Spring ’12 Fashion Trends for Men and Women

It may still be winter, but the only way to motivate customers to buy is to stock the latest in spring trends. We take a look at the trends that popped in the spring runway collections:

Men’s

Bold-colored pants are trending for spring.

Bold accents, to primary hues:
Last year was all about bold and colorful accents in men’s apparel, this year, however, bold colors have become the main event. Look for vibrantly colored and patternless pants, jackets, and tops in greens, mustards, and oranges.

Boxier, loose fitting suits:
The slim-fitting suit or blazer is far from being yesterday’s news, but some designers are bringing back a looser and even boxier fitting suit. Think of it as an update on a sleeker version of the suit you wore when you were 12-years old.

Double-breasted blazers, revisited:
While the double-breasted blazer made its comeback some time ago, look for even more of them in 2012, except this time with the proportions of a jacket.

White revisited:
In what seems to be a trend towards revamping the old standards, white is the new black. Look for t-shirts in bone, off-white, and off-off-white. Also look for bleached patterns on white t-shirts.

Wider pants: the end of skinny?
Skinny trousers, or rather, the pant bridging the gap between skinny and straight, have been a mainstay of the last several seasons. This year look for the opposite extreme with wider trousers, in both suits and pants.

Women’s

Sportswear:
Sporting goods and activewear have have merged with more feminine garments this year, using zippers and mesh fabric. Look for the athletic styling in perforated, form-fitting skirts and dresses, as well in jackets and other accessories. Also look for playful interpretations of hooded sweatshirts, that when zipped halfway down convert into a dress.

“Pretty princess”:
Waist-to-floor princess skirts seem to be embracing any innocence lost in 2011, showing in pink, baby blue, and ruby red silk taffetas. Look to pair the skirts with a range of tops from lace, to spandex tube tops.

Faded pastels:
In what may be a response to the trend in the strikingly colorful shades of spring, designers are now opting for the more subtle and softer shades of the season. Look for baby pink, blue, and yellow pastels on silk and cotton.

Floral patterns:
If you’re looking for the more traditional stylings of springs past, you can find it this year in head-to-toe floral patterns. Vibrant floral prints are being adorned on everything from slim fitting suits and pants, to tailored blazers and shorter-than-average shorts.

Peplum structure:
If a structured fit is your thing, a peplum is the perfect add-on to your blouse, skirt, or jacket. Many of the peplum overskirts are being cinched and printed on lace, and hung low on the hips.