Mini Cheat Sheet: How To Pull Off Polka Dots Perfectly
Okay, let's all agree on one thing: prints are a must for spring. Now, that we're all in accordance (that was easy), let's continue. We've spotted the return of an irresistible classic all over Miami—the polka dot. Yes, they're back and adding a simple, feminine pattern to wardrobes from South Beach to Wynwood. If you haven't worn anything with spots since you were in grade school, we think you should lead the way for your friends. And, even if you're already a polka fanatic, we think you'll find our mini-roundup of five dotted pieces is, well, spot-on.
10 Eye-Popping Brights To Shake Up Your Winter Wardrobe
Hey, you, in the head-to-toe neutrals for the third day in a row: You're in a style rut, huh? We get it — it's cold outside and standard-issue basics are essential for layering. Besides, all of your cute getups are concealed by a heavy coat, anyway. Well, we're here to stage an intervention: Your winter wardrobe doesn't have to be the most boring thing ever. In fact, it can be awesome — and you don't even have to do anything drastic to get from here to there! All you need is a shot in the arm (or the armoire, as it were) of some truly bracing color. We did the hard work for you — we found an array of wear-with-everything staples in eye-popping shades that you can mix into your current closet. Seriously, just one of these babies will liven things up in a major way. There now — doesn't that feel better?
Video: H&M Spring Trends Include Baby Colors, Silk Trousers
Sometimes a picture tells a thousand words, and a video, a million. Like H&M's spring trends video, which not only showcases a couple of H&M's fresh spring '12 looks, but also features an inside glimpse into the Swedish mega-brand's warmer-weather staples. To showcase the picks, H&M's head designer Ann-Sofie Johansson sends washed-out separates down the runway, explaining the silhouettes of the season. Words like "tailored," "neon," and "girlish" are thrown around a lot, evoking a kind of "Brights? In spring? Groundbreaking" reaction, but despite the familiarity, we're not complaining. Fash-geeks won't be shocked at predictions of a sporty spring, but we dig that H&M caught on to the neon colorblocking vibe that has currently been an obsession. And that white blazer at the 18 second mark? Never going out of style.
Photo/Video: Courtesy of H&M.
Photo/Video: Courtesy of H&M.
The Unexpected It Bags You'll Worship In 2012
Though some thought they heard the death knells of the It Bag last year, we think they were mistaken. It's true that flashy pieces like the Balenciaga Motorcycle bag, the Hermès Birkin, and the Louis Vuitton Speedy might have fallen out of favor for being… well, too flashy, but that doesn't mean you can't find a bag that will still feel special in that subtle way you crave. 2012 is chock-full of options that are practical and beautiful, and range from impulse-buy prices to higher-end pieces worth setting aside a chunk of your paycheck. Here are our picks for the most likely contenders for 2012's It Bags!
12 Shoe Splurges So Hot, You Won't Mind Pinching Pennies To Get 'Em
Call us clichéd, but we just don't believe there's such a thing as too many shoes — bring on the peep-toes, the platforms, the flatforms, and the booties…and all at once! Maybe it's the fact that our tootsies have been swaddled since November, but lately, our brains have been insistently conjuring memories of prancing in strappy sandals and espadrilles. To remedy the sitch, we've rounded up some of the most insanely cool and covetable pairs to splurge on this spring — some of them require a little more saving than others, but they're all pretty darn fine. Now, if you'll excuse us, we need to book a pedicure.
Trend Alert! Prepare For The New Punk
Somewhere between The Bowery of 1979 and the rockabilly rev-up that we've already predicted for the upcoming year lies the new age of punk.
We're happy to welcome a femme take on the rough-around-the-edges look. In case you're not yet intrigued by the sartorial oxymoron, prepare to pile on bright pops of color, floaty dresses, and polka dots...as well as spikes, studs, and ripped jeans. It's Joan Jett meets the jitterbug and Debbie Harry with a little Harajuku. And it's exactly what we've been looking for to shake up our wardrobe in 2012. Take a look at Refinery29's very own spin on the new punk look — with a handpicked roundup of the pieces you'll need to mix — and get ready to recreate the style for yourself.
We're happy to welcome a femme take on the rough-around-the-edges look. In case you're not yet intrigued by the sartorial oxymoron, prepare to pile on bright pops of color, floaty dresses, and polka dots...as well as spikes, studs, and ripped jeans. It's Joan Jett meets the jitterbug and Debbie Harry with a little Harajuku. And it's exactly what we've been looking for to shake up our wardrobe in 2012. Take a look at Refinery29's very own spin on the new punk look — with a handpicked roundup of the pieces you'll need to mix — and get ready to recreate the style for yourself.
Our Predictions For What's Gonna Be Huge In 2012
In the past few years, we've placed bets on nail art, maxi skirts, sheer shirts, ombre hair, whimsical prints, cat-eye glasses, clogs, pajama dressing, and thick braids… and voilà! Those things all had their major moments. For 2012, we're going to gaze into that crystal ball once more and make our predictions for what the upcoming year holds. Looking back, 2011 was a volatile year for fashion, and we think that 2012 will be even more dynamic, with more risks, more throwbacks, and more unconventional silhouettes to shake up the status quo. And if you find any of these trends strange, just remember — most of you thought nail art was tacky the first time we reported on it. Just sayin'.
Runway, The Real Way: 7 Spring Trends To Love, And How To Wear Them
We know, we know — it's freezing out, and it seems a little crazy to be daydreaming about spring clothes. Just the thought of exposing our poor, pasty legs to a pretty wisp of a dress seems unfair, but that's not stopping us — fantasy-shopping the spring runways is one of our favorite winter pastimes. And judging by what we saw at Fashion Week, we'll have a lot to lust after when these pieces start hitting the shelves. To prep you for the warmer days ahead (and they are ahead, even if it doesn't feel like it, right now), we scoured the spring collections to find the most essential, must-try trends — seven, to be exact — and combined each one with first-rate advice on how to wear it. Click through to see our spring primer, and pick up some styling tips to put you ahead of the trend game.
2012 Color Trends — The Five To Know Now
These past two seasons (spring and pre-fall '12) have churned out some trends that are both futuristic and nostalgic at the same time. While it's not entirely a Jetsons rerun, the collections did somehow meld together ultramodern silhouettes with stylistic touchstones from years past, in a way that felt exciting yet comfortable. And that brings us to the much-awaited color trends of 2012! From hues that are decidedly retro to bold trends that are wholly new, here are the five sets of shades that we're really looking forward to trying out in the new year.
Fashion Week's Prettiest Color Trends For Spring
Pull out your rose—and orange and blue—colored glasses... it's time to break down the color trends for spring and single out the hues that are sure to dominate our personal palettes in 2012. For next season, think cheery cotton candy, serene seafoam green, and a sultry new neutral that's not your ho-hum camel. Check out the ten new color trends you'll want to get a piece of once spring makes its triumphant return... if you can wait, that is.
Greatest Hits: Top Trends From London
London is known as the rogue city amongst the Big Four Fashion Weeks, and that's why we love it. From up-and-coming designers crushing it on the runway to established designers unafraid to push the envelope, the trends, memorable moments, and stand-out looks to come out of London Fashion Week are always some of our favorites. We've flipped through the shows, and are glad to present the five trends we can't wait to adopt from across the pond.
Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo
Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo
Hottest Trends Of The Moment: We've Got 10!
The spring '12 shows were, in a word, comfortable. The trends might not have been groundbreaking, and the looks might not have been revolutionary, but—oh, boy—did we want it all. The runways read like a synopsis of Refinery29's greatest hits: preppy staples, tomboyish sensibilities, vintage inspirations, and loads of colors and prints… If you didn't have the opportunity to sit front row at all the shows, it's no sweat. We've hashed out the top 10 trends from spring '12 NYFW that we're going to start experimenting with, stat!
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