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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.