Style mavens may have spring fever, but designers already have a shoe in for fall. Fall fashion will be a mixed bag of demure suits, flared ’50s skirts, gorgeous party dresses and duds for die-hard club kids who party on no matter what the political climate dictates.
On the whole, runway looks at New York’s Fashion Week last month were prim, not sexy–an urbane June Cleaver, if you will–with a penchant for tweeds, furs, suits and satin frocks.
Happily, spring’s romantic vibe carried over with jewel-toned colors and skirts with a pronounced flounce. What you’ll get are wearable and pretty clothes–perfect for work and play.
Jet-set ladies
Michael Kors pays homage to the “paparazzi prince and princess” with a collection for your inner jet-setter, including rich leathers, mink ponchos, shawl shirts, luxed-up western fringe and inimitable knits.
Narciso Rodriguez’s constructed corset tops and billowing chiffon skirts define the modern lady luxe.
Tweed
Designers Chado Ralph Rucci, Behnaz and Tuleh, among others, take cues from ’50s screen sirens such as Grace Kelly and Marlene Dietrich. Tweed appears in pencil skirts, tailored suits and funky boys-style vests.
Old Hollywood
Designers pile on the glamor with silken gowns, high-waisted tuxedo pants and gorgeous suits reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s flawless studio publicity shots.
Club kids gone wild
Some designers just love the nightlife. From ruffled leather miniskirts and electric blue dresses from Esteban Cortezar to Baby Phat’s mini, mini- tunics, these clothes are for the lady who wants to flaunt it day and night.
Fur
Sorry, PETA: Fall brings fur muffs, jackets with fur trim, mink ponchos, fur brocade collars and fur wraps on everything from spring-like chiffons to jeans. BCBG paired chub jackets with chiffon; Bill Blass showed fur muffs; and Nicole Miller put fur shrugs over striped blazers. Other fur looks include shrugs from J Mendel and Behnaz.
Fifties fever
It’s all about prom-like outfits from designers such as Marc Jacobs and Cynthia Rowley. Trends include to-the-knee flared skirts, nubby cardigan sets, jeweled sweaters, nipped jackets, prim sweetheart necklines, flouncy, pleated dresses and bows, bows, bows.
Romance
There is something to be said for a wearable pretty dress. And fall will have tons of satin jewel-toned dresses resplendent with sequins, bows, ruffles and fur trim from J Mendel, Monique Lhuillier and other designers.
Is there life on Mars?
Designers toyed with space-age duds like spangled bodysuits, flesh-toned unitards and other ensembles perfect for interplanetary travel.
———-
Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com)
