Key wardrobe items for women this spring 2011: superfine knits, minimalist maxis, striped bags...

A November 2010 trend forecast by Trendstop.com brings you an early prediction of the key pieces expected to influence women's wardrobes come spring 2011. From extreme footwear to novelty biker jackets, here are the top pieces you should snap up now to ensure you'll be fashionista-worthy in the new year.

Novelty Biker Jackets: Classic biker jackets will be huge come spring, replacing the bevy of shearling aviator bombers that were everywhere this past A/W 2010 season. While Moschino and Balmain stuck with conventional leather styles, updating them with a few modern details like zippers, studs, and safety pins, Burberry Prorsum presented a stylish snakeskin number while John Richmond threw convention out the window and showed a sleeveless number in a surprising shade of bold forest green.

Superfine Knits: Knits have always served as a practical seasonal transition piece and next season, you can expect to see tons of super-fine knits in sensual silhouettes. Preppy styles were abound at Clements Riberio while Jil Sander juxtaposed sheer and knit, simultaneously concealing and revealing models' torsos.

Minimalist Tanks: Minimalism has been a key trend in fashion ever since the start of the global recession. The aesthetic won't be going anywhere next spring, as designers continue to put out pieces with clean lines. Expect to see form-fitting tanks in soft leathers and buttery shades with simple necklines and little embellishment that will serve as easy yet stylish separates.

Minimalist Maxis: The maxi dress will be a huge fashion piece next season given both its versatility and comfort factor. Jil Sander and Sonia Rykiel showed maxi dresses that functioned as both day and evening-wear in bright sherbet hues while CNC Costume National showed an anonymous, voluminous shirt dress.

Bloomer Shorts: Expect to see these retro babies in stores everywhere for spring. Bloomers, with their loose fit and exaggerated hips, convey a youthful non-chalance and will be the silhouette of the season. Shorts were shown in gingham, stripes, and white crochet. At Thakoon, they were paired with chic linen blazers.

Striped Bags: Contrasting loud wide stripes, both kitschy and nautical, will be found on a number of accessories for spring from clutches to over-sized totes. These statement pieces were shown on the runways for Moschino Cheap and Chic, Prada, Jil Sander, Proenza Schouler, Sonia Rykiel and Fendi.

Extreme Wedges: Summer sandals will be fashioned with extreme wedge heels next season. Fendi channeled the Seventies with their wood veneer and satin combinations, while Anne Valerie Hash and Barbara Bui showed elegant, neutral numbers, and Charles Anastase revealed a bold pair with exotic ostrich-skin detailing.

Wooden Heels: Like extreme wedges and minimalist maxis, wooden heels constitute another key trend for spring that gives a nod to the Seventies. Chunky wooden heels offset by neutral leather uppers or natural canvas uppers can be expected among the shoe offerings. Everyone from Donna Karan to Marni to Matthew Williamson showed variations of the 70s-era strappy wooden heeled shoes.

Source: Trendstop.com

(Launched in 2001, the London-based Trendstop.com is a leading online trend forecasting and analysis service with a focus on color trends, fabric trends, street fashion trends, runway trends, and fast fashion trends.)