Sorbet Shades for Spring 2012 Fashion Inspiration and Tips

Mix and match As debuted on the runway of Phillip Lim (left), pretty pales are meant to be combined. Lim claims his pieces are inspired by the kite: breezy and free to fly— much of what sorbet shades emulate. Jonathan Saunder’s spring collection reaffirms this trend, by mixing tangerine hues with a beach-inspired blue and beige skirt (right). As multiple runways reveal, faded neons hold no boundaries. Only suggestion: opt for colours that work against one another (like oranges and purples) to make your look stand out.

Statement piece pantsIf you’re not one for mix-and-matching hues, various designers— like Rebecca Minkoff and Chloe— experimented with sherbet hued pant designs. A sheer midriff-baring look with high-waisted pants (as showcased in Rebecca Minkoff’s Spring 2012 collection) is ideal for a night out. In contrast, Chloe’s spring runway paired a vibrant-toned pant with a ladylike blouse— an on trend approach to brightening up standard work attire.

Go monochromatic  When donning such playful, feminine colours, scope out your most beloved hue, and wear it for all it’s worth. Since the sherbet shade is somewhere between a neon and barely-there pastel, there’s enough pigment to stand out on its own. Just make sure the shade complements your features — like model Charlotte Free’s coveted pink strands on the PPQ catwalk (right.) On Christopher Kane’s Spring 2012 runway (left) a sheen mint blazer and matching shorts brightens up the model’s pale features.

Feminine mid-length skirts  

As the runways of Aquilano.Rimondi and Prada manifest, no garment screams spring more than a breezy skirt in a summer-loving shade. Flowing, pleated skirts reminiscent of the ‘50s have secured a spot on the runway once again— only this time they’re brighter, and more versatile. Whether it be an aqua hued variety as seen on the Aquilano.Rimondi runway (left) or a pink and blue toned design showcased on the Prada catwalk (right) these light-shaded skirts can be paired with just about anything. One tip: with a monochromatic skirt, take if from these looks and experiment with a patterned piece up top.