As Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week wraps up, I’m here to highlight some of the prominent trends you can expect for spring 2011. Get ahead of the curve and check it out:

MEN

Layering:

Robert Geller

Plentiful, flowing layers are a fresh look for spring 2011. Think shirts layered with lightweight vests, jackets, scarves etc.

Contrasting Prints:

Duckie Brown

You don’t necessarily need to go as wild as Duckie Brown did with it, but try something new by pairing contrasting prints and fabrics. Avoid the overdone matchy-matchy look.

Colored Bottoms:

Michael Bastian

Pastel-colored denim, chinos and shorts are on fire this spring.  To avoid looking clownish, it’s best to pair these with low-key tops and shoes in khaki, black, white—you get the picture. And cuffing the pant legs is still the way to go.

Sheer Fabrics:

Duckie Brown

This may be a tough one to pull off, but sheer tees and shirts were seen all over men’s runways. Perhaps this look would be best worn with layers.

Relaxed Fits:

Rag & Bone

Oversize button-down shirts, flowing lightweight knits, slouchy suits—menswear is getting some of that effortless cool back in its system.

WOMEN

Bell Bottoms:

Derek Lam

The 70s are in full effect for this season and along with this groovy decade comes one of its most popular looks—the bell bottom. They look best when paired high heels and shirts that sit at the waist or are tucked in.

The “Fancy Pajama Pant”:

Rodarte

I spotted many of these loose-fitting pants at various fashion shows, mostly in cotton fabric. Many of them are cut like harem pants with prints that make them look like luxurious pjs.

Peek-A-Boo Looks:

Proenza Schouler

Women should feel free to show some skin this spring, but in a tasteful manner with “peek-a-boo” looks, like the one above by Proenza Schouler. Let that sexy lingerie show through a sheer dress.

Lightweight Fabrics:

Narciso Rodriguez

As with menswear, lightweight billowy fabrics are being shown in a very relaxed manner by designers. With white being huge for spring 2011, these provide for airy, natural looks in dresses, suits, blouses, pants and more.

High-Waisted Bottoms:

Line

Canadian label, Line, displayed multiple high-waist leather pants and shorts throughout their spring fashion show. My favorite part are the roomy ruffled tops on these bottoms, which make them flattering for various body types.

Images: GQ, Style.com, WWD

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