5 Things To Expect in Spring 2013

Spring Styles are already showing up in stores. Thoughts of "swimsuit season" are starting to stir. The spring runway shows were already more than 3 months ago! Although fashion doesn't follow the same trickle-down pattern that it once did, it is inevitable that the stores we shop in are taking notes from top designers and known trendsetters. So without further adieu, here are 5 things we can expect to see echoed (most likely in watered-down forms) in department and specialty stores throughout the coming months:

1. The Bib Front.
The collars of last year--from Peter Pan to exaggerated and pointed--are transforming this season into the bib front. Not that collars have gone away, but many have been translated into or paired with the flat front. We will see this look in casual blouses that button in the front, or the bib will be added to dresses. This is part of the massive vintage trend that has swept fashion, home decor, and more in the last few years and is showing no signs of going away. People of today want to have all the perks of 2013, but look like they live in 1950.

Three looks featuring a bib front from Valentino Spring 2013 RTW

John Galliano's version. Spring 2013 RTW

2. Art

Probably the most common theme on the runway was wearable art. Not just interesting prints, but as if the fabric itself were treated as a canvas. Looks on the runway were damn near museum-worthy. We will see screen-tees, dresses, skirts, and probably even pants donning traditional paintings, watercolors, sketches, photographs, and abstracts.

Prada Spring RTW

Photographic art.
John Galliano Spring RTW

From the Sartorialist

Dolce & Gabbana Spring RTW

Watercolor looks from Versace Spring RTW

3. Bold Geometric Graphics

In sharp contrast to the freestyle look of the art pieces that were on the runway were bold geometric prints. The playfulness and abstraction of the art pieces really set off the repetitive geometric  prints such as large checkered pieces and stripes. These prints are very likely to be taken literally by retail stores we shop in, as it is easy to reproduce. Don't be surprised to see a lot of stripes this season!

Bold Stripes.
Dior Spring RTW

Nearly the entire Louis Vuitton Spring RTW
collection included checkers.

Dolce & Gabbana Spring RTW

Wonderful mixture of texture and print. Balmain Spring RTW.

4. Ruffles

Beautiful ruffles floated down the runway for spring. While the designers created beautiful large, soft ruffles,it is likely that they will be reduced in size for mass production. Let's remain hopeful though. Ruffles create such an air of soft femininity, especially when they are large. Either way it seems likely that we can look forward to cascading fabric in the coming season. 

Ruffled sleeves.
Gucci Spring RTW

A favorite piece from the Balenciaga
Spring RTW collection. 

*hint* Turn a hi-low hemmed skirt sideways to create a similar look!

Ruffles from Badgley Mischka Spring RTW

5. Flowers

What? Flowers for spring? No way! Well this is a little different. These are 3D. I know it sounds a little disturbing, but that aisle in the craft store full of plastic petals may just become your new happy place. It's time to let your inner flower child bloom. Don't be surprised to see floral hair clips, headbands and crowns appear in droves at stores like Forever 21 and H&M. Most of these flowers will be in the form of accessories.

3 D flower from Badgley Mischka Spring RTW

Take a close look at this necklace from Gucci

I Hate Blonde dons a floral crown and adds more blooms in her stockings.  

3D blossoms from Alexander McQueen Spring RTW

Prada's flowers are only slightly 3D.  But take a look at those glasses!  

Another floral crown. This one from The Sartorialist.

So now we just wait, and see how many of these show up in stores over the next few months. All photos are from Style.com, Ihateblonde, and The Sartorialist. Thanks for reading!