Fashion designers just showed their Spring 2010 collections, and we are going to cover them, but not just yet. Only celebrities and those few close to fashion houses will be able to get spring samples now. The rest of us will have to wait a while. Not very practical, is it?
So right now we want to report on key trends for fall 2009. Those who lack time to do their own homework look no further. We studied lots of magazines and visited enough boutiques to produce this report.
So here it is:
Glamourous 40’s and decadent 80’s are back! Powerful dressing and padded shoulders invented in the 30’s by Elsa Schiaparelli and Adrian made their triumphant comeback.
Strong shoulders became big statement in the 40’s worn by such screen sirens as Katharine Hepburn, Beth Davis, Joan Crawford, and decades later, in the 80’s, Parisian couturiers such as Thiery Mugler, Claude Montana, as well as Dynasty made them extremely fashionable!
However it wouldn’t be fashion without reinvention, reinterpretation, and, of course, inspiration. Contemporary designers put a new spin on glorious fashion moments of the past giving them second chance. Like Balmain’s Christophe Decarnin made strong shoulders softer, more feminine.
Of course, there are plenty of celebrity fans of this trend. Photos on the left show Beyonce Knowles in Balmain and Kim Kardashian stealing Beyonce’s look with less expensive Marley jacket. Yay!
Many designers showed tendency to soften hard edge with drape styling? Everything gets draped this fall, tops, dresses, skirts, pants, accessories and footwear.
Be bold wearing color head to toe this fall, or team it with black, grey or shades of olive and brown. Fall 2009 COLOR palette includes:
- TRENDY is red,
- CHIC are purple, black, grey, beige, mustard, putty, faded orange (think Carolina Herrera).
- FAD (clearly a blast from the 80s) fuchsia, neon greens and pinks.
PRINTS: Go wild this fall! Animal prints are hot again. Tiger, leopard, zebra, you name it. Anything will do as long as it’s wild. Even PETA members can wear animal prints in faux leather, of course. Jackets, coats, cardigans, pants, leggings, skirts, tunics, bags, boots, shoes, scarfs, sunglasses and STOCKINGS are all bearing animal prints this fall.
By the way, graphic prints are hot too.
JACKETS: Biggest news right now is PADDED shoulders! Make your shoulders extreme, strong, exaggerated, raised as if you have tennis balls under there!
There are so many options this fall. You can choose between easy or fitted waistshape, oversized or cropped length, single- or double-breasted style. Rolled up sleeves is a must. You do want to show off that lining you paid extra $$$ for. Oh, and don’t forget those cool crested buttons!
Fall 2009 collections of such iconic fashion houses as Yves Saint Laurent, Balmain, Givenchy, Donna Karan, Lanvin, Stella McCartney have all shown strong shoulders, oversized blazers (aka boyfriend jacket) adding masculine chic to traditional womenswear.
Fall 2009 jacket can be worn with your skinny jeans, leather leggings, shorts, mini skirts or dresses! It’s so versatile you will update your wardrobe instantly with this single item. And don’t forget a tuxedo shawl collar version with a touch of satin for an evening look.
TIP: Wear your favorite summer floral dress with the new jacket, scarf and boots and you are ready for Fall.
COATS & OUTERWEAR: Coats are voluminous and cozy this fall. But they must be perfectly tailored. Think interesting shapes, volume, structure and architecture. This is a continuation of a cocoon shape that’s been around for few seasons.
The way to update your look is to be daring. Purchase a new coat in a bright color, like green, pink or neon colors. Brights look fresh when paired with black or grey pants, skirts or leggings. Michael Kors, by the way, did it best!
Classic P-coat is still going strong, updated with novelty fabric like tweed. Hip or mid-thigh lengths are best.
Your favorite cozy belted wrap coat is great also. It looks more feminine with the volume bishop sleeves.
Motorcycle jackets-made out of traditional leather as well as any other fabric you can think of were all over the Fall 2009 runways. You have to have one if you got a thing for rockers (like Agyness Deyn) or Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Vintage motorcycle jackets are cool too.
Military jackets trend is big this fall getting major boost from Michael Jackson untimely passing away, whose signature style included shrunken military jackets with edwardian details.
By the way, unable to get styles he wanted from menswear collections, Jackson had increasingly turned to Balmain womenswear during last few months of his life.
TIP: Imagine your favorite jacket updated with shoulder pads and military buttons. Is it working?
VESTS: Are still going strong! Wear classic vest under an oversized jacket or exaggerated long sweater vest by itself or over skirts, leather leggings, and jeans.
For more modest look, like Cameron Diaz’s, wear your vest over a tank or a tee.
TOPS & FROCKS: We have one word for you — a corset (see Rihanna on the right)! Anything corset is a must for fall 09. Think bodysuit aka Madonna with cone bra!
Corset, with its feminine boudoir touch will help soften up strong silhouette of a boyfriend blazer.
Another craze happening right now is drape styling for tops. Draped tops are feminine and flattering for every body type. Look like Grecian goddess in an asymmetrical draped top or a draped dress.
TIP: Draping is hot in most items — tops, pants, skirts, boots, bags, dresses, shorts, etc. Don’t overdue it though. Wear one item with draping detail at the time.
Little Black Dress: is one of the key pieces this Fall. It is practical and versatile. It will last you more than one season for sure. Viva Coco Chanel and her timeless LBD masterpiece! Wear it with jackets, cardigans, belts (to show off your waist) and thigh high boots! Anne Heche recently rocked her Catherine Malandrino ruffled LBD at Late Show With David Letterman.
Ruffle details are a key this fall as well. They are extremely versatile. You can wear a ruffle top under a jacket by day, then take off the jacket, add killer heels and rock this look at night!
Other fun stylings this fall (besides ruffles and drapes), include metallic shimmers, sequins and beaded detail adding glamour to your fall wardrobe.
Graphic Tees: Pull out your favorite distressed, oversized t-shirt! In a nutshell, the bigger the print the better. The graphic tee will make your 1980s rock chick look fly. Miley Cyrus rocked this hot fall look earlier this week.
BOTTOMS:
Pants, Jeans & Rompers: Get pleats – more pleats. Perfect Fall 2009 pant, draped, harem or cargo, will have pleats, higher waist, fuller hips, and narrow leg opening at the ankle.
Keep wearing your boyfriend jeans, they’re still hot.
Wear leggings, especially the ones that look like second skin.
Rompers are great. Blake Lively would totally agree with us. Wear a romper made out of fall fabrics such as soft glove leather or flannel. Accessorize it with a belt for a polished, chic look. Check out Yves Saint Laurent’s leather jumpsuit for fall. It’s a killer!
Skirts: Let us say one word — mini, mini, mini! Oops, that makes it three words. Nevertheless, mini skirt is the key silhouette this fall worn under a boyfriend jacket with a pair of thigh high boots. There’s also the draped skirt trend, which will continue into Spring 2010.
Stay tuned for our Fall 2009 footwear and accessories feature…
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