So I'm a bit late on my New York Fashion Week coverage, I blame England and the flu. But at least the time has given me a chance to really study the collections for y'all.

I found the palettes to be exciting, so much colour, print and texture, which by the time Spring comes around I'm sure we'll be gagging for with the hard colours of this season. Noticeable trends, were pastels, depression era, 40's utility wear & make do and mend, ditsy floral prints and tribal prints. Exciting!

Above are my top ten favourite looks from my top ten favourite collections.

1) Oscar de la Renta put together some classically styled looks, great colour, great florals, extremely girly and flirty looks with a great vintage edge. I adored the felt bowler hats in a multitude of colours. Drama was thrown in the formal gowns and black lace veils.

2) Good old Betsey Johnson stayed true to her girlish Eighties vibe with some juicy colours and amazing florals. Fabulous headpieces and I adore the ditsy floral prints.

3) Nanette Lepore worked the girly florals with a utility/safari look, working the bright colours, florals and tribal motifs with sand and khaki coloured jackets and cargo pants.

4) Allude walked some dancewear inspired, pastel basics down the runway. I adore the sugary sweetness, that doesn't go overboard thanks to the slightly muted palette and basic cuts and lines which give a gentle nod to a bygone era.

5) Rachel Comey was one of my faves, the perfect combination of girly and utility, a modern take on the utility wear of the late 30's and 40's. Perfect for Summer in Los Angeles. Easy to wear, chic, pretty but relaxed.

6) Proenza Schoeler worked the 80's rockstar vibe for another season. A yellow and green palette, almost tie dye print gave the collection an interesting reptilian/tribal vibe.

7) Isaac Mizrahi toned down the colour but upped the drama, with muted pastels and neutrals, with glamourous touches, the show had a DIY feel, which was classy and not overdone. It felt, to me, maybe just in the context of the other shows, a subtle wink to the make do and mend era, depression through wartime. I adored the boater…which I'm quite sure was made of either cardboard or brown paper, but it was amazing.

8) I LOVE the vintage styling of the Peter Som show. Candy colours, girly prints and a wonderful mix of textured seperates, and a beautiful way to work the layers. I love the high waisted bell shaped skirts, long cardigans and jackets, and the youthful take on the classic (Chanel-esque) boucle jacket.

9) Sigh. Ralph Lauren. Classic Americana at it's best, a throwback to wartime American beautys with a spalsh of depression era styling, I completely adore this look and it's one that I cannot wait to wear, flirty floral forties style dresses – check, 30's style, menswear flat cap – check. I'm excited to wear this, it's suits my personal style to a t. Don't you love it when that happens?!

10) Anna Sui – what a show. Fabulous collection with an exciting mix of prints annd textures. The show had more of jungle circus feel with so much personality and humour. The models were smiling and happy, the masquerade masks fit in nicely with the looks. Again colour and print is going to be huge!

So I did save the best till last…. Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ready to Wear was a dream of a collection. So bright and playful! School girls plaids, circus dots and candy girl stripes and some fabulous colourful tribal prints. What an amazing mix, I loved the high waists, pretty skirts, cuffed pants and FABULOUS bows!

As a side note: the shorts in the bottom right hand corner. Well… using this pattern from Burda Style and  some specially sought out blue with white polkadots fabric AND red buttons, I had Brittan whip me up a pair months and months ago. How's THAT for being ahead of a trend…seriously they're the identikit version. Feeling very pleased with myself!

To see any of the pictures bigger just click!

By Kelsi Smith.

(photos via Getty Images)