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Whether horizontal, vertical, thin, thick, black and white or in living colour, stripes make a graphic statement, day or night. And while we cant think of a time when stripes weren’t in, they are certainly back in a big way for Spring 2013.

The stripes trend was at its strongest in New York during fashion week, where it dominated two very different runways. Marc Jacobs paraded models in 1960s-inspired looks that included horizontal, vertical and zigzag patterns in simple shades of black, white and oxblood. From a simple striped white T-shirt worn over not much else, to the head-to-toe sequined striped gown, Jacobs’ created jailbait, jailhouse and high society appeal all in one show.

Michael Kors gave stripes his slick signature with a brighter, sportier take, using emerald green, red, navy and yellow to cover crewneck sweaters, drop waist dresses, and a standout two-toned bathing suit.

The European runways were showing stripes some love for Spring 2013 too. At Dior, Raf Simons added his signature modern touch to formal dressing, with pink and black satin stripes sewn in angles to create an asymmetrical hemline. At Dolce & Gabbana’s crafty ode to ’50s era Italian countryside, stripes stood out as a palette cleanser.