spring 2012

The platform versus the flat sole: which will take over next year?

 in General Fashion / Shoes / Trends  tagged fall 2012 / high heels / spring 2012 / summer 2012 / winter 2013 by

As designers send their fall collections down the runways for fall 2012, shoe fans everywhere are watching the sole of every pump and bootie that walks the catwalk. The flat sole is appearing to be dominating half of the runways, while the platform dominates the other half. Which one is it?

Platforms crept into style over the past five years, and just when forecasters thoughts the platform had run its’ course back in 2010, the style came back stronger, higher and more popular than before. The flat soled pumps which graced the fall 2009 and spring 2010 runways barely appeared on store shelves and women flocked to the highest platforms they could balance and shuffle down the street in.

The outcome for the fall 2010 runways? The platform dominated; and has been doing so ever since. What is it about the platform that is so alluring? Is it the added height? Perhaps platforms allow for a more artistic shoe? Is there a sense of strength from the added height off the ground? Perhaps. . .

It will be interesting to see what store buyers stock their shelves with this summer when fall 2012 begins to arrive at retailers worldwide. And when the flat soled pump is displayed prominently alongside a bigger than life platform pump, which one will the consumer reach for? Which one will you reach for?

y (24)

Chanel releases their spring 2012 runway nail polish: Attraction is here

 in Beauty / Nail Polish / Trends  tagged chanel / chanel nail polish / reviews / spring 2012 by

Chanel has released their spring 2012 runway nail polish color, “Attraction” to stores this month and with the pearly white shade, the iconic fashion house has also released three additional, late spring colors. The three additional colors, “Distraction,” “Frisson” and “Tentation” are shimmering colors which are also on-trend for the spring 2012 season.

“Attraction” is the long-awaited runway shade from the Chanel spring 2012 show during Paris Fashion Week last fall. The hue, which offers a pearly white color, needs three applications to not show streaks. This is the perfect warm weather neutral since it can be worn with all of the bright colors of the spring 2012 season. This is also an easy color to wear on toes since it will not clash with colorful sandals and open toe pumps; love that!

For those who enjoy a bit more color and are getting bored with April, May and June, the new late-spring shades are juicy and packed with sparkling color. “Distraction” is a fabulous bright pink with an orange undertone. This warm color applies perfectly in two coats and works well with all the orange, yellow and pink colors of the spring season. Love!

“Frisson” is the perfect pink for the Fashionista who has embraced the pastel color trend for the spring 2012 season. This light pink is sweet and candy-like; it too applies nicely in two coats.

“Tentation” is a dark pink with cherry red undertones which works well with shades of pink, red, purple, fuschia, blue and green this spring season. This is a great alternative to red for Fashionistas who enjoy a more classic nail polish, but are ready to break away from regular reds.

While the “IT” polish for late spring is Chanel’s “Attraction,” the other late-spring colors, and the early spring colors of “April,” “May” and “June” are all perfect and on-trend for the warm weather season. So many options=fabulous!

Bay Area Fashionista tip: We love “Attraction” on toes and wearing “Distraction,” “Frisson,” “Tentation,” “April,” “May” or June” on the fingers. Since spring 2012 is all about color, why miss out on the opportunity to show off your colorful side with your hands! “Distraction” is perfect for toes since toenails are so close to shoes, you never have to worry about clashing. 

Which color is your favorite?

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Pleated skirts take spring 2012 by storm

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged dresses / skirts / spring 2012 / summer 2012 by

The pleated skirt is one of the most popular types of skirts for the spring 2012 season. This flattering style was spotted on many spring runways last fall and has taken over store shelves, and streets, by storm. The pleated skirt has been spotted in three different hem lengths and offers a flattering, soft a-line silhouette which works well on almost any body type; no wonder it is so popular!

The three types of pleated skirts for spring are hitting mid-thigh, knee length and maxi style. Pleated skirts are being shown in all of the bright colors for spring as well as neutrals such as black, beige and white. They are an easy way to color block and can also go from day into evening with a quick change from satchel to clutch.

The pleated skirt has also been spotted as the bottom half of a dress this season. While most dresses with pleated skirts are shown in knee-length styles, the pleated skirt has also appeared on floor length dresses and short dresses. On a dress, the knee-length hem is the most flattering for most body types.

Pleated skirts can also be worn casually with flats, flat sandals or even flip flops as well as dressy with glittering high heeled sandals. The pleated skirt is so versatile and universally flattering; it would be a shame to skip this trend!

We assembled the three lengths of pleated skirts for spring in the Polyvore set below. Which length do you prefer?

y (23)