Fashion Trends: Spring/Summer 2012

Well, it's about that time again.

The spring/summer fashion shows have long past, but whilst we are all shivering and wishing for the warm weather (well at least here up North) for now we shall warm our hearts with the upcoming fashion "trends" for the can't-you-come-any-sooner seasons. Unfortunately the weather has just begun here (I adore winter, don't get me wrong, I just like it from indoors and not teetering like a circus performer on a tightrope on the ice hoping not to have another whiplash haha), so it's going to be a while until we can enjoy wearing the next season's fashion but it's never too early to peruse right (mind you, I have now stopped shopping for winter..and have now started to focus on spring clothing, hehe)?

Now, with spring and summer come the most common trends that are repetitive each and every year it seems. Florals for the spring? A must! Pastels? Check! Pajama dressing? Of course! White? Most definitely! Athletic wear? Indeed!! Graphic prints?!! Mhmmmmmmm!!!

Of course, there are only so many *new* trends that can be birthed for the upcoming seasons, but I thought it to be quite unnecessary to mention the obvious choices in trends and focus on the "trends" (or not even trends, just things I have been seeing a lot of) I have really been LOVEing! So here they are..the "trends" I am so excited about...Enjoy :)

1. CHEVRON
- That infamous "zig-zag" pattern seen on just about everything - pillows, dresses, tops, lampshades, even walls - it's such a simple, but very classic print and I absolutely adore it! I definitely am lemming a chevron printed tunic dress for this spring/summer..and most definitely a pillow or two for my room!

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2. TASSELS
- I have been seeing a creep of tassels these past couple of months, and think they are going to be here for a while. I, of course, do not mind one bit as I think they are such a cute detail and they add a lot of flair to any simple and basic outfit. I've seen them more-so as accessories - tassel earrings, a tassel necklace, a tassel bracelet, tassels on a bag, tassels on shoes - but I definitely think a tassel dress would ROCK!! As for interior decorating, seen a lot of tassels too..in November, I made myself a tassel garland out of mylar and tissue paper (see picture below for reference) for my room..it still needs to be hung up (note to self: must do that soon or else you never will lol) but once it is, it's going to be FAB-U-LOUS!! :)

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3. BURSTS OF PASTEL

4. ANIMAL PRINT

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5. PEPLUM
- Talk about Dior's "New Look" of 1947, late 1940s/1950s revival :)

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6. METALLIC TOUCHES

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7. FUSCHIA

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8. PREPPY/BOATER
- ie. boat shoes, gingham, plaid, chinos..ahhh, I can feel the sun beaming on me and my hair gently tousled by the wind whilst cruising on the hood of a boat by the lake..eheh, a girl can dream right? These past couple of months, I have acquired this new obsession with all things "boaty" (haha, totally not a word). I never thought I would even want a plaid, collared in my closet..and now I have two and want more. I own a pair of Sperry's and want another pair (this one has leopard print on it so there's no reason for debate here, haha). I am dying for a gingham button up (hmm, am I willing to spend 80$ on one from jcrew?), I definitely think I'll be adding coloured chinos to my spring wishlist, and whilst we're talking about wish lists..how about a boater boyfriend to match? Haha, well like I said...a girl can dream right? ;)

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9. "COLOUR BLOCKING"
- Yep, so we saw the birth of now named "color blocking" last year (I mean, we've always done it..just never had an official name for it hehe) and it definitely is going to be back for another year, oh yes!! I do have some "colour" in my closet, but a lot of it is muted (as in subdued versions of colours..ie. burnt orange, rust red) and I hardly own any bright colours. That is one of my main fashion goals of spring/summer 2012: Add more BRIGHT colours to my wardrobe. I am trying to divert myself away from the neutrals and towards the brightest colours I can find haha. I recently bought a dress from Zara (it was on sale for $30(!!!!!) - you really can't get much better than that) and it was...a bright blue colour (Adventurous, adventurous right?!!! *holds for applause* lol)! I must say I am equally excited and nervous to wear it..I just need to gather up the courage (oh and hem it, since it's a bit long for my liking) and then I shall wear it out. And that's a promise, to myself hehe. :)

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10. TANGERINE
- Seems to be the "IT" colour of the season, I've been seeing quite a bit of tangerine on the runways, fashion magazines, clothing stores, and just about everything else related to this wonderful realm of the fashion world. I loved the colour orange from last year's season, and it only seemed to transgress and intensify for this spring/summer. If you're too afraid to go full out wearing a tangerine coloured tunic, you can definitely incorporate tangerine in small dosages of comfort. I love pops of colour in outfits, and I definitely think anything tangerine would bring great and new life to any simple and basic outfit (tangerine coloured belt, tangerine coloured watch, tangerine coloured nails..ohh the possibilities are endless). I took a sneak peek at Essie's upcoming Spring/Summer collection and I did see a tangerine polish in the collection...thus that being said, Mr. Tangerine-coloured-Essie-Spring-2012-polish, you shall be mine. ;)

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11. POLKA DOTS
- Just about the cutest print ever hehe, I have been seeing polka dots everywhere in stores at the moment. I definitely think they add such a quirky element to any outfit, and I am currently lemming a polka dotted button down. Don't be afraid of this somewhat referential of clowns print lol, in small dosages you shall be fine. If you are still nervous to try out the print, wear a blouse with small polka dots..and as you get more comfortable, you can graduate to massive, in your face polka dots on your sweater AND pants (haha, JK!).

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12. ASSYMETRICAL
- I absolutely adore the eloquence of the assymetric hemline. It adds such a feminine, soft, and fluttery element to an outfit..and who doesn't want to look as such? Whether a flirty assymetric hemline on a skirt or blouse, it really does add a unique and unexpected element to one's outfit. Plus this now gives you reason to wear that maxi skirt that you tried to hem but failed miserably by not hemming it super straightly...(haha, and that's more of a note to myself :p).

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13. ANKLE DETAILS
- Whilst I was on vacation in the Caribbean with the fam, I was swept away by the tropics and the beauty of the islands and gorgeous weather. I felt like an island girl and all I wanted to do was wear flowy dresses and dance around on the beaches barefoot. I bought 3 ankle bracelets during my trip because it felt perfect to add to the theme, and wore them every day I was on vacation. But on the last day, when I had to wear pants and BOOTS again..I suddenly heard a major thud and cackle from reality. No, Vanessa, you do not live in a tropical area..you live in Canada, where you are now going back to, and it's going to be -30 C with the windchill, so put those ankle bracelets away..you definitely will not be needing them where you're going to - that's what reality told me :( However, I am still dreaming of the warmer weather to come where I can once again wear my ankle bracelets..but until then, I shall resort to watching my cruise vlogs every day reminiscing of the amazing memories. <3

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Much Love,