The spring of 2012 has delighted us with numerous fashion trends, each of them unique and marvelous to look at. There was a style for everyone and designers simply presented their best work in an attempt to surprise the audience and offer a show. In just a few words, the spring season was one of the richest ones yet so it wouldn’t be fair to try to list all the trends in one article, instead, we can focus one something that has caught our attention with its innovative style.
Camouflage has been adopted by the fashion industry a while back so it isn’t something that most people would consider new, quite the contrary actually. This spring, the camo pattern has been combined with something we all know to be fashionable, colors. The colorful camo was become a big fashion trend in 2012 and the feminine outfits that have this style offer something totally different from what we are used to. The camouflage patterns are no longer meant to offer a heavy-duty look but instead are designed to be more subtle and feminine. This soft look created with the help of pastel colors is the opposite of previous years and it fits in perfect with the current trends.
If you plan on embracing this trend as your own in the urban jungle, you should know that it can be very easy to accessorize as it does most of the work while still being subtle. Work outfits in colorful camo or just something for a casual look can look great during the spring/summer. Short dresses, just above the knee or two piece outfits are very popular and it is recommended to keep the look simple and fresh; some light make-up with a touch of color is the only thing you need to pull off this look.
This fashion trend is not meant to be as flashy as some of the other styles that are popular this season so it is prefect for when you want to take a break from wearing all orange outfits and try something a bit more subtle. Pastel colors as well as black, grey and white patterns are always a good choice.
With summer almost here, it’s pretty obvious that we need some light and colorful summer bags that would enhance our day and outfit. Here are some of the handbags that you can wear this summer and make everybody envious.
Light fabric bags – forget about leather handbags, this summer is all about light fabric and comfortable bags; the best thing about these is also the fact that they come in various colors. If you are the type of person that wears dull colors like grey, while, black or brown, adding one of this handbags to your wardrobe can be a great improvement, they will be that bright spot on your outfit.
Contrasting colors – for an interesting look you can choose a handbag with contrasting colors such as blue and brown, while and black or red and green. These are very fashionable this season and they also manage to bring an exquisite touch to any outfit. Don’t be afraid to wear contrasts, they will make you unique.
Ethnic handbags – these are great if you want to impress and add something completely new to your outfit. They come in various types, from Indian ethnic handbags to those with African motifs and they can be combined with almost anything, even a more elegant outfit.
Simple handbags – if you don’t like to show off something too colorful or something with too many elements, you can opt for a simple handbag; but since it’s summer, you can get that handbag in a bright color. Some of the bright colors that are definitely trendy this year are baby blue, peach, bright orange, mint green or lemon. You don’t have to buy something that goes overboard to give color to your outfit.
It doesn’t really matter what size your handbag is, there’s no trend concerning sizes so if you are the type of woman who likes big handbags and likes to bring everything with her, you don’t have to worry, you can have a big handbag as long as it’s bright or unique somehow. So how about choosing a cool handbag to make sure that you enjoy this summer and stay beautiful?
The gaiters
After the return of mule slippers for the summer of 2012, the cold season witnesses another comeback: that of gaiters. In overboot form with Victoria Beckham and Anthony Vaccarello or as a soft sock with Alexander McQueen, the gaiter has returned in fashion, but in the fluorescent sport version of the 90s. The atmosphere of baroque romanticism brought along by the Dolce & Gabanna show was enhanced by the different styles of gaiters made of various fabrics such as leather and lace.
Long gloves
Another accessory that could be seen everywhere on the catwalks - the long gloves are worn on bare arms and obviously, if temperatures permit, with very short sleeves. They have different lengths – below or just above the elbow – and most of them are white or black. However, they can also be colored, such as the blue or red models by Lavin, finished with sparkles and accompanying exquisite evening gowns.
The corset belt
The belt is essential accessory for the winter season of 2012/13. The more adventurous have the possibility to opt for the XL version of a corset belt which will be worn squarely on top of the jacket or coat for a radical look. Leather with Haider Ackermann, fabric with Fendi or steel with Acne, closed with a buckle or straps, the oversized belts structure the silhouette. They can have rounded shapes or they can come in the traditional form, but they all highlight the waist and the bust
The cap
Last but not least, women’s heads did not remain unaccessorized and they will be adorned during the cold season by peaked or neo newsboy style caps for a casual chic look. It comes in the shape of a church bell with Louis Vuitton, while with Hermes, it is a merely masculine black hat.
The army trend has not succeeded to establish itself permanently into our wardrobes as its degree of desirability is so volatile that it does not seem likely to become one of fashion’s basics. However, the military features emerge now and then making their way towards the front of the stage, by means of the camouflage patterns – the one item of the army trend which has become a classic.
Indeed, with the kaki tones of the latest Givenchy collections and the Monogramouflage series coming from Louis Vuiton, the camouflage pattern seems to impose itself in this year’s fashion. Issued from Marc Jacobs (the artistic director) tight collaboration with the Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, this series includes, as one might expect, a luxurious monogram bag as well as accessories like bracelets and belts that combine the classical Louis Vuiton style with military influences, taking this pattern to a whole new level.
But if on Riccardo Tisci’s catwalk, finely speckled skins of stingrays made ​​a subtle reference to the camouflage patterns, this shows only to a small extent how the street has decided to seize the army trend as many clothes manufacturers have lately honored in their collections these rough versions of patterns that make us think about the U.S. Marine. If the camouflage jacked seems beforehand a lack of taste for some, it is now a fashion gimmick in perfect accordance with the time’s spirit. As the contemporary mood seems to favor superposition, the camouflage pattern is ideal for adding a roots touch to a quilted fabric.
However, fashion advisers warn us, as the camouflage style is not to be abused of. They don’t recommend it from toes to head, but as a nice way to revive a classic pair of jeans or a too dull T-shirt.
There are many colors to choose from when buying new fashion items for 2012 and they all have something special about them. Maybe it is the fact that the classic black and white designs are no longer top of the fashion pyramid or maybe it is because bright colors inspire fun and playfulness but one thing is certain, colorful outfits are a must this season. For those that have difficulties in choosing the perfect color, the answer is quite obvious and it has been presented in great style recently; orange.
 
Orange clothes, orange shoes, orange handbags and even orange makeup; everything that has a nice shade of orange is perfect in 2012. This color can be very versatile and we got to see this recently while fashion designers combined it in various fashion items and it always looked great. Orange can be considered as a color that stands out exactly as much as it has to; it will surely get noticed but it will not blind people who look at it too much.
Dresses are surely the ones that get the most attention in this color and as this season it is all about combining comfort as well as sexy styles, the orange dresses of 2012 will flow loose around the legs while being sexy towards the top. Slim orange dresses can also be great and they will surely show off your curves quite nicely.
Maybe the most important accessory a woman can have, handbags, also look amazing in orange and while it might be a bit tricky to match, once you get it right the results will be superb. Don’t be afraid to try out all orange outfits and maybe use some red shade of orange for the accessories; this look is perfect for a colorful fashion season. If you are not really a big fan of this color, you can just use it for small accessories such as earrings; this will make sure that you look fashionable without having to wear everything in different shades of orange. If, on the other hand, you like this color and it goes well with your skin, then by all means wear it as often as you can.
When it comes to being trendy the idea is not necessary about what clothes you wear but mostly about what kind of patterns you should mix. If you don’t want to risk looking like a person who had no idea what to wear and randomly added something, you need to give pattern mixing a bit of thinking.
Start with something simple – if you are a novice to this you should definitely start with simple patterns that go well together. For example a shirt with rectangular patterns and a less striking pattern like small dots on your skirt. You shouldn’t go overboard unless you really want to make a fashion statement.
Adding accessories – if you have a lot of patterns and you add a lot of accessories you might end up looking like you tried too much in the best case or you came from a mental hospital, worst case scenario. This is why you should keep accessories to a minimal level if your patterns are too obvious. Also, choose accessories with similar lines as your patterns will just make them unnoticeable so if you want your accessories to stand you, you need them to be completely different than what you have on.
Advanced pattern mixing – when trying to mix the same types of patterns don’t choose the same colors, that just looks wrong. Try to create a fun mix by using different contrasts. For example, you can choose to mix black dots on a white shirt with a skirt that has small blue dots on a red background. Also, mixing plain pieces of clothing with patterned ones will create an even greater and trendier contrast.
Pattern mixing is not an art that requires a high skill, just a bit of attention and some common sense. If you are not sure, ask a friend to get a good look at you and feel if there’s something wrong with what you wear, but make sure she gives you her honest opinion.
You might be wondering how flip flops can be fashion items and what purpose do they have in decoration and looking good. While flip flops are not glamour fashion footwear, they are extremely popular among people all ages and they are always worn during summer in a number of ways. This is what makes them fashion items and why it is extremely important to talk about them. So what are flip-flops anyway? Flip-flops are actually slippers which have a Y shaped strap that goes between the person’s toes. They are some of the easiest to wear and most revealing footwear, this is why they are perfect for a summer day, especially at the beach.
The interesting thing about flip-flops is the fact that they were brought from Japan, after the war. Most of them are made from rubber which can be very light and comfortable. Unfortunately, they are also the most common type of footwear in third world countries because manufacturing costs very little and they are extremely cheap.
Most people choose to wear flip-flops for practical reasons but there is also a growing trend involving them, which is definitely rising. Make sure that you always find some flip-flops that will fit you and make you feel comfortable, there is no point in buying them if you just don’t feel like wearing them; they are supposed to be the most comfortable things you worn. Flip-flops usually have a low durability and their strap either snaps or they look worn out; if your strap snaps, you can easily find a replacement if those flip-flops were very comfortable and you like them very much, but it’s usually more effort involved than just buying another pair, since they are so inexpensive. Taking care of your flip-flops should be an easy job, just wipe them with a piece of moist cloth and some detergent after you wear them and they should look brand new.
Flip flops are a great and inexpensive way to feel comfortable during summer and they can also be very fashionable if you choose the right colors that go well with your skin tone and your outfit.
The British capital is the second stage of the fashion frenzy. As always, the land of his gracious majesty is home for the parades of the young guard of designers alongside the big names of English fashion establishments. Eclectic trends could be noticed on the catwalks of this year’s edition of London Fashion Week.
One such example is represented by Simone Rochas, whose romantic-punk style represented the first day’s discovery. TheChantillylace and the silky chiffon created an atmosphere of melancholy and fragility strangely merging with the futurist cuts of a masculine spirit. The Irish young girl, who presented her first collection two years ago, has already defined her style. Like Stella McCartney, Erdem or Roksanda Ilincic, Simone Rocha revisited the English rose. But, she put her personal print on this English archetype of femininity by adding a very energetic touch of punk.
As expected, Moschino brought new surprises for the house’s fans. Indeed, a Moschino collection is not worth of its name without the unusual collection of accessories. In the hair, the models wore large taffeta knots and on their heads, cowboys hats which hid their eyes. On their feet, they had black platforms accented with golden studs. The black and white chromatic duo is chosen by Rossella Jardini for her graphic and geometric prints. Despite the season, all skirts, dresses and coats are short. The Moschino woman of next year’s cold season is a carefree girl who loves to party and to feel feminine.
Another surprise came, on the second day, from Acne where the consensual dark lines of the previous collections gave way to a fine work playing with blue pastel tones, powdery pink and tobacco. The difficult length of under the knee pants is perfectly mastered. The silhouettes are refined and everyone admired the stylish perfecto skirt and sublime tobacco leather jacket.
Prints and Spring/Summer go hand in hand and this is coming out to be truer than ever, this season. The variety of prints and the growing inclination of fashion aficionados towards them has finally made people consider prints as unique, chic, and sophisticated, provided you pair them right with other cloth pieces.
Flaunting fashion sense with latest prints comes naturally to people who know how to look great. Those of you who wish to stay updated and keep an eye on the latest print trends that are going to mark their territory in this spring/summer 2012 can read below:
1. Floral Prints – Floral prints are every woman’s friend because they are not only good to look at but are also soothing to the eyes in this hot season. This is the reason why it comes back every summer to feature in every fashion conscious woman’s wardrobe. Many style divas, in an attempt to look unique, even try to make their own customized classic costumes from this print.
 As Spring/Summer 2012 is all about being trendy, floral prints have seen some experimentation too. There has been a lot of color blocking and bold contrasts have been used my designers. Some designers have combined floral prints and geometrical patterns and the results have been impressive.
 Top Designers – Iceberg, Alberta Ferretti, Proenza Schouler, Kevork Kiledjian.
 2. Nature Prints – Nature prints are a new entry but they are looking very good and soothing, especially when combined with all the summery colors. It seems that the fashion industry is contributing to the environment in its own little way as trees, leaves, sea, sun and flowers are seen to be getting featured in the collections of many designers.
Top Designers – Holy Fulton, Alberta Ferretti, Dries Van Noten.
 3. Animal Prints – Animal prints are not only being seen in the usual zebra, leopard and snakeskin prints but this season has welcomed full body prints of sea creatures, tigers, birds, cats and even lizards. Living up to its expectations, Spring/Summer 2012 is all about being wild.
Top Designers – Dsquared2, Versace, Mary Katrantzou.
 4. Ethnic and Geometrical Prints – Ethnic prints not only look cool but they will also make you stand out in a crowd. If you are bold and can don’t mind turning heads, you must give ethnic prints a shot. Geometrical prints are being seen everywhere, be it zigzags, triangles, polka dots or checks. They are also being combined with other patterns to create an abstract look.
Top Designers – Etro, Holy Fulton.
 5. Kaleidoscopic Prints – If you like abstract, you will love these prints. You can wear your attire in a single print, or you can mix and match a little. They are a delight to look and give you a young, happy and bright look.
Top Designers – Matthew Williamson, Roccobarocco, Julien McDonald.
 6. Stripes – Stripes are best worn for formal occasions and are often shelved with office wear. This season, stripes have gone trendy and chic. You can not only wear vertical and horizontal stripes but diagonal stripes too.
Top Designers – Daks, Fendi, Vivienne Westwood.
If you want to be creative, experiment with the above prints. Combine flowers with checks and animal prints with stripes to create a different, yet fresh look. Fashion is all about trying something new and this is especially true for Spring/Summer 2012.
Erica Simon is a fashion expert with 5 years of experience under her belt and is now also an aspiring beauty expert. She firmly believes in the goodness of Olay Total Effects for anti-aging. Â
When it comes to handbags, there are so many styles, shapes and brands available that there is always that one perfect bag that would complete your look. One type of bags that has become quite popular over the years and it still holding strong this season is the messenger bag. Young people, boys and girls, find messenger bags to be the perfect representation of their style and their generation; not to mention that it is also pretty comfortable and perfect for going to class because it can easily hold the necessary books and even a laptop.
The messenger bag can be found in many shapes and colors but the main design is always there. It is usually a rectangular handbag that has a long shoulder strap for maximum comfort. The medium size is the most popular because it offers perfect practicality while maintaining the casual look everybody loves so much. Black is the most common color for messenger bags but colorful patterns are always an option. The interior is usually made out of one or two large compartments with interior or exterior zipper pockets. Cotton as well as leather are the most popular materials used to create luxury messenger bags.
The name comes from the resemblance these fashionable bags have with the ones used by bicycle messengers. They have a long strap that allows the currier to wear it across the body and let it hang on one side or on the back. This allows messengers to carry medium sized envelops and magazines while riding a bike.
Of course, no one is expecting you to use your messenger bag on a bike but more for fashion purposes. The thing that makes them so popular is actually their anti-fashion message which youngsters adore. The hip element is there and it can be seen quite clearly and the flat side surface is the perfect place for custom decoration and so every messenger bag can be unique and personal and it can show a side of the person wearing it.