2011 Style Trends

The days following New York Fashion Week are always somewhat schizophrenic. The dust is barely settling from all the shows, the taxis, and the very late nights, and we're already wondering what's to come from London and the rest of the shows on the horizon. But what NYFW does that none of the others do, is lead the way for all those big ideas that anchor the season. The New York collections come first, so we naturally applaud all our favorite designers—from Phillip Lim and Jason Wu to Rag & Bone and Marc Jacobs—for making all of these bold declarations first...and so beautifully. So, herein lies our list of the spring 2011 fashion trends that made the fashion week shows so unique and iconic. And if you're like us, you'll want to start giving some of these looks a whirl right now...those high-waisted wide-leg trousers and the dolman sleeve? We're on it.

1. The Re-Return of the Wide-Leg Trouser—For some of us, the high-waisted, wide-leg trouser will never really go out of style. So, when we saw it popping up on practically everyone's runways—the sidewalks outside the shows, included!—we knew these '70s-inspired bottoms were back with a vengeance. And Marc, Tory, and Tommy all fashioned them to perfection.

 Above, from left: Spring 2011 fashion week trends and runway looks from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Jason Wu, Tommy Hilfiger. Photos courtesy of the designers.

2. A Zest For Orange—Rich mango, persimmon, ripe pumpkin—however you slice it, bold orange was one of spring's sweetest color trends. And whether paired with white at Marc Jacobs or with bad-girl booties at Chris Benz, this intense shade feels fresh once again.

Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Carlos Miele, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Chris Benz. Photos courtesy of the designers.