Why Real Women Should Care About Fashion Week

Take note non-believers: there really is reason for you to care what happened at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. In fact, there are 8 trends that we saw on the runways that are great news for normal bodies. We know bunches of you don't believe this. We know because we've had the same conversation about 100 times since we got back from the tents, about whether Fashion Week's relevant for those who won't ever be strapping themselves into a pair of Louboutins and donning a Lela Rose original (although Lela Rose does have another PayLess line planned!). So we've decided to short-hand this and explain in print (er...pixels?) once and for all just why you should care.

If you've seen the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" you may remember the scene in which Meryl Streep's character, the ice-queen editor, dresses down Anne Hathaway's character, her naive assistant, for dismissing the importance of fashion. The color of Hathaway's blue/green sweater, Streep explains, may seem random to her, but in fact was influenced by designers' collections of years past. Our point's a little more clear; what the designers show on the runways in September will help decide what you find on the racks come April.

And the news from the front lines of fashion is good for real women. Instead of being filled with looks that would make mere mortals look ridiculous (though, we'll be honest, there were some of those), this season's shows were packed with details, hems and colors that will delight and flatter come spring. Here, RedPlum's catalogued the six runway trends we spotted that will have real women looking wonderful at winter's end.

Florals: We saw it briefly last year, but next spring florals are in full bloom once again. This feminine detail was blown up and splashed across everything from blouses to evening gowns in the collections. Pamella Roland, for instance, made florals look fantastic whether they were subtly crafted in soft blue watercolors on jackets, or boldly painted in bright hues of orange against a fitted white gown.

Good News Because: The big prints favored by designers look incredible on larger bodies, helping to camoflage flaws. Plus they're just gorgeous.

Pleats: Come spring designers will prove that pleats don't have to be stuffy or strictly for school girls. Subtle pleats dominated styles from designers such as Omnialou and Tadashi, who incorporated this crisp look into everything from dresses to skirts to tops. As the models stomped down the runway, you couldn't help up notice the unexpected yet eye-catching folds on playful bubble skirts and strapless dresses.

Good News Because: While the pleated waters must be carefully navigated for those who aren't sized double zero, on the right piece they're hugely figure flattering.

Filmy fabrics: A common theme across almost every Fashion Week runway was that sheer equals sexy. Designers such as Tadashi crafted classic styles like sleeveless blouses and plunging v-necks in vibrant, sheer fabrics that seemed to melt off the models as they walked down the runway. Omnialou chose to drape her models in transparent dream-like dresses and billowing bright yellow tunics.

Good News Because: Many of the cuts we saw on the catwalk resulted in filmy fabric held tight against flat tummies and protruding hip bones. But if you've got neither, you'll still be loving the garments the trend inspires. In a more freely tailored piece floaty fabrics can smooth out your rough patches without creating excess volume where you don't need it.

Gray for spring: Next spring gray is the new...well, gray! The color dominated both the makeup and fashion world this fall, but hold on to your favorite pieces-because come spring gray is back and more smoking than ever. The fabrics have transitioned from thick knit wools to breezy satin and silk, making this cool hue wearable for spring-and resembled metallic liquid as it breezed down the catwalk. If you're already wearing the the smokey shade then you're already heading in the right direction.

Good News Because: First, you can wear many of the lighter weight gray pieces you're buying now all the way into next season and still look on-trend. But if that doesn't move you, know this: gray's the perfect neutral for spring because it conceals and flatters like black, without looking wintry.

"Finished" hems: From the catwalk at Vivienne Tam to the runway at Abaete, designers couldn't get enough of adding a little something extra to the hemline of swingy skirts. Some popped the hem with a band of color, others frayed the fabric, and some of our favorite looks included a change in texture at the hem, the use of multi-layered skirts that are tiered at the bottom, and a bit of a near-the-knee ruffle. Anna Sui, Erin Fetherston, Cynthia Steffe and Rock & Republic all got in on the act.

Good News Because: Added detail on a knee- or calf-length, A-line skirt adds movement to your shape and makes almost every body look better.

High-waisted pants: We hesitate to actually call these waists high, as many of the pencil pants and fitted capris we saw on the runway were actually closer to the model's natural waist than the super-low rise pants we've been seeing for several seasons. Designers like Zac Posen and Iodice showed pants that sit at the indent above the belly button, rather than below.

Good News Because: Despite recent trends, not every woman should wear a low waist! If you've got big hips, you'll want to avoid the gathered or very high waisted versions of these higher-sitting pants, but for those lacking in the curves department (or without a derriere to speak of!) this style can be perfection.

Collarless tops: Nanette Lepore, Max Azria and countless others offered a nod to a clean line on the shoulder. The long necks of models normally seem irresistible to designers who can't help but climb fabric up to the chin, forgetting that not all women have the necks of giraffes! But at this round of shows we saw plenty of scoop neck, portrait necklines and all other manner of flattering, neck-elongating shapes.

Good News Because: For most women high collars and bulky necks serve only to make you look stocky. Increasing the amount of skin that shows between your chin and the top of your shirt or jacket (within reason, ladies...) gives you a longer, leaner look.

Joining the fight against one-piece rompers: If none of these reasons has you buying into Fashion Week's impact on your everyday life, we've got one more. We need your help now evangelizing the dangers and just plain wrong-ness of one trend barreling towards us this spring. Designers we normally love like Betsey Johnson and Miss Sixty took leave of their senses and sent models down the runway in one-piece shorts rompers the likes of which have rarely been seen on adult women. Whether they were in khaki canvas or silver satin (really?) they couldn't have been less likely to grace our bods.

Good News Because: You can start bracing yourself now for seeing these on the street, and be sure not to let your friends near the things.