Neons

The 80s enjoy a comeback this season in the form of neons. Avoid looking like a walking Vegas sign, and remember: subtlety is the key to mastering this look. Utilize bright shades of tangerine to give any outfit a vibrant boost, or make a strong uniform statement with a bold solid fuchsia look. If wearing highlighter green (a current runway favourite) from head-to-toe seems a bit too daring for you, try out the trend in subtle doses by way of bags, shoes and jewelry.

Runway: Nanette Lepore
Street: Sandro, The Gap, Elizabeth and James

Metallics & Sequins

Many designers dipped into gold and silver for their S/S 12 collections, adding rich texture to classic designs like pencil skirts, tailored trousers and even princess dresses. Sequined and bedazzled accents transform mere dressing into a special occasion, while glistening silk organzas flaunt feminine charm, with the more mature gold and silver groupings creating richness and playful elegance, putting a fresh spin on timeless — perhaps formerly stuffy — looks. To tone things down, pair your metallic skirt with a cream colored blouse; using neutrals to balance out a metallic piece will keep you on-trend without painting you an eager style beaver.

Runway: Lavin
Street: Diesel Black Gold, Mango, Zara

Sportswear

This season designers seem to have been inspired by the upcoming Summer Olympics given the surge of sporty fashion separates popping up on the runway. Evolving from gym attire to high fashion, the trend is responsible for the return of racer back jersey dresses (you might recall modelled by the original cast of 90210), the popularity of sexy leather biker gear and bright separates that scream Jane Fonda aerobic workout. Embrace in the comfort of loose jersey fabrics for daywear and formfitting and sleek pieces in mesh or jersey when looking to make an impression come evening. Tip: when it comes to this trend, avoid paying too much for anything that looks like you could wear it on the trendmill in your basement.

Runway: Alexander Wang
Street: Fred Perry, Michi, Puma

Colour Blocking

Colour Blocking is back with a vengeance, and is sure to be amongst the spring trends you will see the most of on the street. While brights are the most popular colour blocking option, the trend is not limited to sunny hues. This season, there is a large selection of colour-blocked clothing and accessories in neutrals, pastel tones and even black. To get the look, pick up pieces with colour blocked prints or create your own breakup by matching together a melange of colours, like a tangerine skirt, a hot pink blouse, and a bright turquoise belt.

Runway: BCBG Max Azria
Street: French Connection, H&M, Scotch & Soda

Stripes

One of the big trends this season is anything striped. Expect to see them not only on wonderful nautical knit tops, but on skirts, dresses, handbags, and even shoes. Oozing summer glee when worn as the brightest component in your ensemble,  best jump on the bandwagon now, the A/W 12 shows tell us this trend will carry on through to the winter months.

Runway: Michael Kors
Street: Club Monaco, Anthropologie, J. Crew

Whites & Pales

Minimalism is the new black. Tagging along behind the crispness of spring, is a muted palette of classic whites and beiges, with the added flirt of washed out pastels tones such as glacier blue, not to be confused with kiddie preferred baby blue. The pale rainbow of colours speaks to the girl in all of us, conjuring up images of unicorns when colouring billowing gowns, or daisy crowns when worn sheer.

Runway: Louis Vuitton
Street: Ralph Lauren, Vero Moda, Wilfred

Mixing Prints

Don’t be afraid to mix and match your prints this season — what was once considered to clash, is now the perfect pairing. That means, instead of layering your new abstract print dress with a solid colour, throw on a striped cardigan. The trick to the trend is balancing out a large print with a smaller one, such as pairing a bold floral printed skirt with a polkadot blouse. Remember to focus on a base color in each print or complimentary colours that contrast well together.

Runway : Thakoon
Street: Top Shop, Marni for H&M, Banana Republic