[L-R: Lace cut-outs on Olivia Wilde, lace+leather on Kristen Bell and all-over lace on Diane Kruger]

Cool Lace Accents:

Lace happens to be one of my favorite textures, especially when pairing with leathers and silks.  Designers everywhere are adding lace accents (with Olivia Wilde’s Stella McCartney dress, above) and overlays (Diane Kruger in Erdem lace overlay) to all shapes and cuts on a variety of fabrics. 

Secret Stylist Tip: A cooler, more modern lace paired with leather toughens up a look giving off a chic edge rather than a girly, cutesy feel. Try the look in a single piece like Kristen Bell’s Valentino leather&lace dress.

[photo credit: ZIMBIO.com]

[Hemlines at Emilio Pucci]

High/Low Hem Lines:
Hemlines this season are teasingly flirty by offering the viewer just enough without giving too much away.  Dresses, tops and shirts have been constructed shorter in the front and longer in the back giving off a sexy but sophisticated look.  Emilio Pucci has mastered this trend for spring.

[photo credit: STYLE.com]

[Pops of color at Sass & Bide and Nanette Lepore (center)]

Neon Accents:

Color is a must this season and neon is no exception!  Flashes of electric pinks, oranges, greens and blues have been seen on gowns, dresses, tops, jeans, belts and even shoes.  Elizabeth and James Textile sets off the high voltage color-blocking trend in January with super saturated jeans and shorts.

Secret Stylist Tip: If you think your neon outfit might be an 80’s inspired overkill, start off smaller scale by incorporating a neon accent into your wardrobe with a scarf or belt offering just a flash of color to keep you on top of this trend. Try the TRENDS page on IFoundASecret.com for more selections.

[photo credit: STYLE.com]

[L-R: Sporty accents at Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, VPL]

Don’t Sweat It:

High fashion sportswear including piping, netting and nylon is an easy and flattering way to look your best. 

Secret Stylist Tip: Layer netted separates over solid pieces.  Neoprene dresses and pants giving a sleek, sexy look are very popular and great for those women who might feel slightly body conscious.  Isabella Marant is a designer favorite of mine for this trend.

[photo credit: STYLE.com]

[From sporty to flowy, L-R: Victoria Beckham, Michael Kors, Banana Republic]

Tangerine:

Shades of orange are this season’s popular color.  Dresses, skirts, tops and accessories in orange and tangerine shades dominated the runway and can easily be named the number one color for this season.

Secret Stylist Tip: Pair this bright hue with the perfect outfit accompaniment using the color wheel.

[photo credit: STYLE.com]

[Quiet to Bold, L-R: Celine, Givenchy, Jason Wu]

Peplum:

Peplum, also known as the flirty ruffle stemming from the waist, is a female favorite.  Designers at every price point have integrated this waist-cinching ruffle into this season’s clothes with dresses, tops, skirts and jackets.  We can definitely expect to see this trend carried into Fall 2012.

Secret Stylist Tip:  A flirty ruffle can hide any feeling of a “belly” quite nicely.  If you’re feeling bloated and you have an important event to attend, pick up this trend and you will feel great about yourself.

[photo  credit: STYLE.com]

A Hint of the 50’s:

Feminine dressing from the 1950’s is making its way back into the fashion scene including: dresses, pencil skirts, nipped waist jackets, structured handbags and round-toe stilettos.  Pastel colors including light pink, mint, orange and green have been seen in an array of textures including silks, lace and denim. 

Secret Stylist Tip: To draw an edge to this 50’s look, pair a white t-shirt with a feminine 50’s inspired bottom with a nipped waist jacket.

[photo credit: STYLE.com]

[Flapper dresses at Gucci (L) and Roberto Cavalli (R), and cloche hats at Ralph Lauren (C)]

The Roaring 20’s:

I have seen a ton of trends from the 1920’s this season including cloche hats, silk loungewear and the “flapper” dress with a drop-waist.

Secret Stylist Tip:  To get the stunning 20’s look, stick to floral drop waist dresses by day and glamorous, modern line symmetry that’s elegant and embellished by night.

[photo credit: STYLE.com]

[L-R: Tribal at Donna Karan, mixed prints paired with neutrals at Tommy Hilfiger and bold florals on Florence Welch]

African tribal prints, animal skin patterns and bold graphic designs are a designer favorite this season.  I’ve even seen some mixing and matching between animal prints and tribal patterns, which can get dangerous if not worn correctly.

Secret Stylist Tip: Keep shape lines clean by using the trend as an accent. Adding a texture such as beads, wood bangles or a fun embellishment adds a great vibe to this look.  Another way to keep this trend toned down is by pairing a print with a solid neutral shoe, bag and/or belt. See more prints at IFoundASecret.com.

[photo credit: STYLE.com]

[L-R: Versatile leather pieces at Yigal Azrouël, Proenza Schouler, Helmut Lang]

Leather is one of my fashion favorites!  Designers have been mastering the craft of incorporating leather into thin, stretchy fabrics in colors we dream about for summer.  Some of my standouts for this season include: red leather jeans by AIKO, chocolate colored drawstring leather shorts by Vince and Helmut Lang crocodile embossed leggings, to name a few. 

Secret Stylist Tip: Pair leather with thin silks (as shown in Yigal  Azrouël, above).  A sleeveless, fluid silk top with a leather bottom, or a leather t-shirt with a silk short or pant makes for a great, effortlessly stylish look.

Similar looks can be found in our SHOP: Elizabeth & James leather pants (ON SALE!) and Current/Elliott leather ankle jean.

[photo credit: STYLE.com]

Mixing blocks of color in an outfit can be seen all over the runways and can easily be applied to your every day look. It’s a fun, easy trend and is achieved by mixing up to 2-3 colors in your combination.


[Sophie Theallet via Style.com]


[Tommy Hilfiger via Style.com]

Many people are afraid to try because they’re not sure what colors look best together. Here’s a secret stylist tip: using the color wheel below, make a triangle with 3 perfect sides within the circle to get colors that look amazing together. Another way to play it safe is to pair it with black and white, the color combination the stands the test of time.