Take a blend of many decades of style, add a dash of old
Hollywood glamour, and you have the magic of the trends for
spring 2008. This season the designers added modern twists to
our favorite classic and timeless pieces. Fashion icons lik
Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, and Princess Diana wore many of
these sophisticated and classic trends: romantic, flirty, and
colorful in design and mood. Here are my top twelve trends for
spring. You may not love all of them, but I encourage you to
select a few to add to your existing wardrobe to look more
modern and fashionable.
1). Crayola Colors
This season the designers have added a
lot of vibrant hues in saturated colors like bright yellow,
grass green, royal blue, red, safety orange and fuchsia. These
bright colors may be hard for everyone to wear. If you want to
experiment with bold colors, start with a bright blouse or
jacket and pair it with a pair of white pants or a skirt, which
will tone it down a bit. When you wear bright colors like these,
keep your accessories simple, so that the color becomes the
focal point.
2). Pattern Punch, Creative Strokes
Floral Dresses, jackets, tops and skirts will come in all sizes of
patterns this
season. The popular prints will have graphic, geometric and
abstract motifs. You will see some beautiful new prints that
look like creative brushstroke patterns off an artist's canvas
in a light whimsical scrawl or a blurred watercolor abstract.
Romantic florals will dominate the season in medium to large
prints. When selecting a print to wear in the professional
business arena, remember to keep it in the small to medium
range, and in a subtle color.
3). The Waist-Defined Dress
Springtime is all about
dresses this year. The two most popular styles, which I adore,
are the shirtdress and the sheath dress; both of which
accentuate the waist area. I love these styles because they work
well in a business casual work environment, and can go from day
to night with a change to dressier accessories. The shirtdress
is a tailored, stylish, and classic silhouette, with a collar
that can be worn turned up a bit, and a button-down front, which
when unbuttoned, can create a great V-neckline. A shirtdress
with a sash or belt can compliment a waistline, or help to
create one that is not prominent enough. This style of dress is
flattering to many different body types. Many sheath dress
styles can be worn without a belt but are shapely to your body
and define a bit of waist. This dress looks professional worn
with a modern or tailored jacket during the day, and worn with a
great purse and clutch handbag for an after-hours event. For
work this style of dress worn with a jacket conveys
professionalism, expertise and feminity for women in business.
4). The Timeless Trench
The classic trench returns in
time for the springtime weather and it is a great wardrobe
essential that every woman needs in her closet. This season you
will see a more modern version of the classic trench coat. The
latest twists are brighter colors, lighter fabrics and shorter
jacket styles, which look great with dress trousers. The
timeless trench takes on a springtime, fresh look with softer
fabrics and fun colors. This is also a great item to pair with
jeans and sandals during those cool spring evenings to look
stylish and chic.
5). The Feminine Blouse
The mood of the season is
romantic and flirty when it comes to blouses. Beautiful soft
blouses in pastels and prints with lots of feminine details like
ruffles, pin tucks and tiny pleats. With the fine detailing on
these blouses, keep jewelry to a minimum. This is a great
must-have for every workingwoman, as this sophisticated and
romantic item can modernize a classic suit and add a womanly
flair to a basic tailored suit.
6). Out of Africa
Safari wear is a great timeless trend
again this season. From the 1970's era, you will see African
safari jackets, khaki shirt dresses, and belted safari pant
suits. In with this trend you'll find great animal prints, like
leopard and giraffe, in dresses and tops. To give this style a
great head to toe look try pairing a safari outfit with some
natural wood accessories and trendy wide strapped sandals with
wooden soles and heels.
7). Full, Flirty Skirts
Skirt silhouettes will be full
and stylish this season like the dirndl, the A-line, pleated
styles and soft flirty skirts with a fuller silhouette. These
styles will be in solid bold colors, color blocked prints,
floral and artistic prints. A soft A-line skirt that gently
drapes over your hip is a flattering style for many women, as it
camouflages large hip areas. Any of these styles worn with a
modern jacket, a twin set or a soft feminine blouse makes for a
winning combination to keep in mind for a business casual
workday.
8). High-Waisted Trousers
This is a hard trend for many
women to accept since we have, for years, had to become
accustomed to the low-rise pant. This trend started last fall
and we are definitely starting to see more dramatic waistbands
rise to new levels. The styles that illustrate this trend are
the sailor pant or wide-legged pant. While this trend may not
work for everyone, if you have a defined waistline, this can
really show off your small waist area. You will look curvy, but
womanly. When you wear a higher-waist pant be sure to balance it
with a form fitting top on your upper torso, making your legs
appear slimmer and longer. If your body type doesn't look great
in this trend - skip it, as there are a lot of pants options
this season.
9). Global Chic
This season the designers traveled the
world and went outside the box to get inspired for new patterns,
shapes and accessories to give that "melting pot" allure to
dressing. You will see a large ethnic influence like apparel
with embroidery or intricate Bali-influenced prints. In jewelry
you will see tribal beads, stones, chunky wooden carved
necklaces and natural wood pieces. When you wear a piece of this
global look, incorporate it with some other pieces in your
wardrobe. Perhaps add a dramatic necklace or bracelet from a
faraway place to finish a look on a safari ensemble, or casual
jean outfit.
10). Shoes - Architectural Heels and Bold Colors
Shoes this season will be very structured with lots of
architectural
details on the heels and artfully designed platforms. The
structured high wooden heels and soles on sandals will look
natural and earthy when worn with dresses and skirts. At the
other end of the spectrum is color. You will see pops of color
in a modern mix of color blocking on shoes like bright pinks and
yellows mixed with black. If you decide to wear some colorful
shoes in vivid colors, let them be the focus and keep the
ensemble simple and elegant.
11). Shades of Gold: Metallic Jewelry
Necklaces, bracelets and earrings this season will be in new
shades of
metallic gold. Rose gold is the new modern gold to wear. If you
are warm in coloring, adding rose gold accessories will make
your current wardrobe more contemporary. This shade of gold
looks beautiful with many of the beautiful neutral colors coming
out this spring and summer.
12). Stacked Bangles and Cuffs
In the bracelet category you will
see cuffs in various metallics, and bold color in Lucite. Stack
up your arm with some fun bangles in different shapes and sizes.
This is a fun item to wear to add some style to a dress or if
you are wearing a short sleeve or sleeveless blouse. Do be
careful if you are in the workplace that you don't overdo it.
Perhaps go for one cuff bracelet so you aren't jingling all over
the office.
I hope that you find at least two to three trends that you are
willing to try to incorporate into your existing wardrobe. If
you add a few of these into your classic-trend ensembles, you
will look stylish and chic for every occasion.
About the Author:
Illustra Image Consulting works with individuals who wish to
update their fashion presence. The company also provides
corporate image services to organizations that wish to enhance
their corporate brand within the marketplace. Illustra Image
Consulting - Perception is Reality! Copyright 2008, Sarah
Hathorn, AICI, Certified Image Consultant 678-528-1239,
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