but the trend that seemed to weave its way through almost every show was the presence of a very grown-up look.

Vintage to new, the look that ultimately sells is the one that makes women look and feel good.

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