Whether it’s a Parisienne-inspired wardrobe, 1940s elegance, serious shoulders, sparkly sequins, country classic tweed and houndstooth checks, this fall’s offes soemthing for every age group. Designers have a number of decades covered from the forties to the eighties, along with traditional men’s fabrics, given a feminine twist.
Country Classic Trend
Country classic meets-contemporary with this season’s oversized graphic houndstooth checks and the perennial fashion favorite tweeds and plaid. Traditional men’s fabrics are back, representing a country classic look, but they have been reworked and into sexy cuts (shift dresses, sleeveless jackets and quirky suits) and feminine accessories.
Alexander McQueen is key in representing the most theatrical elements of this trend with outrageously-styles houndstooth skirt suit. Vivienne Westwood, Michael Kors, Moschino, DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld and Burberry embrace this trend whilst John Rocha weaves some classic fabrics into luxe, quirky pieces. Find salt-and-pepper-gray marl too, providing a more urban look, in tailored made suits for the city. Team a tweed or houndstooth skirt with a flimsy feminine top and pair this season’s men’s fabrics with sexy courts.
The ‘80s Trend
It was only a matter of time before the inevitable return to the ‘80s.For women were too young to remember the ‘80s looks the first time round then its time to revist the ’80s. Think neon brights, sequins and lamé and serious shoulders, the ultimate in power dressing.
Channel Krystal Carrington (Dynasty) in sculpted-shouldered suits or have a Kylie moment with lashings of lycra and sequins that shimmer on jackets, jumpsuits and dresses. This Dynasty-meets-disco trend is one that rules the fall runways including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Balmain, and a Marc by Marc Jacobs outrageously colorful collection which pays homage to the disco-diva of the 1980s.
Razor-sharp shoulders (originally inspired by Balmain) cut a serious swathe when it come to power dressing and slashed at the knee skirts (remember them?) are back with that sexy secretary look. One-shouldered lamé dresses and pelpum waists in neon satins (pink and blue) provide a flamboyant Krystal Carrington cocktailwear look of the moment. Thigh-high boots and ‘80s-inspired platforms also rock the runways, with the over-the-knee boots fast becoming the must-have footwear of the season.
The ’40s Trend
A return to 1940s elegance in this nostalgic era of oh-so-feminine shapes. Channel and Dolce and Gabbana take the lead with their pre-war designs influenced by Elsa Schiaparelli. Black makes a strong color statement, adding a more sober influence, but also find dramatic red, with a touch of Parisienne elegance.
Lanvin, Dior and Prada showcase belted fitted skirt suits with dramatic necklines and just-below the knee hems and luxurious brocade gives a very ‘40s couture feel. Structured day coats and elbow-length leather gloves channel some extra glamour, along with silk slips, fur stoles and feathered headpieces. Feminine dressing at its finest.
French Lady Trend
Think smart French cuts and black and white Parisienne chic. A sexy pencil skirt and stylish sharp white blouse say left-bank leanings whilst extravagant fur and gold brocade gowns with couture-like ruffles create a very bourgeois feel. Breton stripes in cashmere and French-blue draped satin represent some of the colors and fabrics for this Francophile bent. From Balmain and Lanvin to Dolce and Gabbana and Chanel, designers channeled French film heroines of the past such as Bardot, and Deneuve. and honed in on YSL fashion muses of the ‘70s and ‘80s, like Loulou de la Falaise, also a model for Schiaparelli.
There’s also a cheeky side to this Parisienne trend with lacy lingerie-like tops (bunny ears from Louis Vuitton) and outfits fringed with lace and velvet. Add a chain-strap bag and deco accessories for instant glamour.
Whatever the taste, there is a wealth of trends to covet this Fall Winter 2009, balancing bold creativity with classics, providing some of the most wearable collections in a long long time.