This Summer, You Will Find Yourself Wrapped in Heavenly Fabrics

By Gabriella Luciano

This season, dresses and skirts will remain must haves, but for summer 2012, fashion designers have also given us all kinds of fun summer dress variations. Dresses offer wonderful vivid prints, stripes, and geometric prints – not to mention some great new takes on animal prints – that will look great on Toronto’s best patios. Bright, bold and interesting, summer 2012’s sundresses feature other nature-inspired patterns. These include animal and bird prints, floral prints as well as patterns depicting sky, clouds and sun. Kaleidoscopic prints will be perfect to create illusions while a variety of geometrical prints will help you play with your figure proportions.

The main theme for Summer 2012 is somewhat tailored and classic, but with a touch of bold, and edgy.

Key 2012 summer dress trends are pastels, the most popular shade being soft mint green.

A chalky pastel hue lends fresh spring appeal to this perfectly flowy pleated Lona dress from BCBGMAXAZRIA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This elegant midi-length chiffon dress from Forever 21 features a round neckline and an elasticized waistline.

 

A sexy and casual scoop neck dress from American Apparel, featuring a low scooped back.
As always, black and white fashions defy time, and keep their well earned place as big colours for spring and summer of 2012. Black and white fashions were big on the runways this season with most fashion designers showing black and white in some fashion or another. Let’s face it – you can’t go wrong with the traditional black and white outfit. The designers know this little fact, and continue to cash in on it.

 

 

Reinvent your casual look in this sleek knit Neka maxi dress from BCBG.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A tribal-esque border print patterns this form-fitting tunic dress from Le Chateau.

 

 

 

 

This ponte knit sheath dress from Forever 21 features stripes and a traditional waistline with decorative button tabs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Airy maxi dresses, made of chiffon, taffeta, organza and other sheer fabrics are hot this season and come in colorful prints.

A sheer sleeveless chiffon maxi dress with a feminine, flowing fit from American Apparel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make a stylish statement in this versatile Edita pleated dress from BCBG. Wear it belted for a chic look, or leave it long and flowing for easy sophistication.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sumptuously soft feel of Banana Republic’s Paula patio dress is just the thing for the warm-weather months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While some ladies opt for airy maxi dresses, others will definitely want to show more of their bodies, and trendy mini dresses will help them a lot with this in different colours and designs.

A short retro-inspired dress from Forever 21 featuring a ditsy bow print and a flounced trim along the front and back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glittering dresses. If you want all attention centered on you, just go for one of the glittering dresses that designers provided in abundance for Spring/Summer 2012. Try a silver or gold dress or find a bolder option in green, red or blue.

Put your night-out focus on glam metallic edge with this versatile tunic dress from BCBG.
Asymmetrical hemlines. The asymmetrical hemline is a big Spring/Summer 2012 trend, which extends not only to dresses but to various tops and coats, too.

 

 

 

A midi-length high-low dress from Forever 21 featuring self-tie halter straps and a cut-out charm in between the bust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simple, shining accessories take this easy and airy BCBG asymmetrical dress from day to evening in a snap.

 

 

 

 

 

Floral print is very trendy during Spring/ Summer 2012. Delicate and small or large prints look feminine and very beautiful

This Forever 21 ditsy floral print dress features two trends: an asymmetrical hemline and floral print.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This retro-inspired swing dress from Forever 21 features a vibrant island print and a structured bodice with hidden boning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An old print elevates this Kacey Keyhole day dress from BCBG to must-have status.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lace dresses. Lace has been a trend since last spring, but it hasn’t lost its popularity, although in Spring/Summer 2012, lace has become more delicate.

Forever 21’s elegant swing dress features a lace overlay and a round neckline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Set the stage for sweet style in this flirty, Beti lace crocheted dress from BCBG.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Republic features a knit lace dress for Summer 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frills. Spring/Summer 2012 collections have many dresses with frills and pleats. While some look neat and classy, others are huge and eye-catching.

A textured woven dress from Forever 21 featuring cutout shoulders, ruffles and a round neckline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amp up your spring wardrobe with this bright and flirty Thia pleated day dress from BCBG.