Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Fashion Trends

The new season brings classic pieces with a modern twist, a '60s and '70s flair, chic menswear-inspired elements, playful polka dots, refined fabrics, lace, denim, fur, but also dazzling brights. Take a peek at the fall/winter 2011-2012 hottest trends, draw your inspiration and prep your wardrobe for the season ahead.

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With chilly days just around the corner, we are all eager to find out what we should add on our lust list for the colder months. However, there are a few fall/winter 2011-2012 trends to keep in mind when making your wardrobe for the upcoming season. From retro and classic pieces to edgy prints and bold colors, let your imagination run free and have fun with your styling.

Retro

Fall/winter 2011-2012 fashion trends mean a strong comeback of the '60s and '70s style. Try the '60s vibe this season with rounded collars, high necklines, coats with sloping shoulders and bracelet sleeves. Precious fabrics such as brocade and accessories made in felt are key pieces that will complete your retro looks. Draw your inspiration from Burberry Prorsum, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jil Sander, Yves Saint Laurent, Celine and Valentino. You can also step back into the '70s and take a peek at Jill Stuart or House of Holland for a quick boost of creativity.

Bottega Veneta

Burberry Prorsum

Yves Saint Laurent

Prada

Jill Stuart

House of Holland

Masculine

Oversized, double-breasted blazers and avanguardiste coats with a cool androgynous allure represent strong, masculine-inspired pieces for fall/winter 2011-2012. Dare and you’ll see that even the dullest suit will instantly become a style statement. Take some fashion notes from Sportmax, Jil Sander, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Limi Feu, DKNY, Yigal Azrouel, Gucci, and Moschino.

Lace

Lace is definitely one of this season's most romantic trends. For fall 2011, lace comes in a myriad of different versions, from simple and soft to printed and colorful (Julien MacDonald, Blumarine, Marc Jacobs, Dolce&Gabbana, Kenzo, Jonathan Saunders, Valentino, Giles Deacon). Used mostly for gowns and blouses, lace oozes sensuality and femininity. For the season ahead, the darker shades are dominating the runways.

Denim

As we have already seen, all-time classics are back this season. And there's nothing quite so smart and purposeful that denim, an old faithful that never ceases to surprise us with its constant reworkings. This season's denim is all about the utilitarian approach and amazing versatility. Designers prove once again the lasting power of this fabric coming with smart, functional designs (Isabel Marant, G-Star, Dsquared2).

YIGAL AZROUËL

Tommy Hilfiger

Dolce & Gabbana

Valentino

Isabel Marant

G-Star

Red

The catwalks were an explosion of beautiful red hues, a gorgeous palette that varies from ruby to burgundy and berries. All-red outfits exude maximum femininity especially when used for elegant evening gowns or midi skirts. Red was also seen on cozy knits or masculine-inspired classic coats (Elie Saab, Rodarte, Laura Biagiotti, Lanvin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giambattista Valli, Costume National, Akris, Talbot Runhof, Yohji Yamamoto).

Cobalt blue

Fashion has unexpectedly fallen in love with cobalt blue. Even though it is a shade mainly preferred for warmer summer days, fall's cobalt blue looks awesomely cute and sexy. This vibrant, refined, can’t-miss shade perfectly completes urban outfits and clean, masculine lines. Seen at Gareth Pugh, BCBG by Max Azria, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Zac Posen, Jean-Charles Castelbajac, Isaac Mizrahi, Diane von Furstenberg, and Versace, cobalt blue will make you look way more fashion-forward.

Black and white

Martin Grant, Haider Ackermann, Narciso Rodriguez, and Celine are some of the designers with the black-white combination in mind. However, they weren't the only ones. From Giambattista Valli and Issey Miyake to Rick Owens and Balenciaga, black and white outfits flawlessly integrate into the modern design through their bewitching minimalist flair.

Akris

Diane von Furstenberg

Gareth Pugh

Versace

Celine

Martin Grant

Plaids

Plaid will never go out of style and fall runways are a great example in this sense. The famous print has been a staple for coats and dresses forever. Ashish, Carven, Tory Burch, Band of Outsiders, L.A.M.B, Missoni, and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac reworked this trend proving that plaid can seriously be a flattering affair. From head-to-toe tartan looks to jackets and dresses, there are numerous stylish ways to wear plaids.

Polka dots

Be prepared to have some fun this fall and get all dotty! Skirts, dresses, pants or blouses, you can try the head-to-toe look or just add one polka-dotted item to your outfit. Make dots a statement by daring fancy, wow-worthy combinations. Find it hard to pull this trend off? Take a spotty patterned accessory and wear it to a simple outfit. We saw the trend at Stella McCartney, David Koma, Paul Smith, Diane von Furstenberg, House of Holland, and Marc Jacobs.

Bright pants

Whoever said that bright colors are just for summer hadn't seen the fall/winter 2011-2012 catwalks. Bright pants made an appearance and are anything but a simple piece this season. Pair them with neutrals such as seen at Karen Walker and 3.1 Phillip Lim, and vertiginous high-heeled boots.

Tory Burch

Band of Outsiders

David Koma

Paul Smith

Karen Walker

3.1 Phillip Lim

Fur

Far from being practical, this season's fur is the perfect synonym of luxury and opulence. Oversized coats and maxi dresses, hats and gloves, extravagance knows no bounds for fall 2011. In a season of refined, precious fabrics and romantic embroideries, furry pieces add a little edge to your outfits. The trend was spotted at Alexander McQueen, Celine, Prada, Loewe, Ann Demeulemeester, Oscar de la Renta, Naeem Khan, Valentino, and Giles Deacon.

Leather

One trend that has gone under the fashion radar for a couple of seasons is the basic leather. For fall/winter 2011-2012 expect an on-trend edit of ultramodern and innovative designs and a wide color palette (Louis Vuitton, Chloe, Hermes, Giles Deacon, Valentino, Loewe, Michael Kors, Gucci). Leather dresses, turquoise coats, orange jackets and black overalls are pieces that take leather to a whole new dimension, beyond the well-known punk-rock approach.

Knits

Well, we must admit that there's no winter without knits. This season's knitted sweaters look cute and oh-so-chic worn with maxi, floor-skimming skirts. Besides, they guarantee maximum coziness and fanciness for the time the crisper weather arrives. Therefore, as colder months approach, invest in one versatile sweater that will upgrade your winter wardrobe.