Every year, something new or reinvented (read: trend or fad) pops up and takes the world by storm – so much so that it lands itself in the history books. We talk about it, like it or hate it, and mimic it right down to its littlest detail. 2011 is almost over but here are some things we know will stick with us right into 2012:
Keep calm and colour block
Why wear just one bold colour when you can wear two or three pieces of strong, solid colours?
Enter, the era of putting together loud and proud colour combinations for a dynamic and confident look. We’ve mentioned “colour blocking” earlier here and we haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
The trend allows for effortless mixing and matching of vibrant shades to create a whole new wardrobe altogether. Colour blocking was the hottest new trend of 2011, and the best part of the “bright idea” was that it was so versatile, you could apply it for any season. It stuck with us for the entire year!
Dare we say that it was the biggest message in the fashion industry? Yes. Our ears (and eyes) certainly didn’t pick up any other that was louder than this!
Gone minimal
While some fashionistas were busy playing with colour palettes, another exquisite trend was working its way into the limelight.
Uncomplicated, classic clean cuts provided an undeniable elegance to the spring summer season of 2011. And it paved the path on the runway for the eyes who adored keeping things “sweet and simple”.
But minimalism wasn’t all about neutral colours alone. The perspectives greatly varied from one designer to another and although the minimal white fashion trend was highly popular, some pieces carried “colour blocking” bold colours that were used intelligently without coming on as too strong.
The “minimal” trend also allowed for more possibilities when it came to accessorizing. Best of all worlds, much?
Set a-blaze
There was one trend that squeezed its way back into the fashion scene this year. It originally started out as a staple in menswear but for some reason, it made its way into our closets as well.
We’re not sure if we are to blame for it because, who doesn’t love the “boyfriend’s blazer”, right?
2011 brought the blazer’s sexy back in all shapes, colours, cuts, and sizes. It was (and still is) a “must have” fashion item of the year that can be easily paired with a dinner dress, a summery dress, a pair of shorts, skinny jeans, a teeny weeny mini-skirt, a cute top, a work shirt, the possibilities are endless.
And when the occasion calls for it, the blazer is easily transformable with a statement necklace or a scarf for some of that color or sparkle. We love!
Mad printed matter
An explosion of old school and new school patterns burst into the fashion industry during the spring summer season of 2011.
The return of prints and patterns was greeted with a loud, resounding applause (and perhaps a demand for an encore) this year when it took the stage.
Everything from floral, to stripes, to geometric, and even to animal print was a permanent fixture on runways. High street printed matter got the world scrambling because almost anyone could very well carry off the designer-y looks. For sweet, floral. For bold, stripes or geometric. For daring, animal print. And if one was confident enough, mix print-on-print.
From runway to street, style lovers rocked mad printed matter. Hey, we say, if it spoke to them, why not? Leave the rest of the world wondering (and craving)!
Phew. This year’s fashion trends really got us shopping. And we’re merely a few more sleeps to the new year. We already can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2012!
