It makes sense that a fashion-loving, shopping-addicted gal like me looks forward to updating her wardrobe for a new year and season. But chances are that the everyday working woman with a love life, friends, obligations and maybe even a child or two finds this particular shopportunity overwhelming. However, I have some good news. It actually takes very little to update your look for 2012. You probably already own some of the pieces you need. So having said that… here are my top three favorite fashion trends for 2012: Color Blocking, Digital Prints and Fancy Pants.
1. Color Blocking – O… M… G…. The fashion design gods have smiled upon us and created a trend that is super-duper easy and affordable! Surely you have solid-colored tops, skirts and pants in your closet, right Simply put them together to create a color block outfit. Wear your favorite solid fuchsia top with your new electric blue skinny jeans (which applies to another one of my favorite trends – Fancy Pants), then pair with a solid-colored shoe. Add a solid-colored clutch for pizazz.
Another way to sport this trend is with color block shoes. For a budget-friendly option, check out the current color block shoes from singer, fashion designer and “Fashion Star” mentor Jessica Simpson. Her shoes are always on-trend and reasonably priced.
2. Digital Prints – Okay, I apologize in advance for selecting this trend as a favorite, because you WILL have to do some shopping. We’re not just talking about a regular print that you may already find in your closet or even in a thrift store. This is a look that is completely brand new. A digital print seriously looks like a beautiful photograph that was created by a fashion designing guru and printed onto the entire outfit. This look goes way beyond your typical graphic T-shirt. Think billboard-sized Photoshop fashion. It’s futuristic, very visual and completely stunning. Buy it in small doses and look for affordable options from H&M and Forever21.
3. Fancy Pants – You’ll find that most stylists separate trendsetting pants into two categories: printed pants and colored denim. But me, I like to group them all together and call them Fancy Pants. 2012 is definitely the year of the pant.
Here’s what you do: pick a Saturday to shop for pants. Try on all colors and prints and commit to owning at least two solid-colored jeans (which you can wear for color blocking) and two printed pants this year. For those of you who aren’t a fan of denim (if you’re larger than a size 6, you know what I mean), then select a pair of solid-colored skinny pants that are cut like a pair of jeans. My colored pants are from I.N.C. International Concepts at Macy’s. They’re cut like skinny jeans, but are designed for all-day comfort.
For more fashion inspiration, check out “Fashion Star” on NBC, where you can get more tips from Elle Macpherson and fashion designers Nicole Richie and John Varvatos. Series premiere date is Tuesday, March 13 at 9:30 pm Eastern and Pacific/8:30 pm Central. Check your local listings.
