Top Ten Trends for Spring 2012

I had difficulty paring the list of trends down to a mere ten this spring, as there are so many trends, but here are my top picks for the season.

1. Bold Floral Prints

These are not shrinking violate prints, but are big, bold florals on sheaths, tops, and pants, and even head to toe for quite a statement.

2. Little White Dress

As seen on the Red Carpet at this year's Oscars, white was the color for some of the most winning gowns. So give black a rest and embrace white for a fresh spring look.

3. Structured colored handbag or clutch

A color in a structured handbag or clutch can add just the right amount of punctuation to an outfit.

4. Sandals with Wedge Heels

The wedge heel gives stability, height, and chic to a summer sandal.

5. Pleated skirt

Accordion and knife pleated skirts soften the silhouette and add volume without bulk for a feminine appeal.

6. Peplum

The flare of the peplum, if proportioned correctly, gives the appearance of a wasp waist, with a retro nod to a 1950's style. But it can also give an architectural look of modernity if kept minimal.

7. Patterned and colored pants

The colored jean is a carryover from last spring, and this season we see the ubiquity of patterned jeans as well as pants.

8. Something in Tangerine

Tangerine or orange is the color of the season, and if you are shy about doing it head to toe, look for an accent of color in a detail or a pattern, or go bright with an accessory. Yellows and the full spectrum of blues are other choices. Brights seek a natural complement in navy and other neutrals.

9. Global Prints

Earthtones, batik prints, geometrics and patterns display an ethnic edge in many of the global prints this season.

10. Dangly earrings

Big, dangly earrings are staging a comeback this season. Embellished with diamonds, crystals, beads, horns, chains and tassels, these are bold, look-at-me pieces.

As with any season, you need not embrace all the trends, but I hope you enjoy incorporating a few into your wardrobe and have some fun with fashion.

Oscar Gowns on the Red Carpet 2012

I always love the Academy Awards for the gowns, the glamour, and of course, the Oscars. While George Clooney failed to win an Oscar, there were some winning looks on the Red Carpet, many of them on trend for spring 2012.

White was the color of choice for some of the best looks on the Red Carpet.

Gwyneth won best dressed with her simple column of white by Tom Ford that was asymmetric at the neckline, topped by a starkly simple cape. She looked magnificent and statuesque.

Mila Jovovich dazzled in a heavily sequined white gown, one shoulder a bit padded for a touch of old 40’s Hollywood glamour, with perfect hair and red lips.

Rooney Mara, eschewing her trademark black, did something unexpected and wore all white in a gown by Givenchy. Far from innocent, the look was quite avant-garde, with her heavy bangs and red lips and no jewelry. I was not fond of the flaps over the bustline, but I do give her credit for taking a fashion risk.

Octavia Spencer shone in a silvery white beaded gown by Tadashi Shoji, cinched in at the waist and beautifully draped to flatter her curves.

Shailene Woodley was in Valentino Couture, and though she claimed that it expressed her true style, the dress seemed a bit too old for a 20 year old.

Cameron Diaz was elegant and feminine in a creamy blush Gucci strapless gown that burst into gilded ruffles with a dramatic train.

On the other side of the color spectrum, Michelle Williams glowed in her burnt orange strapless Louis Vuitton gown with a peplum waist. Both the peplum and the color orange are two trends for Spring.

Viola Davis wasn’t afraid of color either, in a brilliant emerald green by Vera Wang. I wish her bodice could have fit her a bit better but applaud her decision to let her hair go natural and to leave the wigs at home.

Penelope Cruz was a vision of beauty in her gorgeous smoky lavender gown, softly off the shoulder, by Armani Privee.

Gold was another favorite color on the Red Carpet. Meryl Streep was in a gold Lanvin drapey dress with bejeweled belt. She looked more glamorous than usual but somehow does not quite get it right. I love Meryl and as long as she continues to put in Oscar worthy performances, we can forgive her red carpet misses.

Stacy Keibler was George Clooney’s arm candy, and she wore a gold Marchesa gown that made her look like an Oscar. Though I loved the gown, I thought the huge bow on her hip was a bit too large.

Rose Byrne followed one of the big trends for beaded gowns but instead of black, chose a deep midnight blue from Vivienne Westwood, with Westwood's signature asymmetry of neckline and hem and a daringly sexy open back.

Tina Fey also chose a midnight blue Carolina Herrera strapless dress, with a dramatic peplum for a look that was simple but elegant.

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace was one of the few in black , but her thinness and posing detracted from the beauty of the dress.

Jessica Chastain combined both black and gold, anticipating a big trend for Fall 2012, in a baroque, embroidered Alexander McQueen. She claimed she wanted something dramatic and noteworthy. Check, accomplished.

This year, the Red Carpet showcased gowns that were elegant and refined, as best exemplified by Gwyneth Paltrow. White will be a big trend for spring, as will brights like orange, yellow, and green. Blush and pale pastels will also be seen for spring. Look out for peplums too. I welcome your comments. Tell me which gowns you loved or gave the thumbs down.