Fashion for me is always a bright spot that can make me feel a tad bit (or a lot) better even on the gloomiest of days. Well it seems that gloomy is just the right word to describe the atmosphere in Moscow these days as attested not only by what we see on the headlines, but even in what otherwise flamboyant designers decided to put out for this week’s Fashion Week.

The Russian Fashion Week, which we can usually count on to bring exciting and colourful designs instead reflected the mood in Moscow with Autumn/Winter 2012/2013 collections featured by the best designers in the country all echoing a sombre, even austere feel.

Dark and drab colors dominated the runway with blacks, grays, browns, all partnered with the ever neutral white and pale pops of color seen in most designers’ lines. This left color palette complemented simple lines and classic skirts, trousers, and jackets. Although some pieces did pop out with their interesting silhouettes, the colour and the lack of accessories on the models, as well as their pale make up made for an overall severe look.

This is not to say that the creations seen in Russian Fashion Week were boring, contrary to that. In fact, had not the designers’ inspiration been rooted on the troubled political waters of the country, I would have called the collections refreshing. Instead, it would be more apt to call their collections relevant. And who said that relevant means boring? The Russian Fashion Week collections are proof that relevant can still be visually riveting.

Photo via Chicago Tribune

New Year’s resolutions be damned. What I’m interested in right now is getting all ready for Spring 2012.

So is your wardrobe ready for the upcoming spring? Do you know which clothes to toss out and which ones to keep? If you’re still figure out how to do some spring cleaning in your closet even before spring itself arrives, here are some suggestions on some items you might want to keep:

• Keep all light clothing that are predominantly or have more than a hint of the top colors for Spring 2012. WeConnectFashion says that these colors are poppy, geranium, orangeade, canary, grass, tiffany blue, hyacinth, ink, honey, and sandstone. So unless your wardrobe is incredibly monochromatic, you’ll probably be able to keep a lot of key pieces that you can mix and match with newer items.

• Aside from items that are of the above color, you should also Fashionising advices that you keep your wide leg pants, tuxedo jackets, high slit dress, leather harness,and clothes with the 60’s Peter Pan collar. Just make sure that when you do take them out for spring, you pair them up with more spring-friendly items. This means trading your leather boots for sandals, lighter garments (i.e. cotton), and lighter colors (including the top colors for spring 2012).
• Last but not least, don’t toss out everything else just because they won’t do for spring. Remember, what won’t do for spring might be great for next year’s fall/winter fashion. Just store them and take them out for the next season. If you do find that most of the things you put in storage just doesn’t cut it next year, then you can always give them away then.

Photo Credit: Spring Colors 2012 via WeConnectFashion