Awards show season is just six months away, and we’re betting Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Rachel Zoe are already taking note. Below, the designers and trends we expect to make a grand appearance at this year’s Oscars, Grammys, and Globes, plus the spate of premieres and benefits in between.
1. LONG SLEEVE EVENING GOWNS

Leighton Meester, Angelina Jolie, and Annette Bening wore long sleeves to the Golden Globes in January, but I think Kate Middleton‘s choice to cover her arms on her royal wedding day is what sparked designers’ recent embrace of long-sleeved glamour as evidenced on the couture runways, and in these looks by Elie Saab (left), Stephane Rolland (center), and Valentino (right).
2. TUXEDO-INSPIRED EVENING LOOKS

If fall 2009 was the season of the coat, fall 2011 into spring 2012 seems to be honing in on the tuxedo jacket/blazer for men and woman. Case in point: this belted Stephane Rolland cape-sleeved jacket (left) and this bow detail tuxedo top by Zuhair Murad (right)
3. THE TRENCH COAT GOWN

Think of the evening-length trench as the coat dress’s super-glam sister and expect to see it at a premiere on the likes of Rihanna and Transformers‘ star Rosie Huntington-Whitely. Even if you don’t have a red carpet appearance to make, you should totally get an evening-length coat to rock this fall. We’ve got some luxe long coats on Bluefly that will keep you haute all fall/winter long.
4. EVENING DRESSES WITH POCKETS

Evening dresses don’t usually come with pockets, forcing the fashionista to cart a clutch (even as she tries to keep her mind off her toe-numbing shoes). While we love our clutches as much as Kate Middleton does, the prospect of leaving the bag at home and having our ID and lip gloss in the pockets of this Georges Hobeika couture gown is positively dreamy.
5. DRESSES WITH VOLUME

For the past few seasons, designers have focused on body-conscious silhouettes, but at a few couture shows, volume made a cameo. We loved this particular puff sleeve incarnation by Alexandre Vauthier and we’re expecting it to move back into a starring role in the seasons to come.
More…
>SHOP: Summer 2011 on Bluefly — Cynthia Steffe, Leifsdottir, & more!
>2011 Met Ball: SJP, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alicia Keys, Iman, & Andy Cohen Pay Tribute to McQueen
>Get inspired by Giuliana Rancic’s amazing shoe collection
>The Royal Wedding: Kate Middleton Wore McQueen; is Now a Duchess.
[photos courtesy of WWD]