pastels & neon & prints, oh my!

Neon

Just last year - I would've thought anyone crazy if they'd predicted neon was ever going to make a comeback, then again, I didn't ever think this trend can look so classy and sophisticated. S/S 2012 brings plenty of bright shades. Barbie pink, tangerine and yellow are the most popular, showing up on runways on blazers, dress and accessories. It's exciting, youthful and fresh.

 REBECCA MINKOFF- JIL SANDER - ALBERTA FERRETTI - RAG & BONE

To wear this trend, either wear one key piece in neon or single neon pieces (shirts or bottoms) with white. You can also achieve the same eye-popping affect by wearing a white lace dress with cute florescent accessories.

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Pastels

Pastels were the biggest shocker of SS 2012 - while the last couple of seasons have been all about edgy, raw and often androgynous dressing this season is a complete curve ball. While the loose fitting dresses and boyish trousers are still a hit, everything is done in more happy, shall we say, feminine, colours. Mint green is definitely the favourite (as predicted by Gaga last season) but bright yellows and pretty pinks are also making a huge comeback.

MARIOS SCHWAB - ALEXANDER McQUEEN - LOUIS VUITTON - CHANEL

To emulate this trend avoid black completely. Go for off-white basics and a key pastel piece, plenty of floral accessories and maybe a neon bag or shoe to off-set the soft girly colours. A signature outfit in this colour trend would be a lilac coloured dress with nude pumps, accessorize with kitschy floral jewelry and be bold with light makeup in matching bright colours.

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Global Prints

It's a given that prints will always be in style but each year we obsess over different styles of print. This year we saw many global prints, mostly inspired by African and South American culture. With a wave of new interest in the 1960s - 70s boho style we've seen many global styles hit the runway in the past couple of years: embroidered folk blouses, western fringe, kimonos and firey reds, Aztec prints. Though this trend seems to be dying down, African and South American influence is still clear on many runways  from Burberry to LAMB to Donna Karan.

ETRO - LAMB - BURBERRY - MARNI

To emulate this trend start with earthy basics: beige, brown, black, khaki. Build up with geometric accessories and maybe a cool fishtail braid. A signature outfit in this trend is a loose fitting dress with a wooden or craved bangle, add brass jewelry and wear minimal makeup.

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xoxo, til next time, Becca