By Satkrit K.
2011 was one fascinating fashion year that went by. New looks, trends and ideas — some remodeled and restyled from an era gone by and some futuristic trends which make us wonder what's in store for 2012.
It's always a combination of a look or idea from the past molded with a futuristic concept which defines fashion today. So here's what's in store for the new year…
The Noir 1920s
If it's bold prints and print statements that hogged the first forecast, the general flow and fit is predominantly very 1920s' Noir (remember those ladies in the Charlie Chaplin flicks?). Tending towards the flapper in its femininity though with styling that offers up a far darker and more mysterious edge, elements of film noir and its origins are one possible interpretation of the 2012s' 1920s fashion revival. The last attempt at revival of the flapper dress was in 2008-09 and this season promises a new variant to the same.
Hairstyle
Here's the long and short of it:
The French Twist: Given the revival of the French country look in 2012, it's quite natural that the hair and allied segmentation follows the same. The French twist is expected to be coming back into mainstream everyday hairstyling in 2012.
The Beehive: It's a bountiful, half up bouffant hairstyle, that is in tune more with the formal and semi-formal dressing. This is also otherwise known as the "Brigitte Bardot hairstyle."
The Kitten Heel
First up, the Kitten heels are that genre of heels that occupy the space between flat shoes and sex-bomb high heels. They're a small slender heel of 5cm (2 inches) or less. It's slightly different from a stiletto. The heel usually curves inwards from the back of the heel, giving the shoes a bit more stability than a stiletto. Kitten heels are like the ugly step-sister of the heel family; they don't lengthen the legs nor define the calf. Separate them from the lady like elegance of the 1950s and 1960s and all you're left with is a stunted and somewhat unattractive piece of footwear. And yet, it was a major trend of 2011 and is expected to continue into 2012.
The French Countryside
Another sub-feature that was very prominent in most designer collections was the simpleton approach to fashion; one that was more folk-ish and minimal in its own way; and softer and sexier than a mod look.
Anything made out of lace/Crochet, especially structured heavier lace pieces.
Peter-pan collars. Ultra-short hemlines — "Long legs short hems." Low-slung belts.
Monochrome instead of color: plenty of white, cream, black.
Effortless sexiness with unfussy hair and winged-out eyeliner.
The return of the 60s
If it was the return of the 1970s in 2011, it seems that the reinvention of the trends of the 1960s is likely to be the flavor of the season in 2012. To be more specific, it's all about the nature of prints and bold colors that were featured in the Spring Ready-To-Wear shows across the fashion capitals of the world. The opposite of the androgynous mod - the sex kitten, is another 1960s era cliché that seems to have come back into play. Softer and sexier than a mod look; a folk-ish 1960s' look is free spirited with a Parisian twist.
Highlights
Cuts that draw in the waist, accentuating the bust and hips. It's all about the curves.
Full circle skirts or slim pencil skirts, or cropped pants with high waists.
