Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks are considered more high art than New York, with top designers rolling out their couture collections. But even with outfits appearing more “art” than wearable, these two early year events still set the stage for spring and summer trends. While we covered the men’s collections last week, women’s wear, both couture and ready-to-wear, was rolled out this week. Although plenty of styles were seen on the runway, nearly all collections scream “retro” in the following ways:

• Mad Men-Inspired. Yes, the cable television show is right on the cusp of its fifth season, and Banana Republic, just about a year ago, created an inspired line. Taking the trends a few steps up, designers from Dior to Gaultier to Chanel all hint at the ‘60s with their latest women’s wear. Pencil skirts are cinched at the waist, crinoline skirts fan out, and Chanel, apparently taking a cue from the recently canceled Pan-Am, previewed a collection of light blue and teal drop-waist dresses. Gaultier even appeared to use the late Amy Winehouse, who frequently alluded to the 1960s with her look and sound, as a muse.

• Barbarella-esque Jumpsuits. Call them rompers or jumpsuits, but, either way, these full-body outfits are no longer reminiscent of children’s clothing. Rather, skin tight and with an accented bustier, such a style is more grown up – but more futuristic than truly mature. A Barbarella remake has been kicked around in Hollywood for years, so perhaps this trend hints that the updated version of the Jane Fonda B-movie will finally hit the big screen. Then again, this trend could fall just as flat as the catsuits inspired by 1998 film The Avengers.

• Defined Shoulders. No, the shoulder pads of the 1980s have not returned. As a modified version of this trend, loose jackets with defined, broad shoulders were worn on top of tighter, shorter outfits or skirts, with Balenciaga draping each model with this combination. Appearing much like a men’s jacket, rather than the waist-accenting style for women, such a look may eventually be dubbed “the boyfriend jacket” – but don’t pair it with your boyfriend jeans from a few seasons ago.

• Bright Colors, Vivid Patterns. Pastels are so passé. Instead, spring and summer women’s wear leans toward vibrancy. Fully-colored yellow, lime, or gold outfits make a bold statement, while tropical-themed floral prints, which characterized the entire Dolce and Gabbana collection, catch the eye through bold shades and intricate composition.

It’s the tail end of Men’s Fashion Week, and we’ve caught several glimpses of the major collections, from Prada to Givenchy to John Galliano. Although these fall/winter 2012 men’s collections won’t surface until months down the line, now’s the perfect heads-up for what – and what not – to wear come September.

• The Dandy Look. Wilde-esque, the overall style for menswear in fall 2012 is fitted: close at the waist, slim down the legs and over the torso, and angular at the shoulders. Combined with the physique-flattering fit are bright colors – many of which we saw in the spring 2012 collections. Solid reds, purples, and orange, all paired with solid black, create an air of distinction and boldness.

• Bomber jackets. Yet another throw-over from past seasons, the bomber jacket is turning into a men’s style staple. With pants and shirts emphasizing a man’s waist, a bomber jacket compliments the outfit with a similar fit.

• Blue by any other Name. What man doesn’t have a few blue shirts or suit jackets in his wardrobe? But, by next year, your standard sky blue and navy aren’t going to cut it. Boldness is the look, and cobalt and teal are the shades to go with it. It’s distinction without going too far beyond boundaries, brightness within your comfort zone.

• Military Style. This isn’t your 1990s camouflage. Beyond subtle epaulets, the cut and color for jackets and pants suggests mid-20th century military style. It’s order and precision merged with overt masculinity. In modern terms, however, it’s more Inglorious Bastards than Saving Private Ryan. Think long jackets with angular shoulders, pea coats, single-breasted jackets, and pants that stay tight around the ankles and flare out at the knees, all in black, olive green, or gray.

• Color blocking. It’s still a necessity and a short-cut for incorporating brighter colors in smaller doses into your wardrobe.

• Patterns and Texture. Beyond the paisley shirt of a few years ago, patterns now cover an entire trench coat. Texture, on the other hand, gives solid-color garments a new dimension. Each trend needs to stand on its own, however. For a pattern, make sure all other garments are solid neutral shades. Texture, such as studs and other jewel-like embellishments, stands out better when not competing with a pattern.

When a pop star develops a brand, why not run with it for the time being? After all, Britney Spears and Mariah Carey have successful perfume lines, Madonna, even with a 30-year career, has a fashion line, Gwen Stefani is now known for her style choices just as much for her No Doubt songs, if not more, and Jessica Simpson earns more through clothing and shoes than music. Nicki Minaj, the rapper behind “Super Bass,” appears to be next. Just profiled in the New York Times, the rapper/pop star (such careers are practically interchangeable these days) had a successful run with makeup brand MAC, has been on popular magazine covers already, and is often seen in the front row at Fashion Week. Now, one of her managers is courting a possible clothing line.

When working with MAC, Minaj came up with a Pink Friday lipstick, named after her debut album. The lipstick sold 3,000 in 15 minutes, and then sold another 27,000 in three weeks. More recently, the Times reported, Minaj is taking over for Lady Gaga as MAC’s Viva Glam spokeswoman. John Dempsey of MAC’s parent company Estee Lauder, said to the press:

“She was fun and cute. […] She’s funny, loves makeup and has a mashup style between Vivienne Westwood and a Harajuku girl.”

So, what do you think Nicki Minaj’s fashion line could look like? Making her own clothing but also sporting some high-end frocks, the rapper already has her own style, sometimes considered out there but always eye-catching. Could her line end up being practical, like Madonna’s Material Girl collection, or could it end up being like any artistic line on the runway – attractive but not practical for wear?

Boldness is back in style, but rather than through busy patterns or metallic hues, fashion is drifting toward eye-popping solid colors. Think red, orange, yellow, aquamarine, and variations on each. In terms of looks on the runway, Fashion Week in September saw designers taking this boldness to an extreme: full orange suits and blazers, pants the color of highlighter, and color blocking. While pairing a bold color with a less intense shade is fashion common sense (otherwise, you’ll end up looking like a neon sign), what do you do about color blocking?

Color blocking surfaced last in the early 1990s. Trends tend to be recycled over 20 years, but in 2012, you don’t want to look like you stepped out of a ’92 Saved by the Bell episode. Essentially, this means staying away from neon and pastel shades. In 2012, color blocking is all about contrasts.

Beyond your ordinary two-color striped patterns, color blocking often incorporates more shades in uneven quantities. Additionally, no rounded edges are used. Instead, think of un-patterned material with angular shapes, each distinct from the next.

For women, color blocking is possible for nearly any wardrobe piece, from the dress to the handbag. The look of color blocking becomes the center of your outfit, so be sure to play down all pieces paired with it. If you want to keep it subtle, perhaps try a two-tone shirt or jacket, or introduce a few more colors. For handbags, it’s all about the multi-colored stripes and arrangement of rectangles. But if you want a look less eye-catching, opt for a handbag in which each part – body, pockets, and handle – is a different solid color.

Color blocking is possible for men, as well. Because bright colors and bold hues are predicted to be in for spring 2012, consider a few shirts or casual jackets with color blocking. But, don’t get too crazy with the colors. Go for contrasts with up to four shades on a garment.