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.

We’ve mentioned that oversized sunglasses have mutated from overly-feminine, thick, pink-and-sparkles frames to classic thinner models in black, tortoise, or red, but over the past few weeks, another variation on this trend emerged: butterfly sunglasses. Similar in facial coverage as oversized frames, butterfly sunglasses have a triangular appearance that fans out from the middle. Unlike their oversized counterparts, butterfly frames are often angular, which is often a friendlier shape for those with round faces.

Early in December, perpetual party girl Paris Hilton was spotted in Tom Ford butterfly sunglasses. Despite the fact that the heiress essentially made oversized frames trendy early in the aughts, she goes for a classic look here, with what appears to be black angular frames with gradient brown lenses.

Khloe Kardashian, another reality TV celeb, was seen with a similar pair of Tom Ford butterfly sunglasses. While Khloe is often considered the least attractive yet the most logical out of the older Kardashian sisters, her choice of butterfly sunglasses shows she knows her fashion. The geometric style – which is supposedly in for this upcoming spring – flatters her face shape.

Jennifer Lopez, who has seen her music career get back on track over the past year, was also spotted in a similar pair of Tom Ford butterfly sunglasses. Like Paris and Khloe, J. Lo’s use of them is casual, although the classic look is ideal for nearly any occasion.

Tom Ford, at least amongst the stars, seems to be the brand of choice for butterfly sunglasses, and the high-end brand has at least three options: Calgary Butte, which has a rounded shape, and FT0175 and Nico, both of which are more geometric. Although high-end, Tom Ford isn’t known for bright colors and glitter, so all sunglasses under the brand stick with a palette of black, brown, tortoise, or Havana, with solid or gradient lenses.

Last week, color experts Pantone declared orange the “it” color for 2012. While an odd choice, Pantone bases their results on a survey of retailers, asking about the most sought-after colors. For the upcoming year, orange – well, specifically Tangerine Tango – is the most requested.

Orange is a considerable contrast from last year, when the official “it” shade was nude — or, as Pantone referenced it from its catalog of 2,100 colors, “honeysuckle.” Yet, with this night-and-day contrast over 12 months, is it possible to incorporate orange into your wardrobe?

Tangerine Tango, a reddish shade of orange, begs to be seen and, because of its boldness, inevitably becomes the center of your outfit. As a result, only go with one orange piece, be it a jacket, handbag, sunglasses, or accessory. While some designers trotted out full orange suits, such as Marc Jacobs, at the most recent Fashion Week, such designs only work on the runway. In practical application, orange should be paired with a contrasting but non-clashing shade: white, blue, or black, preferably. Red or yellow is visually jarring when paired with yellow, while green or purple ends up resembling a Halloween costume color scheme.

Aside from clothing, orange is still prevalent in makeup and accessories. For the former, orange has already been spotted as lipstick, but make sure to keep the rest of the face neutral – and back off from tanning. Otherwise, your lips and skin may end up being the same shade. Handbag-wise, some designers went for fully orange, while others incorporated it with other colors. Because of its boldness, orange makes a handbag stand out, and a solid color will definitely make a statement. Color-blocking with two or more colors is additionally in style, and pairing orange with swaths of blue, white, or black ends up toning down its intensity.

While no stranger to eyewear, luxury women’s line Carven is introducing a line of sunglasses. A brand worn by fashion icons Alexa Chung and Emma Watson, Carven hasn’t included sunglasses in its line for nearly 30 years, but at the recent Paris Fashion Week, several models were seen wearing the new styles.

Carven was reinvigorated by Givenchy designer Guillaume Henry, and sunglasses appear to be one change for the line. While the designs can be seen online, they won’t be available until spring 2012. Retro styles have been in for sunglasses over the past few years, and Carven’s new frames are no exception. Based on the glamour of Paris in the 1950s, Carven offers classic looks in tortoise, and more eye-catching styles in bold and bright colors are included. For the latter, the frame may be a solid or translucent plastic.

As far as the design is concerned, Carven’s new style – only one look seems to be available for now – mirrors the clubmaster frame offered by Ray Ban. There’s only one notable difference – a lack of angles. While Ray Ban clubmasters are a half-frame style with a plastic horn rim on top and rounded lenses, Carven’s eschews the angular look for a rounded top. For a specific touch, all sunglasses by Carven will have wood or metal accents, as well as a subtle “C” to note the brand.

Compared to Carven’s older sunglasses from the ‘50s to the ‘80s, the newer designs are far bolder. Older styles stuck with a classic pallet of black and tortoise with gradient lenses, no matter if the frame was a wayfarer, oversized, or cat eye. Although a fairly high price tag is attached ($165 to $235), Carven’s sunglasses are expected to be the “it” luxury look for next year.

Although the price tag can be a turnoff for some, would you wear a pair of sunglasses similar to Carven’s new styles? Or, would you stick with the retro and classic look of a pair of Ray Ban Clubmasters?

Classic sunglasses styles are nearly always neutral. The black-on-black Ray Bans or Carerra aviators could look just as good on a man as they do on a woman. Yet, with such classic styles becoming the norm, what can a woman do to be in style but still have a feminine edge? Cat eye sunglasses seem to be the answer.

Now part of several designers’ lines, cat eye sunglasses have grown in popularity over the past year and several celebrities have been spotted in them. Aesthetically, cat eye shades merge the angular and curved qualities of 1980s wayfarers with ‘50s sunglasses. The result is a frame that is swooped on top and curved on the bottom.

At the same time, though, cat eye sunglasses don’t have a unified form. Some pairs are all swoops and curves, without a single sharp angle in site. Others, in emulating wayfarers, go for an angled top half and rounded bottom. A few even are exclusively angular. Additionally, cat eye shades can be on the smaller site, hinting at the ‘50s influence, while others are nearly oversized.

Sticking with the neutral theme, cat eye sunglasses often come in a palette of black, tortoise, or white. Gradient lenses add some variation.

If such a style appeals to you, which type of cat eye sunglasses fits your face best? Because the geometric look is predicted to be in for 2012, expect more angular styles, which are ideal for those with round faces. Cat eye frames that are all curves, on the other hand, smooth out a visage characterized by a square jaw, high cheek bones, or sharp lines. As far as the hybrid type of frames is concerned, they are a better match for someone with an oval-shaped or angular face.

Although the unstable economy has not dented sales for luxury brands, celebrities appear to be staying away from frivolous and opulent-appearing goods. Price tags aside, modest and practical handbags and classic sunglasses are the latest accessories spotted on stars. Designers might have experimented with bright colors and textures and opted for smaller sizes at the latest Fashion Week, but if celebrities’ tastes are any indication, classic handbags, like the satchel and the tote bag, made an appearance this spring and have stayed around ever since.

The satchel, for the moment, seems to be the “it” bag – and practicality appears to take precedence over any ostentatious display. Essentially a hybrid between a standard purse and a larger tote, the satchel has all the style the hobo didn’t. Staid enough for the day and stylish enough for night, the satchel is the all-purpose handbag.

A few celebrities have been spotted carrying satchels. Jessica Simpson, with a Celine Triptyque Satchel, is one. Because the pop star-turned-fashion designer doesn’t need to worry about going into an office every day, her satchel is covered in tasteful leopard print — eye-catching but not too gaudy.

R&B singer Ciara, matching her pants with her handbag, was spotted with a Givenchy Antigona Satchel. Even with crocodile print, Ciara’s satchel appears more practical than in-your-face. Unlike the Olsen twin’s glazed crocodile backpack, the “Goodies” singer’s bag is fashionable but not over the top.

Actress Claire Danes also carried an animal print-like satchel, the Reed Krakoff Gym Bag. On close inspection, the satchel has a reptile-like print, but the bag itself does not appear to be made out of actual snakeskin. With “gym bag” in the name, this satchel seems to emphasize its practicality, but its style, again, is eye-catching rather than a Jersey Shore level of tackiness.

Menswear often takes a backseat to women’s fashion. With a limited range of cuts and colors typically, menswear ends up appearing too straightforward and predictable. Occasionally, a pattern, such as paisley or flower print, may be featured more prominently or the cut of a garment may change, but men’s fashion often stays on a straight and narrow path, while women’s clothing veers into new and unchartered territory each season.

For spring 2012, however, menswear has taken a slightly different turn. If you’re a guy who follows fashion and wants to be up with the latest trends, you’ll likely start seeing the following over the next few months:

• Brighter colors. A man has to get out of the blue, white, and black comfort zone and explore other shades. Designers seem to be revisiting the early ‘90s with shades that come dangerously close to neon. While Marc Jacobs in particular seems to be pushing the trend, many others had models walk out in pants the color of highlighter. If yellow’s too strong for your tastes, neon orange, lime green, aquamarine, red, purple, and cobalt are other options for practically every garment – even your good suit.

• Plaid. This isn’t your grunger’s pattern. Think more ‘80s preppy than ‘90s slacker. And, it’s on everything, from pants to blazers.

• The blazer. It’s the “it” apparel for men for this coming spring. Although both single- and double-breasted styles can be found, the former is ideal for casual wear. For every guy’s style, the blazer can be neutral (black or gray), a bright or bold shade, or patterned. Make sure, however, that the blazer isn’t the same color as your pants or shorts.

• The baseball jacket. Spring 2012 is the time to be the high school varsity player you never were. Expected to be a popular item, a baseball jacket can be difficult for an adult to pull off. Go too youthful with your attire, and you’ll end up embodying the mid- or quarter-life crisis.