Spring 2012 fashion trends: Feminine florals bring back the pretty

By Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN

Updated 1042 GMT (1842 HKT) October 21, 2011

Fashion will be frothy, frilly and feminine next season. Models walk the runway during the Chanel Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2012 show during Paris Fashion Week at the Grand Palais.
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Fashion will be frothy, frilly and feminine next season. Models walk the runway during the Chanel Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2012 show during Paris Fashion Week at the Grand Palais.
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In Paris, a model presents a creation by Italian designer Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent. Retailers will put an emphasis on shape and color blocking to accentuate fluid silhouettes.
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In Paris, a model presents a creation by Italian designer Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent. Retailers will put an emphasis on shape and color blocking to accentuate fluid silhouettes.
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Models present creations by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Chloe on October 3 in Paris. Expect to see loose layers, creams and whites in picked up by retailers in malls and high-street stores.
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Models present creations by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Chloe on October 3 in Paris. Expect to see loose layers, creams and whites in picked up by retailers in malls and high-street stores.
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A detail of a model on the runway during the Balmain Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2012 show in Paris. Always a hit with buyers, Balmain's show followed light-palette and structure trends.
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A detail of a model on the runway during the Balmain Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2012 show in Paris. Always a hit with buyers, Balmain's show followed light-palette and structure trends.
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Models present creations by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen on October 4 in Paris. Experts predict next season will be about celebrating the female form.
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Models present creations by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen on October 4 in Paris. Experts predict next season will be about celebrating the female form.
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A model displays a Vera Wang creation at New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012. Spring/Summer 2012 will see a lot of prints, according to buyers.
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A model displays a Vera Wang creation at New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012. Spring/Summer 2012 will see a lot of prints, according to buyers.
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Models prepare backstage at the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Spring 2012 show. Fashion-watchers say soft pastel color palettes will dominate Spring 2012.
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Models prepare backstage at the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Spring 2012 show. Fashion-watchers say soft pastel color palettes will dominate Spring 2012.
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Story highlights

  • Next season will see girls dressing as girls again; trends have been masculine
  • Expect to see flowing dresses, cocoon shapes and hourglass figures, say experts
  • Fashion industry: Pastel colors and floral prints will be on trend for spring
In recent seasons, fashion trends have dictated girls borrow from the male wardrobe with "boyfriend jeans" and military-inspired gear reminiscent of the battlefield. But looking ahead, the offerings on the catwalk for Spring/Summer 2012 indicate a definite return to femininity and glamor.
CNN asked three fashionistas in the know, Bloomingdale's fashion director Stephanie Solomon, stylist-to-the-stars Nikki Pennie and front-row fashion blogger Bryanboy, for their predictions of the new season's top trends.
"It's all about the feminine silhouette"
During the last month, Stephanie Solomon sat in on shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris and as Bloomingdale's head buyer she knows exactly what is likely be in stores.
"It is a total turn around from last year's Spring/Summer collections," says Solomon. "There is no reference to goth, grunge and certainly no borrowing from the boys this season."
"It is a totally feminine look that we haven't seen in years," she adds. "The catch-all phrase of the season is femininity. It is floral-inspired, tropical-inspired, ethnic-inspired, artist-inspired and scarf-inspired and usually is seen in a dress, a pair of pants, an underscore skirt and in colors that range from pale pastels to shocking neons."
Model Kate Moss in Louis Vuitton shows how the Spring season will be about feeling like a princess.
Model Kate Moss in Louis Vuitton shows how the Spring season will be about feeling like a princess.
Accessories will be minimal but in line with accentuating the feminine look and earrings will make a big comeback.