by Carrie Eckles

Created on: June 19, 2010

Twelve by Twelve’s “Couture in Bloom” collection is a refreshing sight to the weary eyes of fashionistas, which are usually assaulted by an excess of the overly safe and overly done Boho peasantry fashions this time of year. The collection lives up to its name, featuring chic and edgy floral prints and lace in all the right places; the overall vibe is an elegant answer to the summer heat.

Blouses

The thing that separates Twelve by Twelve from its sister sites in the Forever 21 network is the haute couture details in every piece, making each one a work of art in its own right. “Couture in Bloom” features blouses with utterly feminine details; their Bubble Sleeve Tee is a perfect example: it has a subtle bow on the shoulder of the yoke that brings to mind the petals of a flower, a subtle nod to the collection’s name.

The blouses in this collection feature mainly bubble sleeves and elegantly ruffled lacy sleeves; again, these nuances bring to mind the simplistic beauty of flowers.

Sweaters and Cardigans

Twelve by Twelve never disappoints when it comes to sweaters; stylish and chic interpretations of the old stand-by cardigan are available in droves year round.

The “Couture in Bloom” collection features very bold sweaters, which somehow manage to simultaneously come off demure. Victorian-like floral prints make the pieces, and manage to come off as surprisingly modern, partly due to the flattering, stylish cuts. Ruffles, whether they be part of the main fabric or contrasting black lace also bring to mind an anachronistic aesthetic, which fits well in the modern world when paired with something simple, like black skinny leggings.

Skirts

The skirts of this collection are amazing fun; each gives a nod to flowers in some way, whether it is through their shape, design, or print. The highlight of “Couture in Bloom’s” assortment of skirts is the aptly named Couture Ruffle Skirt. The design is very bold – it could even be termed modern rococo - but it’s also very well done. The skirt looks to be something a young Marie Antoinette would wear, were she alive today. The Couture Ruffle Skirt is especially chic in grey.

Dresses

Each dress in the “Couture in Bloom” collection involves nature in some way. The overall theme is, of course, floral, but the Vintage Vineyard Dress is particularly charming for its slight deviation from the flower theme. Instead of flowers, the dress has a large grape cluster print, featuring red, purple, and white grapes, with green vines winding their way all around. Even though the dress is bold, the overall look still manages to be subtle. The pale green background and the olive trim tie the colors together, and peplum shape is tailored; the combined result is a clean, yet feminine design.

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