Floral: One of S/S 2012's Most Prevalent
Top to Bottom, L to R: Mid Rise Floral Capri Jeans, J Brand, Piperlime, $200; Printed Silk Chiffon Maxi Skirt, Giambattista Valli, Net-a-porter, $3,175; Floral Popover Shirt, Hive & Honey, Piperlime, $54; Colorblock Floral Print Satin Dress, Mary Katrantzou, Net-a-porter, $1,050; Kimchi Blue, Mellow Yellow Dress, Urban Outfitters, $129; PS1 PRinted Canvas Leather Clutch. Proenza Schouler, Net-a-porter, $925; Flower Dress, Something Else, Shopbop, $106; Floral Print Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress, Etoile by Isabel Marant, Net-a-porter, $780; Printed Trousers W/Contrasting Waist, Zara, $80; Garden Party Dress, Ark & Co., Piperlime, $59; Dreamer Floral Cotton Voile Sundress, Zimmerman, Shopbop, $280; Short Gathered Skirt, Girl. by Band of Outsiders, Shopbop, $207 on SALE
This influx of floral has got me hoppin' ready for spring (despite the fact that I happily haven't had to wait), and the bright colors and innovative designs keep me highly intrigued. You don't have to be a fashion fanatic to realize that floral is nothing new. It's been around for centuries upon centuries. Moreover, it hasn't always been the most flattering or exciting of prints: think mopey housecoats, blah color palettes, and goopy/childish styles. But S/S 2012's fabulous frontrunner is none of these things. It's bold and passionate, tailored and varied. I love the way some designers have incorporated color-blocking, while others have gone the toile-esque route, while still others have stuck with a slightly retro (think 90s babydoll dresses) floral on black. I LOVE Mary Katrantzou's flowers-in-an-opiate-induced-dream kind of look, and Girl. by Band of Outsiders (one of my favorite designers) gathered mini skirt is a definite spring must-have (oh yes, it will be mine).
Stripes: That classic, preppy kind of fun
Top to Bottom, L to R: St. Tropez Dress, LA Made, Piperlime, $99; Crochet Shoulder Bag, M Missoni, Shopbop, $495; Meteorita 140 Metallic Leather Sandals, Christina Louboutin, Neiman Marcus, $1,795; Tulip Convertible Maxi Skirt, Dee & Ray, Piperlime, $59; Maren Striped Blouse (blue/red), DKNY Shopbop, $195; Meredith (!) Striped Canvas Wedge Sandals, Charlotte Olympia, Nordstrom, $945; Flavin Striped Stretch Cottom Mini Dress, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Saks, $300; Striped Diamond Tote (shown in pink, also in red and blue), Rebecca Minkoff, Shopbop, $195; Striped Cotton-Silk Dress, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Net-a-porter, $295; Collarless Signature Blouse, Equipment, Shopbop, $248; Classics Striped Flats, Charles Phillip, Shopbop, $135
Although no self-professed prep by any means, I do love me a good stripe. This season, designers like Marc Jacobs, Rebecca Minkoff, Sonia Rykiel, Michael Kors, and Malene Birger have seriously taken to this classic print. To innovate, I've seen a number of them go the risky route: odd color juxtapositions, color-blocking, even stripe mixing. My favorite has to be the Charlotte Olympia Meredith wedge, and not just because of its name. It's nautical, sexy and bold.
Polka Dots: Whimsical and feminine
Top to Bottom, L to R: Polka Dot Silk-Chiffon Gown, Alberta Ferretti, Net-a-porter, $2,695; Dotty Snake Lil Ukita Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Saks, $298; Stiletto Jeans (also in orange), Current/Elliott, Piperlime, $218; Kabuki Polka Dot Crepe de Chine Pumps, Net-a-porter, $875; Dotted Collar Blouse, Trinity, Piperlime, $64; Polka Dot Romber, state & lake, Shopbop, $220; Beatrice Dress, What Goes Around Comes Around, Shopbop, $286; Judy Polka Dot Long Skirt, Madewell, madewell.com, $118; Hot Dot Ruffled Silk Dress, Net-a-porter, $330; Polka Dot Cotton-Voile Scarf, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Net-a-porter, $100; Sleeveless Waist Dot Print Dress, Erin Fetherston, Neiman Marcus, $345
In all honesty, I have never been the biggest advocate of the polka dot. It often feels contrived, overdone, and frankly, a little silly. However as I have conducted extensive research over the past couple of days, I have found a number of pieces that are anything but. Rather, they are fun and flirty, perfect for a variety of occasions. There's something for everyone here. I'm especially digging Marc Jacob's take on the slightly Minnie Mouse-esque look: the Hot Dot dress. Sweet yet still sexy, and I love the idea of it paired with some superhot fluorescent heels!!
Animal: Super sexy and full of energy
Top to Bottom, L to R: Fringed Leather Skirt, Gucci, Net-a-porter, $2,750; Printed Cotton-Blend Sateen Dress (leopard), Tibi, Saks, $345; Maryley Clutch, House of Harlow 1960, Piperlime, $198; Cheetah iPhone Case, Rebecca Minkoff, Shopbop, $38; Originals Easy Reader in Zebra, Timex, Piperlime, $60; Zebra Print Blazer, Zara, $90; Studly-L in Leopard, Steve Madden, Nordstrom, $100; Zebra Sequined Jersey Dress, Michael by Michael Kors, Net-a-porter, $175; Faye Zebra Print Calf Hair Sandals, Jimmy Choo, Neiman Marcus, $1,795; Kalinda Sandal, Pour la Victoire, Piperlime, $245; Snake-Print Stone Necklace, Kenneth Jay Lane, Shopbop, $242; Embroidered Peasant Cover-Up, Mara Hoffman, Shopbop, $330; Bambola Snak Pumps, B Brian Atwood, Saks, $300
Ah, the animal print. Snake, zebra, cheetah, leopard; they come in a range of styles and, ahem, taste levels. As many are aware, some are a little too Jersey Shore: sequins, too-short skirts, thigh-high boots, want me to keep going??? However these jewels (seen above) are so not. They are enticing and sexy, just screaming for you to put 'em on and do something wild. I love Nicole Richie's take on the newly resurfaced minaudiere, and the crown on top is the perfect icing to the cake. Try it dressed down: skinny leathers, bright pumps, a great jacket....
Happy Shopping!
M
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