If you have a cursory interest in recent trends you can't have escaped the ruffle mania that overtook skirts, tops and dresses on the women near you.RUFFLE MANIAIF YOU have a cursory interest in recent trends you can't have escaped the ruffle mania that overtook skirts, tops and dresses on the women near you. The most popular variant came in diagonal or asymmetric form. Cherry-printed slip dresses were spiced up with slanted ruffle detail; ruffles livened up pencil skirts and blouses, and feathered the edges of stripy trousers.BIG, BOLD COLOURIf you've found the recent affectation for simpering pastels a little dry, then be encouraged by the proliferation of sharp, bright, unapologetically bold colours which have been cheering up the schedule. Look for vibrant yellows, rose pinks and tangerine satin ensembles. Proenza Schouler showed Mondrian block-striped knit dresses with feathered hems worn with hefty platforms; and red-and-black striped Bar jackets over handkerchief-hem silk dresses.CORSETS. YES, REALLYIt's been a while since the corset enjoyed any kind of limelight, but the plucky little body constrictor is mounting a comeback. This time it means business, literally. Forget the provocative cone-shaped thrustiness of Madonna's early '90s corsets. The new generation is gently moulded and politely intentioned - it may even have ambitions to work as an alternative jacket. The idea is to wear corsets over shirts or sweaters, or to feminise otherwise androgynous oversized slouchiness.HAUTE HOODIESHoods weren't only attached to tunics and waterproofs but also to dresses. Is this a cry of pain against ubiquitous video cameras, an attempt to out-hood Kanye West, a practical rebuff to the weather or a styling tic that could get irritating? All of the above, but we'd still love one of those hoodie dresses on bad hair days. - ©The Daily Telegraph..