Saks Fifth Avenue Comments on Spring Trends

Saks Fifth Avenue is seeing an influx of collections notable for their playful colors, lighter weights, feminine charms and ethereal moods. Here, Saks notes a few of the most compelling trends we see emerging for spring.

SUPER-SATURATED COLOR

Spring's most visible trend is the whimsical intensity of the color palette. Hues are overbrimming with pigment, with bold primary colors like red, yellow, and bright blue leading the way on the designer runway. Squint to avoid optical overload.

PRECISON FLORALS

On the more feminine side, there is an abundant array of realistic floral and botanical prints. These prints are different from the more abstract florals seen last spring. They are crisply drawn, vibrantly colored and digitally enhanced, bringing to life the true beauty of this season's blooms.

LACE IN COLOR

To complement these pretty prints is lace, especially lace in color. Varieties of lace range from light, sheer and delicate types to heavier varieties in soft, muted tones and the brightest of brights. Lace in color is perfectly acceptable for daywear, and you will see it for jackets, tops, dresses, skirts and even shorts. In a more dressed-up silhouette, this idea will transition beautifully into the evening hours.

GEOMETRICS

To contrast these pretty prints and feminine fabrications, geometrics made a major statement on the runway. We saw a 1960's mood and streamlined, architectural silhouettes creating a retro-futuristic vibe. The A-line shape is a favorite for skirts, dresses, and even jackets. Graphics include bold stripes, checks and a variety of oversized op-art patterns.

OPTIC WHITE

A pure canvas enhances the season's bright pops of color, geometric lines and artistic details. Monochromatic two-piece dressing is at the core of this trend.

NEO MOTO

We continue to see the sport and utility direction with sporty jackets, track pants, shorts, and sexy body-conscious dresses, often with athletic mesh details. A great piece to rise out of this trend is the Neo Moto jacket. Brightly colored leather motorcycle jackets get spring/summer-appropriate updates via lighter weights, perforations and laser-cut details. The Neo Moto trend extends to novelty versions in denim and even prints and patterns.

ENLIGHTENED SUIT

While the dress is still important, we are seeing a return to tailoring for Spring 2013. More and more designers are showcasing light, informal pairings of sartorial separates. Whether pairing a sleeveless jacket with slim pants, a blazer with a pair of shorts, or a crisp shirt or peplum top with a skirt, the enlightened suit is turning a uniform idea into fashion freedom.

SHORT AND SWEET

On the more casual side, you will be seeing an abundance of shorts. Many looks add a little volume and subtract a little from the hemline. The season's major trends are a big presence here, with precision florals and lace in color sweetening the presentation.

DENIM IN DISTRESS

Frayed or faded, bleached or broken-in, distressed denim and chambray are sending out an S.O.S. this spring, especially in our Contemporary area.

SMALL-SCALE HANDBAGS

The season's most sought-after handbag silhouette is small but powerful. Spring's condensed, highly detailed versions of classic shapes are the bonsai of bags.

GLADIATOR SANDALS

Fierce footwear takes its cue from the Romans, reimagined in seductive new styles.

BRUSHSTROKES OF BEAUTY

The world of beauty is experiencing a particularly artistic moment, with a number of products emerging to inspire our creative instincts. Improved cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturizing formulas lead to a PERFECTLY PREPPED CANVAS. Makeup artists and beauty lovers alike can discover LINE-DRAWN EYES, adding more precision and drama with new, lightweight formulas of liners and mascaras. WATERCOLOR HUES have also arrived for the spring season. Simply apply washes of soft powder and a dramatic smudge of cream liner to upper and lower lids. Even fragrance fans can get in on the artistic act, with a renewed emphasis on FRAGRANCE BLENDING. We love freshening a rich floral with a citrus zing, but every customer is encouraged to create her own not-over-the-counter scent.

About Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world's preeminent specialty retailers, is renowned for its superlative American and international designer collections, its expertly edited assortment of handbags, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics and gifts, and the first-rate fashion expertise and exemplary client service of its Associates. Today, Saks operates 43 full-line stores in 20 states, 5 international licensed stores, 65 Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores and saks.com, the company's online store.

Saks Fifth Avenue is proud to be named a J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Customer Service Champion and is only one of 50 U.S. companies so named.