Spring Trends I've Adored

Spring 2012 has put a lot of new trends and styles into the spotlight; whether they've been brought back from the past, reinvented in a whole new way, or inspired from the current day and future. This year's line up involved a lot of prints, ladylike silhouettes and geometric patterns. Brought back to life was the styling's of the 1920's, flapper dresses and all. Sporty cuts clash with accentuating peplums, whereas tribal prints from right out of Africa go hand in hand with bright and bold prints. Pretty shades of pastels are featured in several collections, and dreamy underwater designs are embedded in others. Last but not least, "ab fab" outfits appeared again and again with their daring and sexy cuts.

1. Pulchritudinous in Peplum 

The flared peplum is the definition of elegance and femininity, accentuating a woman's curves with a formal approach. Designed in dresses, skirt and tops, the peplum style appeared on countless catwalks. The outfits came in bright pops of colour, bold prints, cool metallic or classic black, proving their chameleon-like grace and effortlessness. This style is best worn on petite girls as they highlight and create more bodacious curves, and can be paired with patterns or just simple solid colours.

http://www.polyvore.com/peplum_lovin/set?id=49205657

2. Bare Bellies

If you've got it, flaunt it! This season's gradual return to summer warmth has brought back the cropped and bustier tops. These ab-tastic tops came in all patterns, prints, shapes and materials. Exciting prints, like Dolce & Gabanna's pepper print, make for a fun outfit, whereas lace makes a look elegant and timeless. Sailor stripes bring a casual yet classic approach, leather toughens up the attire and gives a rebellious edge, and curved shapes and cut outs add a pinch of sex appeal. If you've got a flat tummy and the confidence to own it, this garment is perfect for you.

http://www.polyvore.com/bustier_cropped_tops/set?id=49205979

3. Into The Wild

This season's trends were inspired not from Europe and America like the origins of the brands, but right out from African culture. Aztec prints owned the runways, particularly Michael Kors' safari-esque collection. Designed in either bright or earthy colours, animal and tribal patterns work best as a single statement piece paired with a simple outfit. 

http://www.polyvore.com/tribal_prints/set?id=49206418

4. Lively Prints

Vivid colours blended with quirky or floral prints were the perfect match to bring some colour back into fashion after winter's much more muted hues. Prints were paired together to make one whole dazzling look, or combined with basic pieces to create a more toned down yet still bold outfit. While you mightn't quite be able to afford these killer threads above, you can settle for some of the equally stunning pieces below!

http://www.polyvore.com/bold_prints/set?id=49207249

5. Underwater Utopia

Designers were influenced by the whimsical and relaxing theme of the ocean, infusing beautiful hues of blue, and saltwater creatures and plants into their pieces. Alexander McQueen's coral dress reflected the beauty of the ocean's foliage, whereas Mary Katrantzou took photographs of underwater scences and printed them onto her dresses. Other designers illuminated their pieces with shell-like patterns, or painted either soft blue waves or big crashing waves with darker colours. These pieces are perfect to ring in the beginnings of summer days spent relaxing by the beach. 

http://www.polyvore.com/underwater/set?id=49216203

6. Pretty Pastels

Pale colours make an outfit delicate and feminine, mixing especially well with floral patterns - perfect for spring! Louis Vuitton was most famous this season for their pastel, floral and feathery dresses matched with fresh faced beauties. Pastel pieces came in all shapes and sizes; as short body con dresses, blazers and trousers, or long flowy dresses. Pale colours look great on most skin tones; just beware of more out there colours like yellow for lighter skin colours. Pair these divine hues with other feminine pieces for a classic lady-like outfit, or match them with metallics to give them a bit of edge.

http://www.polyvore.com/pastels/set?id=49219130

7. Sporty Spice

Whereas some designers opted for pretty looks, others brought out the casual and chicness of sportswear in their collections. Michael Kors' safari style still maintained a sporty edge, and Victoria Beckham's collection incorporated chic hoodies with skirts and sandals. Geometric prints and cuts were designed with sneakers or clean cut strappy shoes to highlight the build of an athletic body. Don't be afraid to wear some more casual pieces so long as you combine it with something chic or a bit more formal. 

http://www.polyvore.com/sporty/set?id=49221381

8. Great Gatsby Girls

Collections are almost always influenced each season by an era in the past. This spring, it was the glamorous flapper dresses of the 1920's that made an impression on designers. Dubbed 'The Great Gatsby' style, a book written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the twenties was a decade of sophisticated and conservative party dresses. These elegant garments have this year been reinvented into a more sexy look, with metallic tones, deep plunged necklines, shear fabrics and cut out designs. These styles are traditionally worn with headbands, glitzy clutches and heels, and have stayed quite similar through the years. The modern version, however, involves less hair accessories, more strappy heels and the same level of glam - great for parties and big events. 

http://www.polyvore.com/twenties_style/set?id=49222613

I hope you've enjoyed this seasons trends as much as I have! Designers never seem to shy away from past styles, as they invent new ways to present these trends each year. I, personally, have definitely gotten into the pastel colours, despite not owning that many pieces. I've also loved bustier and crop tops, and own several myself. I would love to own a peplum dress or skirt, though I don't have one yet, and I think bold prints are unique and fun, especially when worn to parties!

All catwalk images obtained from websites such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire and others...