Hyper CultureColour, Clash and Culture.

Prints have made a big impact on the fashion industry in 2012 and are becoming a ubiquitous trend. Whether it be in the form of floral shirts, Aztec skirts or the tribal trouser, they appear to be dominating high-street and designers alike and all possess cultural influences from areas such as China, the middle east, and Africa. Set to continue into Autumn/Winter, hyper culture is now introducing further prints such as polka dots, stripes, monochrome, tie-dye and shell patterns. It appears that the more complex and crazy the better and people are teaming up clashing trends to get that extra ‘wow’ factor. Think Jessie J and Nicki Minaj when working this trend. Simple to dress down with colourful tees and flats for the day or easily dressed up at night with court shoes and a clutch, the print speaks for itself and gives the user an individual identity. Perhaps aimed at a younger consumer (I would definitely forbid my Mother to wear anything of this sort), this trend is rich in art and creativity and fun to play around with.

Radical Neutrality Calm down please. Perhaps quite controversial to the loud and proud trends of 2011, radical neutrality is the focus on softer, calmer and more neutral shades, which I for one am praising! Sure, bright, happy colours are great for summer but sometimes they can be a little too much when you see bright pink trousers clashed with canary yellow tops!Pastels are proving much more popular in 2012 and are available in every high-street store at the moment. Also set to continue through to Autumn/Winter 2012, radical neutraility is set to be a great transitional colour palette before those dull blacks and greys that reflect the dreary English weather make an appearance again. Colours are muted and faded, barely even there, but this will make a bold statement in itself and the main appeal of this trend is its ‘throw on’ attitude. Again, colour blocking and clashing is poignant with this trend but in a more subtle style. Pale pinks, soft lavenders, light greens and sky blues are the most poignant colour palettes and can all be combined together for muted chic.You can still make a statement while being slightly more understated.

Autumn/Winter 2012 Trend ForecastColourful, Cultural and Clashing or Nice and Neutral

Which one are you…?

Mismatching these prints is set to make the hardest impact and high-energy colours such as yellow and orange are popular with this trend, which also work well for an Autumnal palette. If you are feeling slightly less daring however, which would be understandable, then they can be teamed simply with a basic white shirt which is a necessity in any wardrobe now. The best part about this trend is that it can revolutionize old season pieces that you have stashed to the back of your closet. Favourites include the popular androgynous pencil skirts, cigarette pants and straight leg trousers that were popular in 2011.Vintage shops are also particularly good for digging out some unique pieces so you don’t have to pull the purse strings too far and splash out on a new crazy clashing wardrobe. This trend also insists on conflicting materials. Silks, embellishments, coloured fur and lace are all particularly poignant even if just in small panels. A daring trend but the season is all about making a statement.

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