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Move over Grunge-Girl, Feminine Allure is Making a Comeback!

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Layla Jones
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Jaimee Swift
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Temple chapter.

2011 was the year of polka dots, maxi skirts and dresses, 90s grunge and modern simplicity. Girls were encouraged to take fashion risks such as wearing chunky sweaters with lacy skirts and combat boots or a jazzed up (or not-so-jazzed-up) plain, white crew neck with simple wide-legged slacks for night on the town.

 
It may not seem like it, but we are quickly approaching spring and fashion has once again evolved with the new year. And with this evolution comes ten wearable trends that every collegiette can pull off in one way or another.

 

After looking through some of the top fashion magazines and websites, here are my picks for the top 10 trends to expect in the Spring of 2012.
 
1. The Return of the Roaring 20s:With this trend, think “The Great Gatsby.” Harper’s Bazaar references layered flapper-style dresses for this spring trend. Lush silks and sequined “casual” wear accompanied this trend on the runway of New York Fashion Week. High neckline, flowing ankle-length dresses in peach, gold, cream and white flooded the catwalk and the models looked to be straight from Gatsby’s garden parties.
 
2. Precious Pastels:A continuing trend of femininity brings us to the continuing craze of pastels. Whether it is light green knickers or a peach satin blouse, this trend can very easily transcend from the runway to the closets of collegiettes everywhere.

 

3. Pretty in Peplum:Get in touch with your inner 19th century Elizabethan with this eye-catching trend. Peplums are protruding flaps of fabric attached to the sides of a garment. They are modern (recall Disney’s “Zenon”) yet also a blast from the past (as they were often worn by Old English women in the 1800s). Peplum skirts and dresses are pieces that have transitioned from Fall/Winter 2011 to Spring 2012. Collegiettes should not be afraid to don a peplum skirt for a day trip to the harbor or a night on the town with the girls.

 

4. Do It Like a Dude!:While the menswear trend was portrayed through darker, heavier fabrics, blazers, bowties and letterman jackets in the Fall, Spring 2012 adds its own twist! Menswear this season means pink suits…yes, pink suits! The pink shorts suit was a specific look that was recreated by numerous designers at NYFW. Worn with a neutral or pastel blouse, decorative socks, and deck shoes, the shorts suit is a fresh, fun trend that I think will modify itself and stick around for a long time.
 
5. Flower Power:Fearless floral prints were ripping through the runway via pant suits, dresses, blouses, and pretty much any other item of clothing you can think of. Whether it is an entire suit covered in full floral arrangements or a scarf printed with large blossoms, this trend is one that anyone can wear.

 

6. Bigger and Bolder:Similar to the fearless fits of floral prints, this bold trend really made itself known on the runway. If this trend could talk, it’d say, “overdoing it is the new black!” Be daring in your attempts at this trend. Don’t be afraid to wear a boldly printed top with matching pants. If you feel a need to tone it down, do so by channeling a color within the print, and pairing the ensemble with a solid-tone cardigan.
 
7. Building with Color Blocks:First appearing in the Fall and Winter of 2011, color blocking is a trend that has saturated the minds of designers and is not going anywhere! Similar to its first appearance last season, color blocking is often with bright colors. In light of this season, though, don’t be surprised to see pastel color blocked dresses, blouses, and skirts. They’re a colorful addition to any wardrobe without being over the top.
 
8. Heavy Metal:A stark contrast to some of the previously mentioned trends, metallic-finished fabric is a surprising look that adds some variety to this season’s styles. An example of this trend is Diesel’s bronze pleather shorts. Pair these with a pastel blouse and you’re ready for a trendy night on the town.
 
9. Safari in the Motherland:Take an intrepid excursion everyday by donning pieces like khaki jackets with matching pants. Colors such as khaki, brown, burnt orange, and army green highlight this look. Great for daytime, this trend can be worn almost anywhere for a safari-like essence no matter where you are.
 
10. A Tribe Called Fresh:Fun and flirty, this trend often appears in the form of a graphic tee or a cropped top. However, in the spirit of this season’s boldness, try something like a tribal-print shorts suit or tribal-printed pants paired with a safari-style blazer.
 
Sourcing: glamour.com, harpersbazaar.com, elle.com, emersonfashionsociety.com

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Jaimee Swift is a Senior majoring in Communications. One of her many dreams is to become a broadcast journalist and to meet and work with the infamous Anderson Cooper. Her hobbies include reading everything in sight, running, dancing crazily, laughing uber hard, watching movies, and consuming as much juice as possible. Jaimee is so overjoyed to be a part of such a magnificent site such as Her Campus Temple University. Ever since the days of her youth, she has strives to make a difference and bring positive change to all that she touches. She still holds on to that mindset and hopes to bring positivity and creativity to Her Campus Temple University!