Our annual roundup of the top ten trends that we loved (and hated) in 2011.

Over the course of a year we covered numerous trends here at EcoSalon. Looking back, there are the few timeless fashion moments that we still love and will keep loving in 2012, but also some questionable looks that we pray disappear when the clock strikes midnight on New Years Eve. Here are our top ten picks of the fashion trends we loved (and hated) in 2011.

Bottega Veneta, Haider Ackermann, Jil Sander

Color
Red, orange, fuschia, Kelly green, neon yellow… 2011 was a veritable explosion of color, not just when it comes to clothes but on your nails too. To carry this trend through to next year, keep the colors, just make sure they’re slightly more muted. Think jewel tones and you can’t go wrong with any shade of red.

Dolce & Gabbana, Celine, Alexander Wang

Dressing like a Dude
Why do women feel the need every few years to go back into our boyfriend or father’s closets and steal their everyday clothes? Perhaps we feel more masculine and tough in a man-sized suit? Regardless of the reason, we like the look, especially if you bring the feminine into it by pairing your men’s suit with feminine accessories. And, best of all, you don’t have to buy anything new. Just think Celine or Dolce & Gabbana while raiding your man’s closet.

Valentino, Burberry Prorsum, MiuMiu

Dressing like your Grandmother
(If your grandmother was Joan from Mad Men, that is.) 40s fashion is back in a big way and we love how the tailored look makes us feel so sophisticated. 20s fashion with its clean lines and sassy attitude is also making a comeback, which we hope also lasts into next year. Channel old-school elegance in vintage stores for this trend.

Pucci, Gucci, Louis Vuitton

Dressing like your Mother
Just like last year, we are still having a love affair with the 70s and all that it brings in the way of fashion – bell-bottom flares, maxi dresses, fringe, patchwork, crochet, lady-like blouses, tailored pants and suits and jewel-box colors. Seems like this free-spirited decade makes a comeback in fashion every, well, decade. And that’s fine by us. Keep it coming, 70s.

Stella McCartney, Burberry Prorsum, Diane von Furstenberg

Spots, Stripes & Checks
Classic patterns truly made a comeback this year. Stella McCartney put a fresh spin on polka dots with her semi-sheer black dresses, Burberry put their classic check pattern on the outside of coats and Diane von Furstenberg adorned her signature figure-flattering dresses with large-scale patterns. If done well, this trend is a good way to put a spin on a simple outfit. But, be careful not to overdo it as you may end up looking like a table cloth or sofa cushion.

Sensible Shoes
We’ve suffered through winters in shoes that do nothing to warm our feet for too long. Thankfully, warm and fuzzy boots made a strong comeback this year. So did flats, in the form of oxfords, brogues, loafers, riding boots, slippers and other attitude-enhancing footwear. Your feet will thank you for giving them a break from 4-inch heels and slipping them into something more comfortable. We truly hope this trend never goes away.

Sportmax, Jil Sander, Hernandez Cornet

Sporty
Suddenly, baseball caps were everywhere, in the most unexpected places like front row at an international fashion week. So were sporty backpacks paired with high-fashion items, (not gym clothes). The same went for scuba fabric, varsity jackets, ski-sweaters, stripes and functional detailing. We still love this trend since it – with some clever planning – enables us to buy clothes that can double as gym wear and evening wear.

Fendi, Burberry Prorsum, Valentino

Egregious Use of Fur
It seems those “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” statements that advertisers used in the 90s was trumped. Fur was all over the runways, on everything and in all the colors of the rainbow. Do we really want to look like we strapped a fox carcass dipped in beet juice around ourselves? I think not. And those roadkill-tails people strap to their handbags? Please just make it stop.

Crop Tops
Only an underweight teenager could pull this trend off successfully. For the other 99% of us, this trend is just kind of insulting. Next year, be a lady and make sure your shirt covers your bellybutton. This same statement applies to seriously low-cut jeans (not even Britney Spears wears them anymore) and the underwear-as-pants trend (just because Gaga does it doesn’t mean you should).

Lady Gaga Shoes
There is only one Lady Gaga, and even she trips and falls on those crazy creations that should not even be allowed to be called footwear. For all the fashion bloggers out there, I heard the fashion police is planning a recall of your Jeffrey Campbell Litas, especially the ones with American flags on them. It may be time to for you to move on and find some other way to feel authentic.

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