Spring 2011: Trends to watch

With the end of Spring 2011 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week comes the inevitable emergence of warm-weather trends. While it’s still too early to tell what styles the masses will take to, consider these seven strong, recurring looks that emerged from last week’s fashion spectacle.

Airy color palette
White, nude, blush and taupe, peppered with icy blues and smoky grays, were the standout stars of Spring ‘11, with nearly every designer  adopting the optimistic palette for both day and night looks.

Mismatched prints
Designers such as Rachel Comey and Milly’s Michelle Smith proved that, when done right, the blending of prints won’t result in an “I-forgot-to-look-in-the-mirror” moment. 

Simple silhouettes
Simplicity played an active role on runways, with designers abandoning hard-edged silhouettes in favor of clean, breezy lines. What a difference from recent catwalks, where Balmain-style shoulders and urban-warrior looks dominated.

Rust
We were intrigued when we saw the typically autumnal hue make more than a few appearances on Spring runways. From simple blazers paired with white flared pants to springtime shift dresses, we found ourselves rethinking the seasonality of the earthy shade. 

‘70s-inspired
It was that ‘70s show at Fashion Week, with designers such as Tracy Reese, Rebecca Taylor and Anna Sui using the decade as a springboard to create modern, sexy garments with floppy hats, ruffled dresses and spectator-style skirts.

High-waisted flares
High-waisted flares — mostly in denim — showed up repeatedly throughout Fashion Week, often paired with simple button-downs or tucked-in tanks evoking a casual, classic, almost retro vibe.

Sheer fabrics
Strategic use of floaty sheer fabrics was a top trend of ours, with designers embracing it to the fullest, a la J. Mendel, or playing it coy with subtle panels or overlays like Proenza Schouler, which offers sexiness sans vulgarity.

Silver beading
Silver embellishments — often against nude or blush fabrics — was a standout trend during Fashion Week, with Brit designerJenny Packham leading the pack. Packham sent a succession of drop-dead tulle, silk and chiffon evening gowns and, as pictured, the odd jumpsuit, all embellished to perfection.