Microtrends

Please excuse my long overdue and unsolicited roundup of Fall 2012 fashion month. Truth be told, I was barely paying attention, but I've diligently spent the last two three nights sifting through the collections and while I came away with a clear sensation of the obvious references--pantsuits! 60's! orange! baroque opulence!--I was also able to pick up on a few trends that were being quietly whispered as opposed to loudly proclaimed. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Cankles: boots were slouchy in the weirdest places this season--or covered in hair. Either way, this can only mean one thing: ankles are OUT and log legs are IN! (L to R: Givenchy, Moncler Gamme Rouge, Aquilano, Alexander McQueen)

2. Head-to-toe wallpaper prints. See? I knew I was onto something with my grandma couch print pants. Just call me a trend forecaster. (L to R: Sophie Theallet, Anna Sui, Carven, Miu Miu)

3. Powderpuff coats. These guys are all roomy through the shoulders and arms. They came in other colors, too, like the ubiquitous powder blue (as seen at Acne). (L to R: Jil Sander, Antonio Berardi, Lyn Devon, Chloe)

4. Needlepoint. Insert joke about "not your grandma's needlepoint." Because seriously, it's not at all like your grandma's needlepoint. (L to R: Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana)

5. Wide horizontal stripes on dresses. Slimming schmimming. Who cares if you look like a double wide--these stripes are graphic, bright, and cheery. (L to R: Otswald Helgason, Carven, Victoria by Victoria Beckham, Ohne Titel)

6. Split hems. Such a tiny detail but one that I noticed right away. Looks especially fresh on a slim, cropped cut. I foresee some ill-advised at-home DIY attempts to get this look with a pair of scissors. My pants are quaking in fear. (L to R: Rachel Comey, Rachel Comey, Rebecca Taylor, 3.1 Phillip Lim)