Fall 2012 continues to focus on a slim-silhouette, all-American sportswear look. Some volume exists in the bevy of blazers with peplum detailing and in the soft, pleated, ankle-length skirts. But for the most part, trousers - albeit in bold colors - will remain skinny. Most dresses are sheath-shaped. The graphic-print blouses you will be buying this spring and summer will transition easily to winter with the help of a turtleneck or long-sleeved sheer mock T.
Shapes are so simple, they border on boring.
But like apps that transform our individual iPhones into something unique - technology, thanks to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, also is detracting from Fashion Week's celebrity status - there is some excitement in the handcrafted details and color combinations of otherwise predictable pieces.
Palettes range from edgy black splattered with reds to heavily saturated blocks of color.
Designers aren't hesitating to seamlessly layer accessories into their ensembles. Floppy fedoras, riding hats, and elbow-length gloves - leather and knit - are fresh.
And I suspect touches borrowed from evening wear will be the mark of well-dressed businesswomen as designers heavily interspersed sparkles, sheer fabric, and fur into daytime looks.
"We continue to see a lot of fusion in fashion," explained Nicole Fischelis, fashion director of Macy's. "There is a lot of combining different textures in clothing, and there is a strong emphasis on menswear."
Here are the major trends that will go from runway to retail this fall.
Bold prints. Vibrant florals and three-dimensional graphics will give prints a perennial personality this year.
