Hey, Facets friends! Holly Dawsey here, a University of South Carolina grad turned New York City freelance fashion and beauty writer. After starting my first internship in the fashion department of FITNESS Magazine a year ago, I was full of shrink-wrapped ambition and determined to make it in this industry. I love sharing my thoughts on the latest tips, tricks and trends with others, so check out my review of J-Crew’s sister brand Madewell’s spring 2012 preview.

Just as expected, it was effortlessly cool. For years the high-style retailer has been filling women’s closets with quality, trendy staples and it didn’t stray far from the pack with this upcoming collection.

Expanding on some of this year’s most popular trends, the collection featured an array of playful stripes and polka-dots from head to toe, also keeping hemlines long with midi- to maxi-length skirts and dresses. Jeans were tailored, pants were cropped and shorts were pleated, while subtle pops of pink, orange, yellow and teal added pizazz to the modern take on classic looks which, of course, were paired with denim and chambray. Oversized knits, straw hats, colorful scarves, skinny belts and cross-bodied bags polished off each look. And on the feet: pointed-toe flats (in every color!), strappy sandals, peep-toe wedges and some seriously amazing two-toned wood wedges and heels.

So yes, if the Madewell spring 2012 collection were a person, it would most likely be a somewhat snobby hipster boarding the L train back to Williamsburg to talk politics with friends at the local cafe after clocking out at their downtown job. They would care about how they looked, but ‘wouldn’t care about how they looked.’ But hey, I’d still be their friend, even if only to borrow their clothes.

Check out some of the collection’s looks above, and look for them in stores in February and March!