AW12 TRENDS FOR DRESSES

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Photograph: Alexa Chung wearing Erdem, taken from tumblr  

Although it may not have seemed like much of a Summer in the UK this year, August is already drawing into September, some are getting ready to return uni, and it will soon be time to think about what dresses you’ll be seeking out to replenish your wardrobe this autumn winter! Here are the main 2012 autumn through winter dresses trends I’ve picked up on from the catwalks, fashion magazines and Hollywood stars so far this year.

Despite the fact that the outside weather is likely to get colder, see-through lacy and layered dresses seem to be making a lot of headway. Add in beads and a splash of more of the key colour for the end of 2012, Coral Red, and you have a Pandora’s Box to start playing with.

The floral trend in dresses ebbs and flows, as it has done for many decades. Of course florals have been big already this year, and have graced both urban and rural fashions across Europe and beyond this spring/summer. It's not unusual for the floral bloom to die out in autumn and winter, but it looks like this year will see floral patterns continue in dresses, although with a less flighty and more luxurious look and feel more suitable for evening wear. Think more edgy and darkwave, featuring maroons and purples - not exactly Gothic, but with a definite nod in that direction. Add in beads and belts and you’re there, well in advance of the autumn/winter fashion flow, with followers and wannabes in your wake! 

 Photograph: Agyness Deyn in Vogue Italia

What else? Sexy, classy, and classic are also the features to look for when buying clothes for this fall and winter...And did I mention hats? Yep the macho yet mellow man-hat is due to make a huge comeback this year- from felty Fedora’s to trendy Trilbys. The waist has also returned with a vengeance - whether on a curvy, lacy dress or a belted swing coat, the emphasis is on the waist. The seriously girlie frock is also out for the time being, for now anyway - the hem line is modestly mid knee to well below the knee.

 Photograph: Alexander McQueen AW12, taken from www.alexandermcqueen.co.uk

For evening wear dresses, the designers are dictating the use of some bolder colours. Along with the purples, maroons and dark reds I mentioned before, add in some Autumn gold, and clear winter sky azure. “Where’s the black?” I hear you ask!  Worry not, designers have used black in many of the autumn/winter mixes, but not alone - add in the other colours previously touted, plus some greys, and there you have the late 2012 palette. There you have it ladies, there's no excuse now - get yourself all prepped up for the end of summer and start an exciting new season in dress fashion!

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