2012 proved a prolific year for fashion, as many new and ground breaking trends hit the heights of the high street fashion market. With the New Year now well under way, 2012 looks set to match the high standards set by its predecessor and we’ve set out to take a look at what’s likely to be on offer.

In terms of dresses UK fashion seems to be leading the way forward in terms of the European market as a whole, with British brands like Warehouse providing the steadiest influx of creative new designs (click the link to see their latest range). A key look for Spring is likely to be the striped, sailor inspired dress which is great news for those who like to indulge in fun new fashion styles that are also comfortable and wearable. A dress such as Warehouse’s Stripe Zip Cuff Dress (pictured) can be styled just as easily with Converse trainers in the daytime as it could with stiletto heels come nightfall. An excellent, all-year-round buy.

The UK market is also leading the way in terms of patterns and print designs. Known in the rest of the fashion world for our kooky sense of style, a printed dress is an easy way to rock a classic dresses UK look, but steer clear of the paisleys and tea-dress prints on the market this season and instead go for bolder, bigger and brighter patterns. Choose a colour scheme flattering to your complexion and you are sure to get heads turning in your direction.

One, particularly striking modern look for 2012 comes in the form of the piped detail dress. This is a look that fits in with the new wave towards sportswear inspired fashion in the run up to theLondon 2012 Olympics in July. Utilitarian colours like grey and black are given a dash of brightness with sporty trims in neon colours like yellow, green and pink. Choose your colours carefully on this one and be sure to play down your accessories, but if you like to work a cutting edge kind of look then this is sure to be the one for you.