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    Runway to Reality

    Spring to it: Four feminine and flirty trends guaranteed to liven up yourwardrobe

    Merritt Beck
    Jan 17, 2012 | 8:30 am
    • Flirty Florals in the Erdem and Peter Som Spring/Summer 2012 Collections
      Photo by Merritt Beck
    • Derek Lam and Tory Burch embracing dropped waists and modest silhouettes with20's-inspired Spring/Summer collections
      Photo by Merritt Beck
    • Pastel Palettes on the runways of 3.1 Phillip Lim and Preen
      Photo by Merritt Beck
    • Thigh-high slits as portrayed by Tadashi Shoji and Yigal Azrouel
      Photo by Merritt Beck

    Every season, the fashion world shoves an excessive amount of "it" looks in our faces. So many in fact, I sometimes feel it necessary to go through the numerous trends with a fine-toothed comb to narrow them down even further. This spring and summer are no different.

    From menswear-inspired sportswear, bold prints, vivid neons and more, there are literally dozens of "trends" you can choose from to navigate your way through spring and summer.

    To make things a little easier, here are my favorite (and probably the most wearable) looks from the runways. I'm heading to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week next month, so I'll be back soon with my suggestions for fall!

    Flirty Florals

    It's no secret we're seeing a return to femininity in fashion, and really, what's more feminine and elegant than a plush floral pattern? Everyone from Erdem to Jason Wu flaunted flirty florals in their spring/summer 2012 runway shows, but luckily you can also get the look for less. With lines like J.Crew and ASOS taking on this lively and colorful print, you can pick some pieces that will surely fit in your budget.

    Everyone from Erdem to Jason Wu flaunted flirty florals in their spring/summer 2012 runway shows, but luckily you can also get the look for less.

    For flower power at the office, try this J.Crew a-line skirt or this ASOS floral pantsuit. For date night, don a flirty dress like this Zimmerman wrap dress or this open-back Thayer frock. If you are into a brighter color-scheme, this Just Cavalli top or these electric blue Matthew Williamson shorts should fit the bill.

    As far as accessories, petal-covered purses are where it's at. This ravishing red floral hobo by Yves Saint Laurent es muy caliente for spring. For a more subdued hue, check out Nina Ricci's floral-print envelope clutch. Too cute.

    Roaring Twenties

    Dropped waists and flapper flair is back and flashier than ever. Derek Lam, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs and Alberta Ferretti have all offered these sensual silhouettes with heavy beading, sequins and sheer cutouts for an added bang for your buck at your upcoming spring events.

    As Ms. Ferretti mentioned in my interview with her, The Great Gatsby was a major influence and theme in her spring/summer collection, in tandem with the movie being re-released this year, and it seems as if many other designers were in a similar mindset.

    For a timely and timeless look, invest in a sheath like this one by Marc Jacobs. If you're looking for a more casual and youthful look, grab this jumpsuit from Ferretti's contemporary line, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti.

    If you feel like killing two birds (three actually) with one stone, get this pastel-hued floral Marc Jacobs dress with a dropped waist. Three hot trends in one dress? Yes, please.

    Pastel Palette

    Onto the color portion of this column, sherbet shades are on the short list for a pretty and painted season. As a palette, pastels tend to fall in a more youthful category, which has its pros and cons. The benefit of pastels is that they can add a bit of a playful punch to your grown-up wardrobe, but too much of will leave you looking like rainbow sherbert from Baskin Robbins (my favorite flavor, btw).

    The benefit of pastels is that they can add a bit of a playful punch to your grown-up wardrobe, but too much of it will leave you looking like rainbow sherbert from Baskin Robbins.

    The key is to find a balance by selecting a few subtle pieces to wear with white and other neutral hues. Just like with brights and neons, not everyone can handle the soft look of sorbet hues. If you're not really into color, there are ways to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe without it taking over an ensemble.

    For those a little bashful of the brights, incorporate pastels with a pair of summery wedges or even in your makeup choices. Pick a coral lipstick, a mint nail shade or a subtle lilac eyeshadow to make those baby blues pop.

    Phillip Lim and Preen both provided a number of pieces in creamy pinks, tangerines, yellows, mints and lilacs which I'm excited to see once they hit the store racks! I'm especially fond of this minty fresh Equipment blouse - it would look stellar tucked into pair of clean white shorts and espadrilles!

    Sky-High Slits

    A personal favorite trend of mine is the look of a thigh-high slit on a maxi dress or skirt this spring. Whether you prefer a sporty color block or would rather go with some flower power, designers have come up with options for both with a sexy little addition.

    It's a tasteful way to show some skin without giving away the whole farm, and I'm a much bigger advocate of showing some leg than some cleavage. If you like the look but are wondering how to wear it in a modest fashion, check out designer Yigal Azrouel's tips from my interview with him here.

    I recently purchased this angelic Yigal Azrouel side-slit maxi in white and let me tell you... It is nothing short of awesome. It is definitely my new go-to piece when I need to feel inspired or just want to get all dolled up. Click here to see how I combined this sexy, modern skirt with some retro basics for a classic, old-school glamour look.

    Beck is the editor of fashion and personal style blog, The Style Scribe.

    unspecified
    news/fashion

    HOTTEST HEADLINES OF 2025

    Celeb's Texas-sized ring dazzles in our top 10 fashion stories of 2025

    Gabi De la Rosa
    Dec 24, 2025 | 2:00 pm
    Zac Brown and Kendra Scott engagement
    Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott
    Kendra Scott's million dollar engagement ring crafted by a Houston jeweler tops Houston's most-read fashion articles of 2025.

    Editor’s note: Houston’s shopping and style scene delivered plenty to talk about this year, with headline-making jewels, must-have accessories, major retail moves, and Texas-sized collaborations. Readers couldn’t get enough of a million-dollar pink diamond crafted by a Houston jeweler for Zac Brown and Kendra Scott, the Labubu frenzy, and the arrival of luxury brands in River Oaks District. New flagships from beloved Texas brands, summer shopping guides, and the return of the Nutcracker Market, along with news of a Macy’s local closure also topped the year's must-read articles. Here's a look back at the stories that captured the Bayou City's love of luxury, hometown pride, and constantly changing retail landscape.

    1. Houston jeweler supplies star Zac Brown with a Texas-sized diamond ring. Country superstar Zac Brown popped the question to billionaire jewelry mogul Kendra Scott with a one-of-a-kind creation from Houston jeweler Valobra Master Jewelers. The jaw-dropping 3.06 carat fancy pink diamond (GIA certified, VVS2 clarity) was set in platinum gold and surrounded by 28 baguette-cut white diamonds totaling 3.17 carats. The jeweler wouldn't comment on the price, but it would surely retail for over $1 million.

    2. Loveable Labubu: Where to find the must-have fashion accessory in Houston. Love them or hate them, these tiny monsters broke the internet with the April release of Big Into Energy Labubu. Lucky Houstonians who were able to buy one online flocked to area stores in Sugar Land and The Woodlands for their pick-up-only purchases.

    3. 2 luxury jewelers unveil flagship boutiques in River Oaks District. With VIP salons, ornate decor, and luxury jewelry, two French jewelry houses made an entrance in River Oaks District this summer. Joining the neighborhood's luxury lineup, shoppers can now buy their baubles from Cartier and Van Cleef.

    4. Colorful Texas handbag maker opens new flagship store in Katy. Popular handbag brand Consuela opened its first Houston-area store at La Centerra in Cinco Ranch, Katy. Shoppers can now get their hands on the bold, colorful printed bags and accessories without a long drive or an online checkout.

    5. Macy's to shutter dozens of stores nationwide, including 1 in Houston. As part of a strategy to make Macy's profitable again, the store shuttered six Texas stores, including a longtime location at Almeda Mall. Five DFW stores also went dark, and by early 2026, the retailer will have closed 150 "unproductive" locations nationwide.

    6. Where to shop right now: 12 Houston shops with fresh summer finds. Amid back-to-school shopping and the August 8 sales tax holiday, Houstonians were especially interested in where to find the best deals at local retailers, including Chloe Dao, Mejuri, Reformation, Abejas Boutique, and more.

    7. Houston bootmaker offers $5,000 cowboy boot and gator hunt adventure. For $5,000, Houstonians can now source an alligator hide near Anahuac that will be transformed into a pair of bespoke cowboy boots by Republic Boot Company.

    8. What to know about the return of Houston's Nutcracker Market for 2025. The Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market is one of the most highly anticipated shopping events of the year. This year's market welcomed 40 new vendors and over 100,000 shoppers, with ticket sales exceeding $24 million. Over $6 million went directly to support Houston Ballet, its academy, and scholarship programs.

    9. Texas brand Lucchese launches UT Longhorns collection with boots and more. Storied Texas bootmaker Lucchese released a collaboration with the University of Texas featuring two men's styles and three women's styles. The lineup pairs white and cream colored leather with burnt orange accents as a nod to Longhorn pride.

    10. Whataburger partners with Texas activewear brand for new capsule collection. Whataburger tapped Austin-based activewear brand Burlebo for a capsule collection just in time for Father's Day. The line included caps, infant onesies, and shirts available in three different patterns.

    kendra scott engagementriver oaks districtlabubuwhataburger clothesnutcracker market 2025zac brown engagement ringmost popular stories
    news/fashion

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