Florals sprouted on many runways as well. But while dresses dominated this trend, designers didn't stop there. Many designers splashed florals on skinny pants and roomier jumpsuits and overalls. How many women will actually wear brightly colored floral pants is another issue. But with so many designers offering versions of the look, it seems inevitable that this trend will end up in stores at every price point.

Prabal Gurung's collection, which was an exciting blend of the exotic and erotic, included an opal, floral-print silk and wool pants with ankle zippers, and another pair of pants in wool crepe with floral guipure-lace graphic inserts. Douglas Hannant's fun and funky new Pink line included a hot-pink, floral-print jacquard capri pant with a matching blazer.

Diane von Furstenberg, queen of the pattern, contributed to the riot of color with her always vibrant prints. This time the series included one pattern with large green flowers punctuated with purple.

Neutrals certainly made their presence known, with most designers utilizing a variation of tan or white.  

In a nod perhaps to last winter's popular film Black Swan, many designers presented at least one ballerina-esque dress -- fitted bodice and a short, slightly bell-shaped skirt. B. Michael did his in black edged with black embroidery. Tracy Reese did her ballerina interpretation in greige with a big bow at the waist. Prabal Gurung did his in a white ombre filigree cloque with a drop waist.

Designers also toyed with creative ways to reveal flashes of other colors or bare skin. Chado Ralph Rucci incorporated bands and panels of plastic. Gurung teased with thin layers of tulle. Rachel Roy was one of several designers to employ an open-weave knit. Sheer white blouses were also popular.

Shape will play a big role for next spring. Free and easy shapes dominated throughout, with many designers, like BCBG and Elie Tahari, presenting dresses with wispy skirts, sleeves or attached drapes that floated in the breeze as the models walked down the runway. Unlike the caftans from a couple of seasons ago, these are more fitted constructions.

That sense of freedom also carried over to pants. Indeed, for every skinny jean, there seemed to be a slouch pant offered as an alternative -- as if designers were offering customers the fashion version of an olive branch, or just another reason to feel good about themselves. Rachel Roy's version of this trend was particularly effective -- slouchy without being sloppy.

While most of the emphasis this time around was on sportswear -- always a hallmark of American fashion -- several designers turned out unabashed celebrations of red carpet glamour. Here, the look was fitted, sleek and dazzling. Standouts in this category included Pamella Roland's gunmetal-gray sequined gown, a series of fully beaded gowns from Farah Angsana -- who has returned to her trademark modulated elegance -- and extravagantly beaded gowns in burnished gold from Reem Acra.

Karyn D. Collins is a contributor to The Root.

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