Top Trends for Spring 2014
New York Fashion Week has come and gone, fall has yet begun, and yet I already know what I am planning to wear next spring. Although you might want to call this fashion magic, natch! it’s hand-picking from the front lines, the fringe benefits of studying up and doing my homework.
While there are some trends that can be challenging, who wears crop-tops besides 20 year olds?, New York will lay down the groundwork for what’s to come down the pipes from London, now Milan, and Paris. Of note in my book are low-slung Bermuda shorts, sheer paneling, flats (hurrah!), basket weaving, florals, red and yellow and lavender, and deep V-necks.
Yes, there were plenty of recycled trends and undernourished ideas from seasons past, (can we be done with 90’s grunge please) but let’s be honest and take a look at some new ones that have manifested towards next season.
The takeaway? There is lot to be said for keeping it compelling as well as wearable, a very challenging task.
Here are some of my favorite trends worth saving my pennies up for the next six months.
Palazzo pants slash cropped culottes. These by Proenza Schouler. Three-quarter length hems might be tough to wear, but these look like paints rollers went nuts all over the fabric adding a cool artsy vibe. With all the elegance of a ball skirt and all the comfort of sweatpants, the culotte is going to be your go-to pant next year. Even the vertically challenged can test these waters.
Slip dresses. Narciso Rodriguez totally played with proportions this season graduating the sublime slip dresses to knee-length. They were simple yet divine. Layering your hemlines is a big trend now and come spring will be even bigger.
Sheer paneling. From Calvin Klein, where Francisco Costa is celebrating his 10-year milestone, I expected only simple white but got a few surprises. True to the house’s roots, minimalism has long been the designer’s signature, but although he didn’t exactly play against his cards, he certainly tried a few things that felt new. “Elevated deconstruction” words from the show notes, describes the exposed seams and the bursts of color in the form of hand-woven cotton tweeds. This ivory sheer paneled dress took the cake for me as sheer tops, dresses and midriffs are what spring is all about.
Fringe. There was plenty of fringe of fringe on the runways, quite eager to see how the outcomes will turn out come spring. A gorgeous collection filled with wearable clothes, stripes and fringe wins over at Altuzarra, a hot designer to watch. Menswear fabrics combined with longer hemlines, I love layers that move.
Top-buttoned shirts.In more ways than one you will need to have a toned-down stomach as coats might just have a one-button closure. Leave to the kid fashion genius, Alexander Wang to repurpose the basic trench.
Tennis anyone? Defining urban luxury these short, crisp, tennis-inspired looks were so fresh and clean and this number from Louise Goldin was a hint of some of the fun graphic knits that came dancing down the runway. And check out the lacy socks under the clear sandal. I bet her feet don’t hurt.
Florals. Give the lady what she wants–that is to lunch and stand out in a crowd and Oscar de la Renta surely delivers, Cheerful and bright, if I have some place to attend this spring rather that the tacky show space that is Lincoln Center, I’ll be wearing this. And duh, florals are always in for spring.
There you have it. The journey continues tomorrow on the Fashion Hunter where we explore more details.
On a happy note, let’s end this Hump Day Wednesday with Lady Gaga and applause, applause applause fashion for fashion’s sake.
