Fall Fashion Future: Paris Fashion Week’s Top 5 Trends for 2012

Stores may be just stocking up on this year’s spring fashions, but for those following the industry latest, fall fashion is looking mighty fantastic. Paris Fashion Week ended just a few days ago, leaving behind a smorgasbord of styles to choose from. As always, some looks fell totally flat, but I know I can’t wait to see the rest trickle down into my price range. Here are the top 5 trends I’d like to see in stores come fall:

Live in (Leather) Color

Colored leather isn’t exactly newfangled, but designers breathed life back into this fall fashion trend by going head-to-toe. Cacharel turned pastel leather looks sweet by pairing them with tights and girlish heels, while Valentino went sophisticated with a detailed lace look.

Just Jackets

I’m not the biggest fan of cropped jackets, but Paris Fall Fashion Week’s boldly-structured, highly-detailed statement coats sure have me thinking twice. Carven’s complex cut-out crops and Paul & Joe’s slouchy, comfortable styles would look stunning over any pair of jeans.

Fur-For-All

Whether you’d wear it real or can’t even take the fake versions, fur sure does make a statement. Kanye West and Givenchy worked some unusual pieces into their futuristic stylings, such as wide fur sleeves and long, fluffy capes.

Mad Women

Menswear-inspired suits are nothing new, but this season’s looks paired bold colors, busy patterns, lace and vintage inspiration with exquisite tailoring. Oh, to be a tall woman this year.

Take Me To Your Leader

Looking at the slick, structural styles that dotted the 2012 fall fashion runway, the futuristic dreams of the 1990s are clearly up for a revival. I’ll take the black leather, metallic knits and modern lines of Yves St. Laurent and Givenchy with Junya Watanabe’s sculptural hair, but some of that Star Trek: The Next Generation-era loungewear can stay in Paris, thanks.

What’s your take? Did the Paris trends whet your appetite for fall styles?