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.

Although working consistently since The Smiths called it quits more than 20 years ago, guitarist Johnny Marr has flown under the radar. Despite doing three Electronic albums with New Order’s Bernard Sumner, touring with his own band, and playing on a few Pet Shop Boys records, Marr will mostly likely always be associated with singer Morrissey. Musical endeavors aside, however, Marr made news recently for designing sunglasses for Ray-Ban. Bringing back yet another classic style, Ray-Ban collaborated with the guitarist to re-launch Signets.

While the designer sunglasses brand is bringing back a full line, Marr has his own limited edition pair. With a clubmaster-like style, Marr’s limited edition Signets are characterized by a thin metallic frame and mirrored blue lenses.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Marr told the magazine: “How many people get to design their own sunglasses, you know what I mean?” He then said: “I got to take my pick. I didn’t really have it as an ambition – it’s something that just came along.”

Unlike the countless other actors and musicians that start clothing or accessory lines, Marr never designed before. For Ray-Ban, he is the first musician to design a new pair of classic shades. To tell the difference between standard Signets and Marr’s style, the limited edition frames have the guitarist’s signature by the temple.

In 2008, Ray Ban brought back their Clubmaster shades, which were introduced in the 1980s. Combining angular and curved lines, Clubmasters have a half-rim style and, like many Ray Ban sunglasses, are available in several colors. Signets, on the other hand, merge Clubmaster and aviator aesthetics to create a metal-framed design of a sleek horn rimmed-like top with rounded lenses. For those that find the colored frames of wayfarers and Clubmasters too tacky, the Signet has the same style but in subdued form.

What pop star isn’t branching out into fashion these days? Lady Gaga has been interning to design hats, Rihanna is now the face for Armani, Jessica Simpson has a fashion line far more successful than her music career, and “Tik Tok” singer Ke$ha is getting into watches. While a modest choice for someone with such flamboyant fashion tastes, Ke$ha’s watches will retain her style, from animal print to glitter and rhinestones.

In an interview with People, the Animal singer said: “Even though it’s a tiny surface area, I think I’ve done a good job packing in tons of signature K Monay swagger.”

As far as specific designs are concerned, one mentioned is an American flag-inspired print. Why something so patriotic? Ke$ha said: “I chose that theme because for me, the flag represents freedom of speech, a right I exercise every day.”

Leopard print, one more reminiscent of her style, is another look. About this one, the explained: “[It's] a theme I have in my look often. It reminds me we are all animals inside, and I wanted this watch to do the same.”

Far more designs are expected, and in advertisements, Ke$ha has been pictured sporting eight of the watches. As far as wearing them is concerned, Ke$ha seems to take the watch-as-jewelry approach: layer them or wear them on other body parts. Should we expect to see watch arm bands or anklets from Ke$ha in the future?

Maybe not. But, as the singer mentioned in her interview, she has been designing clothing since she was a child and has input in the props, sets, and instruments in her stage shows. With a career move like that of any other celebrity, Ke$ha told People: “I’m definitely plotting my next design moves. Stay tuned! Look for animal-friendly organic jewelry and fake fur.”

To stay relevant, watches for women are now being designed like jewelry, or have a celebrity name like Ke$ha or Jessica Simpson attached. Would you wear watches designed by the “We R Who We R” singer?

The clothing takes center stage at Fashion Week, and the accessories play a distant second fiddle. Nevertheless, without fine-tuned observation of the handbags, sunglasses, jewelry, or shoes accompanying the rest of the garments, how are you supposed to know what to wear for the upcoming season? Designer sunglasses styles for spring 2012 have gradually been rolled out since the spring 2011 Fashion Week, and more came out during the last series on shows in September. So, if you’re looking to get up to date with the latest eyewear, what’s in – and what’s out – for men and women?

It’s all about the colors for this upcoming spring. The colored frames of your Ray Ban wayfarers are no longer sufficient. Rather, designers like Fendi and Anna Sui take it a step further and just color the full pair with a solid shade; red, purple, and gold appear to be the most popular colors for women. In the case of Fendi, the colored sunglasses are rimless and transparent. For other designers like Dolce and Gabbana, the frames are solid colored plastic.

Men’s sunglasses, while likely not red or purple, don’t fall far out of the realm of this trend. Expect to find some shades in gold, and if you still own a pair of colored plastic framed aviators, hold on to them.

On the same note, metallic looks are in for both sexes. Although mirrored lenses were a trend for men over the past summer, they’ve now extended to women. Metallic sunglasses for both sexes, on the other hand, won’t just stick with silver or blue; rather, gold too is predicted to be popular. If the mirrored look doesn’t suit your tastes, gradient lenses are making a comeback.

As far as shapes are concerned, the more angular, the better. But, oversized sunglasses are still on the fashion radar for women – just as long as the rims are round. A hybrid style – angular with rounded edges – is too ambivalent, and for a pair, go with either a round or fully angular design – whichever fits your face shape. Or, a cat eye pair has the right amount of angles and curves for women – a straight slant on top and a rounded swooped line on the bottom.

New York Fashion Week 2011 just passed, and while the clothing was, obviously, the main attraction, many designers provided previews of their spring 2012 handbag collections. Although handbags have not changed drastically since last year, designers appear to be going for more texture and are loving angular-shaped purses. If you’re still holding onto that hobo from 2009, realize it’s time to put it at the back of your closet.

What types of trends will you see for the next year? Based on what we saw from the fall Fashion Week 2011 collections, this may include:

• Clutches, some no bigger than eyeglasses cases.
• Bright colors. Think neon orange or hot pink – but definitely not together. If you need to go bright and bold, have a handbag in a single shade.
• Satchel styles, which are practical for nearly any environment: the office, casually walking, dressing up, or going out.
• Zippers may be more prominent. Expect some to go across the body of the bag.
• Texture. Instead of a passerby saying, “Hey, that’s a cute handbag. Where did you get it?”, expect some to ask, “Hey, that’s a cute handbag. Can I touch it?” Designers went all out with texture, from low-key velvet or snakeskin to more prominent feathers, studs, or frayed material. Bottega Veneta appeared to weave many of its bags and then take them apart, making them look like highly-sophisticated and boldly-colored ripped jeans.
• Tailored looks. In addition to zippers, stitches along the edges are more visible, as if to say, “See? This bag was sewn by hand!”
• Angles and cubes. It’s safe to say that the shapeless trend of two years ago is over. Most designers now give their bags rigid angular shapes. Marc by Marc Jacobs even has cube-shaped purses.

Where do you draw the line between “designer inspired” and simply a “knockoff”? As long as knockoff handbags, and products in general, have been on the market, the dividing line has clearly been imitation, from the design down to the nameplate. But, what if the imitating product has some strong similarities but no nameplate? What do you call it then?

Designer Monica Botkier calls it a straight-up knockoff. Last week, she wrote a blog post accusing the Kardashian sisters’ new collection for Sears, the Kardashian Kollection, of copying one of her handbag designs, the Botkier Clyde. In her post, Botkier wrote, “We were one of 50 designers supporting the effort to stop design piracy and knock-offs. Ironically we just discovered below how our Botkier ‘Clyde’ was simply copied by Kardashian Kollection for Sears. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery but we don’t think so…”

If you compare the two handbags, seen above, the only difference appears to be the leopard print. Both bags have the same shape, diagonal zippers, and side pouches. At the same time, the Kardashian sisters, in a statement, claim these similarities are just a coincidence and accuse Botkier of copying Balenciaga:

Jupi is nevertheless investigating the matter, as we take this issue seriously. In any event, it is our understanding that the Kardashian Kollection bag in question has not yet been offered for general sale. Nor is it available for sale online. Pending our investigation of the matter, we have undertaken appropriate preventative measures regarding the handbag.

The Kardashian Kollection handbag was independently created. Jupi was surprised to hear of the complaints by Botkier since Jupi is aware of preexisting handbag designs bearing substantial style similarities to the 2009 Botkier Clyde handbag, dating back to 2005. Jupi was also surprised by Botkier’s statements in the media about purported “knock offs” of Botkier handbags in light of other comments in the media noting the similarity of Botkier bags to preexisting Balenciaga bags.

What do you think? Do you think these similarities are a coincidence? Should the Kardashian Kollection bag be considered “designer inspired” or a knockoff? And, is the fact that Botkier possibly copied Balenciaga even relevant in this instance?