Fashion is replete with pleats. One of the significant trends for spring 2012 is the return of pleats as a design element.
The December 2011 issue of Lucky rhapsodized eloquently about accordion pleat skirts: “They’re demure and ladylike and somehow completely mesmerizing when you see one swishing and fluttering down the street.” Of the runway looks pictured, only the look from Jason Wu is accessorized with jewelry—a triple strand statement necklace with repeated vertical elements.
In its January 2012 issue, InStyle summarizes the top five trends of the spring season, including the pleated skirt. (InStyle also highlights pastels, basket weave bags, pencil heel shoes and the hourglass silhouette with design details such as defined waists and peplums.) The magazine features looks by Céline, Chloe, and Prada; the Prada is accented with a repetitive motif necklace and large, eye-catching earrings.
The January 2012 issue of Redbook terms a basic pleated skirt (the one pictured is from L.L. Bean Signature) “Your new go-to skirt.” Styled five different ways including the two shown above, a necklace from Bamboo pink and cuff bracelet from Monet Jewelry both reflect repetitive design motifs.
The February 2012 issue of Elle, highlighting pleats as one of the four key silhouettes of spring 2012, advises readers on how to wear a knife-pleat skirt. Always pair a knife-pleat skirt with statement earrings, advises Elle. The magazine’s rationale: “Miuccia Prada’s precision pleats look pulled together while still allowing the wearer to let loose. Whimsical accessories lighten up the ladylike look for a new form of power dressing—no shoulder pads required.” The earrings pictured are whimsical drop brass and crystal cameo earrings from Tom Binns Design.
In the February 2012 issue of Real Simple, a pleated dress from LC Lauren Conrad is beautifully paired with a link bracelet of repetitive Art Deco–inspired design of onyx stones in goldtone octagons from Lydell NYC. The model also carries a clutch from Jason Wu for Target.
For Oprah on the cover of the February 2012 issue of O, the Oprah Magazine, wearing pleats is part of a focus on color, and her jewelry reflects this. With the pleated skirt by Jeff Mahshie, Oprah wears colorful earrings from Tamsen Z, a bright pink cuff from Kara by Kara Ross, and a ring from David Yurman. Her sweater is from Magaschoni and her shoes are Jimmy Choo.
An ad for Bottega Veneta that appears in the February 2012 issue of Vogue pictures a model wearing a pleated skirt and a top with a repetitive pattern. She carries a woven tote. A woven design creates interest on the dangles of her long drop earrings. She also wears a cuff bracelet of repetitive rectangular segments.
The March 2012 issue of Lucky magazine suggests that its readers “Sex up a full skirt: Make it less Sandra Dee, more Rizzo.” To accomplish this, Lucky suggests wearing what it terms “cocktail earrings,” commenting “So irreverent for daytime.” The cubic zirconia earrings pictured are by 7 Chi.
Here’s another pleated skirt look from the March 2012 issue of Lucky. The leather skirt from Cushnie et Ochs and linen-back leather shell from Derek Lam are accessorized with a goldtone double chain bracelet, which naturally is a repetitive design, from FantasyJewelryBox.com. The sandals are from Vince Camuto and the clutch from Kate Spade New York.
Going back to September 2011, here’s a look from Real Simple magazine that terms pleats “the most wearable trend right now.” I highlight this fashion spread because of the beautiful coordination of the pleats with the bracelet pictured, an origami-inspired gold-plated cuff of repeating elements from Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel.
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