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Spring 2008 Fashion Styles: Top
Twelve Trends |
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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 like
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 individual men and women
who wish to update their fashion and professional 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, sarah@illustraconsulting.com
This article may be reproduced only in it’s entirety, including
the above bio.
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