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.

Michael Jackson Tribute Fragrance Set for Release

A fragrance created as a tribute to Michael Jackson by his father Joe Jackson was finally given a release date after legal troubles delayed its launch. Created using the scents of flowers from Michael’s famed Neverland ranch, Joe Jackson’s plans for the perfume were waylaid following a dispute over the use of Michael Jackson’s name. Now called the JRP/Jackson Perfume Collection, the tribute scent debuted in Las Vegas on January 21^st.

The JRP/Jackson Perfume Collection is far from being the first tribute scent. Over the years perfumers have been inspired to create fragrances in tribute to everything from food to cities to…t-shirts. Tying the worlds of sport, clothing and fragrance together like never before, Lacoste launched their Eau de Lacoste L.12.12. fragrance range last year, inspired by their iconic Lacoste L.12.12. polo shirt. The shirt (see picture), which you can check out here as part of the mens designer clothing range at House of Fraser, was created in 1933 and went on to become the most famous polo design on the planet, launching the Lacoste empire in the process.

Michael isn’t the first king of pop to have his own fragrance either. The worlds of music and fragrance are now crossing paths more than ever. Music stars with their own signature colognes now include Westlife, 50 Cent, Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs, The Sex Pistols, Jay-Z, and rock stars KISS – although we’re still waiting for the once promised Marilyn Manson range.

Celebrities from every sphere of stardom, from sport to movies, have been jumping at the chance to create their own signature scents. Elizabeth Taylor was the first actor to have her own fragrance, White Diamonds, which is still the biggest selling celebrity perfume of all time. Marilyn Monroe soon followed suit, and now there’s Antonio Banderas. Since launching his first fragrance, Diavolo, in 1997, he has gone on to create Diavolo for Women, Mediterraneo, Spirit, Spirit for Women, Blue Seduction, Blue Seduction for Women and most recently, The Golden Secret. It seems that once you’ve created your first perfume, it’s hard to stop.

The trend certainly doesn’t show any signs of slowing. Madonna, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber are all set to launch their own fragrances this year. From a 2% market share in 2000, celebrity perfumes now account for 6% of all perfumes sold worldwide.

Dressing To Match Your Signature Scent

It’s easier than you might think to match your look to your signature scent, or vice versa. Perfumes trigger more than just your sense of smell. Fragrances have the power to conjure up images, colours, memories, and even emotions. So wearing a fragrance can effect your mood, and the fragrances that you’re drawn to can reveal the kind of personality that you have and even the kind of clothes you like to wear. Whether you love fruity, zingy fragrances or prefer your perfume rich and dark, there’s a fresh fashion trend for 2012 to match. So whatever your favourite fragrance you can accentuate it with this season’s must-have looks.

Floral
Love your fragrances on the floral side? Then you’re in luck because the biggest print trend for the 2012 spring/summer season is florals. Ideal for summer, you can accentuate the delicate nature of your floral scent by looking for gentle, lightweight or even sheer floral prints. The new spring dresses collection at House of Fraser includes this sweet floral treat that sums up this scent perfectly.

Fresh
Celebs have been dressing to match their signature scents more than ever now that so many of them have launched fragrances of their own. From Beyonce to Rihanna and Katy Perry, they all show us just how easy it is to capture the essence of your fragrance with fashion. A perfect example for those who like their fragrances fresh is Faith Hill. The crisp, fresh tones of her signature fragrance are matched by the crisp, starched fabric of her blouse, and with a warming rosy hue to bring out the warm side of the fragrance too.

Oriental
This fragrance type is bold and sensuous. Dark musks, amber, spices and balsams from around the world come together to form unique, heady scents that are perfect for those who like their look strong and natural. Oriental scents are the ideal match for the Afrocentric look being championed by designers in 2012. This feature at Vogue sums up the look, with tribal prints and traditional ethnic craftsmanship coming together from around the globe to create a fresh new look for summer. Match your oriental scent to tribal motif prints and sensuous fabrics like velvet and silk. And look for slinky shapes like this year’s sheer maxi dresses and Studio 54-style floor-sweeping jumpsuits for a look that’s as elegant as the scent itself.

Esme Perfume Pendant Review

As you would expect at Perfume Fairy, we’re big fans of all things perfume which is why we were excited to hear from a company called Esme Jewellery who offered to send us one of their perfume pendants to try out.

If you’re anything like me then a single application of perfume is not enough, and I often like to to-up throughout the day. But that usually means carrying a heavy perfume bottle or mini perfume atomiser around with me in my handbag. Sometimes however, I just like to be hands-free but still like to have some perfume with me and that’s when an Esme perfume pendant is ideal. This egg-shaped pendant’s party trick is that it opens up to reveal a small roll-on perfume applicator inside.

So, what were my thoughts on trying out a pendant for myself? Well, I am not used to wearing necklaces in this style so was a bit unsure to start with but, once I found a blouse to match, I was good to go and loved it!  It really did feel like a little gift around my neck!

For me, everything about receiving a product in the post is important, from the packaging to the contents, and this little package really did deliver.  It arrived neatly and securely packed in a gorgeous little box.

First impressions were good in terms of overall quality.  It was smaller than I expected it to be, but smaller in a good way.  Anything bigger would feel obtrusive.  The necklace is silver, a good length, feels sturdy and looks trendy.  The jewelled egg pendant is just beautiful and the little Swarovski crystals are what make it really special.  I had the black one and just loved it.  I think you do have to choose the right blouse / top to complement it but when you do, it looks great.

Receiving a complement is always a treat and I’ve received a few while wearing my pendant – ladies commenting on how unique it was, how elegant, with a gorgeous little sparkle – and that was before they even realised what was inside.

Of course, the purpose of the necklace is a secret little place to hold some perfume.  It’s a good idea although the amount of perfume it holds is quite small (4 or 5 sprays from a bottle), so it’s definitely more useful for topping-up rather than initial application. If you’re going out straight from the office or need a quick top-up before an important dinner/meeting then it’s perfect.

Filling up the roll-on using the included funnel lid was easy enough although I did find that once filled, I had to give it a little shake to get it applying properly but other than that I had no problems.

So would I recommend the Esme perfume pendant? In a word, yes. It’s great for any perfume lover and thanks to it’s good looks, quality finish and perfect presentation, would make an ideal and novel gift.