Karen Walker Spring 2012: Prints, Peplums and Poise

Karen Walker has softened back up since last season’s Northern England working class-inspired collection, but there was still a borrowed from the boys/working girl vibe to this season, albeit a cuter, quirkier one who does not shy away from prints.

This collection was all about florals–tropical and ’60s flower child-esque daisies—and oversized picnic plaids and stripes. Although Walker was apparently inspired by the 1976 film Taxi Driver, many of the dresses and blouses had 1940s feel. There were peplums and buttoned-up collars. They were wearable and very chic–but not too chic. The silhouettes were loose, the prints off-beat and the hair a little bit messy. Still, they were a bit more ladylike than is typical of Walker, at least that’s how it started.

As the show went on, the menswear-inspired suiting came out (I especially loved the polka dots mixed with stripes seen above), as did more casual options like sundresses, super thin cardigans, shorts and loose-fitting cropped trousers. Then came fun accessories like mini purse necklaces (so cute), floral baseball caps and Walker’s big moneymaker: sunglasses. They were huge, round, sometimes transparent, and all one color, from black to bright pink to neon yellow. In fact, they almost looked like goggles.

While Walker’s signature quirk and off-beat charm was definitely there, so were more refined, formal options than we’re used to and it made for a well-rounded collection with lots of things I wanted. Click through for all the looks!

**All photos: Imaxtree

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