Top 5 Women’s Spring/Summer 2012 Trends

Colin Dawidziuk | May 1, 2012 | 1 Comments

Each season, trends drive what we buy, how we wear, and what we do with fashion. And no matter how much you try to avoid the trends, they will always rear up and get you from behind. Here, KENTON’s editors give you our definitive edit of the Spring/Summer 2012 Trends in Womenswear!

1. Sorbet Shades (Alexander Liang, Editor-in-Chief)
Pastels are a classic spring color trend, but this year more than ever; it’s all about the sorbet shades. Just like the dessert, this trend is sweet. You can’t go wrong with coral and mint, but don’t forget about classics like lavender and robin egg blue either. Color block solids a la Phillip Lim and Diane Von Furstenberg for optimal spring style.

2. Olympic Chic (Mia Tucker Williams, Fashion Director)
“Olympic Chic” is the new look for all the cool girls this spring. Its all about mixing sporty elements in with your feminine pieces. The key to pulling off this trend is to look effortlessly stylish but in a thrown together kind of way (if that makes sense). You don’t want to look like you’re trying so hard. Leave a couple of buttons undone on your top, pair a slouchy pant with a dressy blouse, or throw on a sporty jacket over a short dress. If you aren’t quite ready to dive right in with this look, ease into it by accessorizing a form fitting cocktail dress with a leather baseball cap and a sexy pair of heels. Isabel Marant, Kenzo, and Rag & Bone were among a number of designers who introduced this trend for spring 2012.

3. Supergirl-y (Michael Cook, Style Editor)
There is something that pops up in the air in the spring. Maybe its the flowers. Maybe its the grass pushing its way out of the ground again. But whatever it is, its makes life instantly more fun. This years designers tuned into this fun and flirty vibe that the spring and summer bring with a wave of supergirly looks skipping down the runway. Light fabrics and colors (including that staple of any girly girl – pink) bring a simple girlyness to women’s wear. Flowers and splashes of print make for bold staments that scream fun and flirty times in the sun! Pair light dresses with fun hats and cute clutches to make any spring or summer day seamlessly lead you to whatever fun your day might bring you! Embrace being a girl this summer and have some fun!

4. Under the Sea (Quentin Washington, Fashion Editor)
Its no doubt that some skin must be shown while on the beach, but Summer 2012 trends dictate that you don’t have to go overboard with sexy to pull of a chic, sensual look. Bikinis have more modest cuts, and while colors and bold prints are taking over beachwear outside of the water, black and white are definitely the main palette for being under the sea. With looks by Michael Kors, Chanel, Lanvin, Stella McCartney, and BCBG, you have the perfect in-water and out-of-water looks to make the sand your very own catwalk.

5. Graphic Effect (Colin Dawidziuk, European Fashion Editor)
The transition from the minimalism of winter to the bright lights of spring is no easy feat, and this season, it was made even harder by power players in New York and London. For the minimal route, try out Alexander Wang’s Aztec-sportwear tops, or J.W. Anderson’s simple paisley pants to stand out with subtlety. If you feel a bit more daring, try DKNY’s poppy pants, or indeed Peter Pilotto’s geo-graphic pants in electric hues. And to really stand out from the crowd, why not throw on a full blown Mary Katrantzou floral suit? The key ingredient in this recipe for a successful graphic look, however, is to approach it with a minimal mind-set – less IS more for this OTT trend!