Style trends you can carry into 2012

We round up some of the 2011 trends and tips that still matter in 2012, and take a peek at trend-defying dresses that will keep you looking good.

As we enter the weeks of 2012 with a bleary eye and a weary head, for many of us the last thing we want to think about is clothing.

The whirl of fashion and commerce never seem to stop, and at this time, as shops clamour for the most sales customers, it is easy to get carried away by discounts and end up buying useless items just for the sake of it.

But if you’re looking for some new clothes, especially the kind of dresses UK customers love and wear time and again, you can use a bit of know-how and navigate your way through the murky ocean of discarded sale items to find some great dresses that will look great now – and out-live the trends.

Two of the biggest trends this year are, quite thankfully, variations on some very, very classic themes which constantly recur in fashion. And as any real fashion icon will tell you, it’s not about following the crowds, but about finding more of your own style and following your own tastes and demands.

Contrast

Colour blocking, brightly-coloured piping or huge white stripes amid swathes of black and blocked colour have been huge this year. Warehouse.co.uk is carrying new dresses UK wide for 2012 which add a sporty edge to this most classic of design principles, with contrast panel dresses enlivened by bright neon piping (pictured). Grey and bright yellow are a more relaxed choice; or the black and pink-piped Contrast dress is an excellent example of a day-to-night LBD that will suit work or a party.

Sweetness

Perhaps intimidated by the economic reality facing the capitalized west, fashion has also turned back to dreamy, hyper-typical feminine looks and patterns. Florals, pussy bow colours, soft tea-dresses, gentle waists have all been back with a vengeance this year – and they continue to endure. This is accompanied in the perfume industry, where sugary perfumes – such as Jimmy Choo’s debut – enjoy a revival. Thierry Muglier’s Angel, the original sweet perfume, is joined by Viktor and Rolf’s Flowerbomb and Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle on the saccharine lust-list.

Coty To Release L’Eau de Chloe

Coty Prestige has announced a new addition to the Chloe lineup in the form of L’Eau de Chloe, a refreshing new take on the original 2008 release – not to be confused with the very first Chloe Original released way back in 1975.

As with the previous versions, rose takes center stage, this time in the form of distilled rose water, combined with patchouli and citrus notes to make this an ideal spring scent, further emphasised by the light green juice itself and matching green ribbon.

L’Eau de Chloe is expected to hit shelves in February 2012 and will be available as a 30ml, 50ml and 100ml eau de toilette.

Something Special For Fendi Fans

We’ve blogged in the past about ridiculously expensive special edition versions of fragrances – the £35,000 bottle of Paco Rabanne 1 Million and the $1 million bottle of DKNY Golden Delicious, so at just £1,485, Fendi’s latest special edition is an absolute steal – if money is no object that is.

We spotted this new release over on Escentual where the sales blurb states that you can “Prove your love for FENDI with the Fan di FENDI Eau de Parfum Giant Vanity Edition, a limited edition 1 litre-sized bottle that is thinking on the grandest of scales.”

“Designed by Silvia Fendi, this oversized perfume bottle is housed inside an ultra shiny black patent leather vanity case. The must-have case is superbly in line with that distinctive FENDI aesthetic; its leather has been selected for its superior quality, and it is sewn using only traditional craftsmanship. An indulgent collector’s piece to please every FENDI aficionado.”

At the time of writing we noticed that Escentual only had one in stock. Not expecting this to be a high volume seller then?

Madonna To Release Fragrance In 2012

Coty is set to add a new celebrity to its existing portfolio with news that Madonna will be launching her own fragrance next year called Truth or Dare. What’s taken her so long? Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Jennifer Lopez have all been there and done that already. Maybe she wants to get the jump on Lady Gaga who signed a deal with Coty late last year and is set to release her first fragrance next Spring.

In an interview with WWD Madonna said “I have always been obsessed by fragrance and for years wanted to create something personal that was an expression of me, but that other people could relate to as well. Something classical and timeless and yet modern. My oldest memory of my mother is her perfume. I carry it with me everywhere. She always smelled like gardenias and tuberose, an intoxicating mixture [that was] feminine and mysterious. I wanted to re-create this scent, but with something fresh and new about it as well. Something honest and yet daring — hence the name Truth or Dare”.

Madonna’s Truth or Dare will be available as a 30ml, 50ml and 75ml eau de parfum and should hits shelves in the US in April and globally in May 2012.

Yves Saint Laurent Releases Parisienne L’Essentiel

It’s flanker time again as Yves Saint Laurent releases this year’s version of Parisienne in the form of Parisienne L’Essential. Released in 2009, the original Parisienne, with its strong rose and berry notes was a daytime favourite. The heavier Parisienne A L’Extreme from 2010 was a more sensual affair and this year’s release promises to be “the very essence of feminine sophistication”.

L’Essentiel “combines seductiveness, elegance, fascination and sensuality. Like the bottle with its black top and shades of violet, sparkling like vintage jewellery and as intricate as the streets of Paris.” Notes include pink pepper, iris, Damascena Rose, Sambac Jasmine and White Leather accord.

Parisienne L’Essentiel will be available as a 30ml and 50ml Essence de Parfum.

Clinique’s Aromatics Elixir Celebrates 40 Years

Released in 1971, Aromatics Elixir was Clinique’s first fragrance and over the years this floral chypre with its dominant notes of patchouli, oakmoss and white flowers has become a perennial favourite with over 19.7 million bottles sold in the last decade alone. To celebrate this classic fragrance’s 40th anniversary, Clinique has announced the release of a limited edition collection.

The anniversary collection will consist of a 100ml Aromatics Elixir, a 25ml Perfumer’s Reserve edition and a 1.4g solid perfume necklace. While the 100ml edition will retain it’s classic notes, the Perfume’s reserve edition will offer a more modern and smoother interpretation of the original and feature notes of rose, jasmine, myrrh and patchouli, blended with orange flower absolute and peach.

According to perfumer Laurent Le Guernec, “I wanted Aromatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve to attest to the genius of the original, while yielding a fresh perspective. I hope that in Aromatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve, the woman who is addicted to the original will find a new way of experiencing her beloved Aromatics Elixir, while women who thought the original too potent will find this modern homage alluring.”

Source: The Moodie Report

Villian: A New Fragrance Duo From Ed Hardy

Ed Hardy has launched a new his and hers fragrance duo in the form of Villain, a fruity floral for women and an aromatic fougere for men. At this stage they’ve only been launched in the States but should reach UK shores soon – no doubt in time for Christmas. And there it is, our first mention of Christmas this year!

Ed Hardy Villain for Women
“Playfully splashing in the sea waters, she tempts you in with succulent lickable fruits with their sweet juiciness and vibrant color. Ed Hardy Villain for Women is overpowering, yet astoundingly feminine like the petals of delicate flowers. The strength of her hold on you is uncontrollable as if bound by roots and woods. Lost in her world of the deep blue sea, yet still enchanted with her kisses as sweet and addicting as crème brulee.”

Fragrance notes include watermelon, lychee, citrus notes, lotus, magnolia, freesia, sandalwood, iris and creme brulee.

Ed Hardy Villain for Men
“Ed Hardy Villain tells of a story of great and dangerous adventures with scents reflecting memories of far away lands. Fearlessly splashing off the top, Italian Bergamot and French Lavender are dashed with masculine spices while herbaceous Egyptian Basil and wild sage settle in the heart. Juicy blackcurrant buds with a hint of Nutmeg Oil from Indonesia engage the senses as the journey into the dry down begins. Hidden in the shadows are earthy woods infused with the treasure of golden amber. The lingering musk trails off in the distance as he moves on to his next voyage.”

Fragrance notes include lavender, musk, sandalwood, virginia cedar, sage, amber, nutmeg, cardamom, bergamot, basil and pepper.

Ed Hardy Villain for women will be available as a 75ml and 125ml eau de parfum while Ed Hardy Villain for men will ba available as a 75ml and 125ml eau de toilette.

Quotes from Macy’s.

Dolce & Gabbana Releases The One Lace Edition

Fans of Dolce & Gabbana’s The One for women may have already spotted a new limited edition version in stores, The One Lace Edition, but is this really a new fragrance or simply the same fragrance merely repackaged in which case isn’t that a bit cheeky?

Don’t get me wrong, the new bottle is certainly attractive but with notes of bergamot, mandarin, lychee, peach, lily, muguet, jasmine, plum, vetiver, amber, musk and vanilla it seems the juice inside is identical. So if you buy this and are expecting something different you may be disappointed.

Guerlain Releases Habit Rouge L’Eau

If Shalimar represents the essence of the Guerlain fragrance house for women, then Habit Rouge is the men’s equivalent. First released in 1965, this woody oriental fragrance was created by Jean Paul Guerlain and over the years there have been a few variations of this classic scent including a refreshed sport version released in 2009.

A new modern take on this classic has now been launched in the form of Habit Rouge L’Eau.

“Habit Rouge L’Eau is a fresh, modernised orchestration of Habit Rouge’s olfactory signature. The radiance of citrus blends with the sensuality of oriental notes to create a freshness that breaks free from the norm.”

This fresh oriental will contain notes of bitter orange, hazelnut, jasmine, vanilla and patchouli and will be available as a 50ml and 100ml eau de toilette.

Tommy Hilfiger To Release Eau de Prep Duo

Tommy Hilfiger’s last fragrance outing, the rock ‘n roll inspired Loud duo had fairly mixed reviews. While the men’s fragrance was fairly well received, response to the ladies version was either love it or hate it – not atypical of many fragrance releases if we have to be honest. For the next release, Hilfiger goes back to his roots with a new take on the classic Tommy and Tommy Girl fragrances, this time inspired by the brand’s Spring 2011 Prep World collection.

Eau de Prep Tommy Girl (red) will contain notes of pink peppercorn, violet leaf, green apple, white roses, and sandalwood, hawthorn and musk for a “classic Prep feeling”.

Eau de Prep Tommy for men (blue) will include notes of grapefruit, clary sage, geranium, a splash of tonic water, amber, oakmoss and suede leather to convey a feeling of “fresh, classic, sporty and preppy”.

Eau de Prep fragrances should hit shelves this October and will be available as a 50ml and 100ml eau de toilette.