The catwalks were full of romance for Spring 2012. From pretty, frothy hues at Louis Vuitton to ultra-feminine shapes at Chanel, dressing up for Valentine’s Day has never been easier. While it’s tempting to reach for your beloved red dress, there’s satisfaction in knowing you can dabble in new ideas. If you’re still deciding what to wear on that special night with your beau, here are the top five fashion trends to give you a head start.

Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2012

Good-enough-to-eat glamour
Ripe fruits and vegetables were in abundance on the runways for spring. Good enough to eat, Dolce & Gabbana’s 1950s-inspired silhouettes were splashed with eggplant, red onions, hot peppers and tomato prints. If you’re keen on fruits, Moschino Cheap & Chic on the other hand, offered up dessert featuring baby doll dresses with strawberry, grape and apple cut outs. A distant relative of hearts and florals, food as prints are about to be a hit once summer arrives. Give yourself a head start by experimenting with this trend for your beau.

Valentino Spring/Summer 2012

Lace love
Almost all designers, including the directional Alexander McQueen, celebrated the return of pretty. Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel served up an elaborate entrée of frills and lace in a palette of whites, pastels, and even black. While at Valentino, Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri created a kaleidoscopic collection of dresses ranging from above the knee to floor grazing. While vintage lace is coveted for its characteristic appeal, a new body-con lace dress is a fitting choice for a Valentine’s Day date.

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2012

Leather vixen
While the lady is making a swift comeback on the runway, the vixen is a long-standing trend. Cushnie et Ochs turn up the heat with body-conscious dresses and plunging necklines. Alexander McQueen’s billowing collection featured leather pieces intricately cut from lace-embroidered stencil. Not as aggressive as the dominatrix, the vixen is assertive and anticipates a night of passion from start to finish. Consider this trend like role-playing: Slip into something out of the ordinary and turn the sex-o-meter up a notch for the night.

More outfit ideas for Valentine’s Day on the next page…

Oscar de la Renta Spring/Summer 2012

Feather play
If you’ve never played with the idea donning feathers, now is a good time to start. Jason Wu toned down his collection of power dresses with a strapless peplum dress decorated in feathers. Oscar de la Renta offered something similar but opted for an all out feather frock in dusty aqua. It had a popular moment on an accessory, but still rare as a full-on look.

Vera Wang Spring/Summer 2012

Sheer luxe
You can’t go wrong with sheer. Vera Wang’s collection came in an assortment of vibrant yellows and violets crafted into sheer floor-length dresses. Haider Ackermann offset his androgynous suits with sweeping sheer mermaid skirts and under tailored, high-sheen blazers. Sheer can be quite risqué, but when pared down solid separate piece (as exemplified at Ackermann), it becomes the epitome of understated cool. If you prefer ultra-feminine silhouettes, a bodice underpinning peeking through will add a sensual flair to your sheer number.

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