‘Tis the time for lists isn’t it? And so here’s one packed with the most influential Spring 12 runway key items. Over the past several weeks I’ve been posting reports on Fashion Snoops, with a grand total of OVER 100 KEY ITEMS on the site right now (what are you waiting for?!). Here’s where I give my personal view on the movers and shakers that shaped the season.

#1 MOVE OVER MAXI, THESE ARE ASYMMETRIC TIMES!

Sure there are still maxis, and columns and midis. But the big news in hemlines this season is asymmetric hems, found upon dresses and skirts. Another alternative is the handkerchief hem.

#2 CROP THIS WAY

Cropped silhouettes aren’t exactly new.. but this time around they come with more variety to suite both the junior and contemporary market. Cropped tops, knits and sweaters are all present, with the most forward interpretation coming from midriff tops.

#3 BOXY LADY

I’ve mentioned boxy or pop over tops early on in the season. In knit or woven styles, boxy shapes provide one of the newest shape directions in tops.

#4 INNER AS OUTER

The junior market has favored bandeau tops as a layering component for the past few seasons. Bandeaus stick around for S12, while the day bra turns up everywhere – set to a number of 50s looks.

#5 PEPLUMS

Pencil skirts continue forward as a must-have for Spring 12. Peplums serve as the ultimate update to the pencil, while peplum tops are also fair game. And if you’re REALLY forward, check out the peplum pants at Dries Van Noten.

#6 FLIRTING WITH THE FIFTIES

As one of the season’s most popular theme expressions, Mid Century Modern aka the 50s, features key items like the fit n flare dress and full skirt. Hot pants, THE short of the season, are commonly factored in to ladylike looks, even if they’re borrowed from another decade.

#7 CUT IT OUT

Cutouts? Again? YES! As one of Spring 12′s leading details, a commercial yet new application comes in the form of shoulder cutouts on tops.

#8 SOMETHING SHEER

If this is starting to sound familiar, you may have followed my blogs during runway season in which NY, London, Milan and Paris all featured sheer garments. Two of the most relevant applications include sheer dresses and skirts, which were first featured in Givenchy’s Spring 11 collection. Fast forward one year, and sheer tops and pants are also considered.

#9 PUMP UP THE VOLUME

I first identified the wide leg pant as a trend for Spring 11, which moved forward for Fall 11/12 and remains important for Spring 12. Other volume silhouettes also take a cue from the wide leg including gaucho pants and culottes.

#10 WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS

Yes this is Spring/Summer but we can’t forget about outerwear options can we? I talked about parkas and ponchos in Fall 11 collections and here they are again as must-haves. Several styles speak to an underlying athletic reference, which makes for a nice interpretation of the Urban Sport theme.

22 Dec This entry was published on December 22, 2011 at 10:57 AM and is filed under Designers, Details, Dresses, Key Items, Runway. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.