Well Rounded

Clockwise from the top: Chanel, Balenciaga, Celine, Jil Sander, Prada, Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent, Victoria Beckham, Rick Owens, Vanessa Bruno (images from style.com and edited by me)

Designers looked into the past spring summer 2012 season and the result was the revival of 1950's curved shoulders. A trend that was made popular by the likes of Dior and Balenciaga at the time was reborn for 2012 being seen in a large handful of shows. 

Seen applied mostly to coats this shape is boxy and structured and mimics 50's couture silhouettes. Dior revolutionized fashion with his "New Look" in the late 40's which saw rounder shapes with modest hem lines and cinched in waists. The look, which at first was given the 'cold shoulder', saw a feminine and tailored silhouette which is something this spring summer season won't be short of.

Looks from Christian Dior's 1947 'New Look' collection and other Dior 1950's clothing and images of Cristobal Balenciaga's clothing from the same time, both designers featuring soft rounded 'cocoon like' shoulders. Images found and edited by me.

Don't feel yourself warming to the trend yet? Don't worry, I have a feeling you'll come around. (had to be done?)

Rounded Shoulders- Decoded: By Kate