We all can’t shop at Neiman Marcus (NM) for the latest fashion trends. However, the high-end retailer holds a lot of influence on what will be the hot ticket items for each season. Now everyone will know what to look for this spring thanks to NM fashion director, Ken Downing’s, list of Spring 2012 trends. This season nine hot fashion trends made his list featuring two bold colors, a resurgence of a few spring 2011 trends and a fashion staple. These trends will be present in the NM Spring collections that will be in all 42 stores and NeimanMarcus.com beginning February.
Ken’s Hot Colors of Spring
Two colors made the list as trends the store will highlight for spring — pink and yellow. Ken says to “Think Pink” for spring 2012 with all shades of the blushing hue being in style for fashion, accessories and beauty. Ken has pegged yellow as the “new neutral”. While I am not sold on the sunny shade as being neutral, I do share Ken’s vision of it being an accent color this spring.
My Picks: M Missoni One-Shoulder Colorblock Dress and Chloe Colorblock Platform Sandal
Sporty Chic is In
Sports influences, specifically aquatic sports, are the trend Ken picks for spring. This falls in line with the color picks of the season. When I think of sporty colors for spring I see a lot of hot pinks and yellows colorblocked with black. So the pink, yellow and sporty trends do tie into one another rather seamlessly.
My Picks: Michael Kors Wetsuit Dress and Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Contrast-Trim Jumpsuit
Prints Galore
Prints are always in season. However, this spring, even Ken Downing couldn’t ignore the abundance of prints to hit the runways. Animal and floral prints with sprinkles of polka dots and striped thrown in for good measure dominated apparel and accessories.
My Picks: Roberto Cavalli Floral-Print Short Caftan and Manolo Blahnik Bejeweled Satin d’Orsay
Tribal Influences and Statement Earrings are Back
Last summer, tribal influences were a huge trend especially in accessories. This spring, tribal has returned as one of Ken’s hot picks for springs. You can’t have a bold trend like tribal without bold earrings to go along with it. Fall’s statement jewelry trend has returned with a focus on earrings — Love It! — to add dramatic flair to spring’s hottest looks.
My Picks: Escada Abstract Bamboo-Print Dress and Aurelie Bidermann Enameled Swan-Feather Earrings
Miss Fancy Pants
The term Ken used for spring’s pants trend — Fancy Pants — makes me giggle a bit. However, to come up with a short term to describe the replacement for the skirt trend that reigned in fashion for over a decade is rather hard. In a nutshell, these spring pants are not your ordinary straight-legged, plain weave or knitted pants. Think standard trousers in bright red, watercolor harem pants and floral wide-leg pants. These pants are quite fanciful in their boldness and make a fun trend for spring.
My Picks: Roberto Cavalli Boot-Cut Mauve Jeans and Alice + Olivia Floral-Print Wide-Leg Pants
Silver Shoes and Elegant Clutches
I am a bit skeptical of Ken’s silver shoe pick this spring. While as a metal, silver can be casual. As a color, especially metallic hues, silver tends to be more on the dressy side. As “spring’s great equalizer for day and night”, I am not sold. The saving grace for that style declaration may be that the silver trend can also be a silver-like finish over other colors. Ken’s pick of clutches as the handbag trend is no surprise. Clutches never go out of style because most women have a few events that they will attend over the spring and summer making clutches a fashion staple.
My Picks: Salvatore Ferragamao Brigitte Gancini Pump and Prada Daino Pouch Wristlet
What do you think of the hot trends Neiman Marcus has for spring 2012? The individual items I selected as My Picks for each trend are a guide for finding similar items at your favorite stores. To see what Ken Downing picked as the must have pieces for spring 2012, check out Ken’s Picks on Neiman Marcus’ website. Happy Shopping!
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