Teens Style

Bright color blocking is a fashion trend for spring 2012. It’s been featured by such diverse design labels as Victoria Beckham, Proenza Schouler, Peter Som, Ruffian, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and Max Azria in his BCBG spring line.

Though wearing bright colors can be a mood-lifting fashion experience, the placement of blocks of color can be problematical, especially for short women. The direction, location, and hues of the color blocks on a garment all play into the mix, so it’s a case of the sum of the parts and whether or not they make up a garment that’s both aesthetically pleasing and flattering.

Women who have a trendy fashion personality and wish to wear clothing with bright color blocking should make sure that color-blocked garments are flattering on them. Otherwise, it’s probably a good idea to avoid this trend altogether.

Bright color block fashion for spring 2012 from left to right: top from Peter Som, dress from Tommy Hilfiger, dress from BCBGMAXAZRIA
Photo Credit: all images, Peter Michael Dills/Getty Image

Orange, tangerine, tangelo—all these citrus fruit colors, as well as the darker burnt orange—are being served up for spring 2012 by fashion designers, such as Michael Kors who featured orange as a strong color choice for spring in the Michael Kors spring 2012 runway fashion show. Other designers who favor orange hues for spring and summer 2012 include Max Azria in his BCBG line, Jill Stuart, Charlotte Ronson, Doo-Ri, Christian Siriano, and the iconic Paris house of Hermes.

I tend to think of orange as more of a fall color, and it’s not one of my favorites because I look awful in orange as do many other women. If it’s a flattering color, wear it and enjoy. If orange doesn’t suit you, either skip it, or don’t wear it close to your face. I sometimes wear a floral orange skirt for spring, but I pair it with a white top. Another option would be to carry an orange handbag. A pop of bright color is on trend this spring, and it can add some fashion interest to an ensemble of neutral colors.

Michael Kors featured orange prominently in his 2012 Spring Fashion Show, which took place in September 2011 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Pretty pastel fashion will be on trend for spring 2012 with several designers showing looks for spring and summer in these pale hues. In addition to Ralph Lauren, who happens to be one of the few top American designers who offers a petites’ line of clothing, other influential designers also featured pastel fashion for spring 2012, including Calvin Klein, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger and others.

To wear this look in a modern fashion, combine different colors in pastel separates as shown in the photos above from the Ralph Lauren spring runway fashion show. Look for colors such as pale yellow, blush pink, icy blue, or light lavender.

The upside for the spring/summer 2012 pastel trend is that it’s both pretty and appropriate for the season, perhaps a bit reminiscent of the colors of Easter eggs. The downside for petites is that light colors tend to visually add bulk, and just a few extra pounds on a short woman can be more noticeable than it would be on a taller lady. Certainly it’s a trend that could be skipped if it’s not flattering, or for those who still want to wear pastels, but don’t look their best in pastel clothing, it would be easy to add a touch of light color with pastel fashion accessories, such as a pastel handbag or jewelry in pastel hues.

Pastel solid colors mixed in a light spring fashion palette at the Ralph Lauren 2012 Spring Fashion Show.

Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images