runway trends


Menswear for fall 2012

One of the big trends from the runways for fall 2012 is the menswear trend. This trend has also been well-received by consumers; making the menswear trend for fall 2012 popular on the street. The menswear trend is being spotted in every aspect of fashion for fall 2012. Shoes, handbags, accessories and apparel are all taking inspiration from classic men’s fashion and style.

Office apparel and weekend garments are taking their inspiration from menswear for the fall 2012 season. Blazers, trousers, belts, shoes and handbags have all taken a masculine turn for the cool weather season. Men’s smoking slippers have replaced the ballet flat as the comfort shoe of choice while loafer pumps have taken over the classic pumps reign as the ultimate shoe for the office.

Handbags for fall are being offered in many different styles and trends. One of the handbag trends for fall 2012 is taking inspiration from classic menswear. Totes and satchels are being shown in east/west silhouettes with enough room for files, folders and a small laptop. These work-horse satchels are hybrids between a classic men’s briefcase and a feminine work satchel.

Trousers are being shown in skinny, cropped and wider, straight-legged styles; offering a silhouette for every body type. Designers are creating solid colored trousers in classic hues such as black, brown and grey as well as classic autumn plaid.

The blazer is the hot jacket of choice for the fall 2012 season and it comes straight from menswear inspiration. Blazers are sleek and draped for fall 2012. Steer clear of 1980’s shoulder pads or overly heavy cuts. Blazers for fall 2012 are body conscious and sophisticated. The blazer can be worn to the office with trousers, as part of a suit or thrown over a dress or jeans as a hip alternative to a jacket.

Shoes for fall 2012 are also menswear inspired with loafer pumps, smoking slippers and stacked heel loafers dominating the shoe scene. Think a man’s shoe with a heel.

While the head-to-toe menswear look may not be for everyone, this trend can easily be integrated into any Fashionista’s wardrobe. It is easy to pair loafers with jeans for casual looks or find a flattering, sleek blazer to wear in lieu of a jacket. Whichever way you choose to rock the menswear trend, it is one which is easy to wear and is comfortable too. Love that! 

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Loafers and loafer pumps for fall 2012: the trend continues

Loafers and loafer pumps came back with a vengeance for fall 2011, and for fall 2012 they have shown no sign of slowing down. The menswear trend is huge this season, and loafers, as well as loafer pumps, make the perfect base for the menswear inspired looks this fall season.

Loafers for the fall 2012 season are being shown in more silhouettes than just the loafer pump; which was the loafer style that was huge for fall 2011. For fall 2012, loafers are being shown in flat styles; stacked 1” to 2” heels and also on a pump last. The heels are being shown in every width imaginable from stiletto to two or even three inches thick.

Loafers for fall 2012 are also being shown in color blocking with neutral hues as opposed to bright and vivid colors which were shown last season and last year. The neutral hues include ivory, beige, shades of brown, burgundy, oxblood, black and charcoal.

The loafer style is an easy shoe trend to wear. Loafers and loafer pumps look fabulous with any style of pants ranging from casual jeans on through to corporate gabardine trousers. Loafer pumps can easily be paired with pants, trousers, jeans, dresses and skirts making them perfect for day into not-too-dressy evening.

The fabrications being found on loafers and loafer pumps for fall 2012 include suede, smooth leather, faux leather and crackled leather. While the majority of the soles are platform, there are a few flat soled styles on store shelves and a handful of designers have created understated lug soles for their loafer styles.

We found a few easy to wear loafers around the web and assembled them into the Polyvore set below. Happy shopping and stay fabulous 

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Hats are the ultimate accessory for the fall 2012 season

Ever since the Royal wedding where Kate Middleton married Prince William in a romantic, fairy-tale event, Fashionistas everywhere have been obsessed with the fascinators and hats worn by the wedding guests. While fashion-savvy shoppers ran out and purchased every fascinator they could get their hands since the famous wedding, the fascination with fascinators has leveled off and traditional hats have taken center stage.

Designers finished off their looks on the runways for the fall 2012 season with hats. With the incoming menswear trend and a return to more structured, polished dressing, it is no wonder that the traditional accessory known as the “Hat” has returned to the forefront of fashion. The question is, will hats make it from the runway to the streets?

Hats have been popping up on the streets, even before the fall season has officially kicked off. Fashionistas have been spotted wearing men’s hats, floppy sun hats and the occasional fascinator is still being spotted on the head of the utterly fashionable.

While hats are currently being favored by the more daring, style-setter types, it should be interesting to see if more understated Fashionistas take to the trend and treat hats as just another accessory to finish off an ensemble. Or, will the hat become a fleeting trend left in the trunk of cars as women decide they are more annoying than chic? Only time will tell, as for right now, it’s hats on ladies 

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Photo courtesy of Pantone