fall 2010

The fashion schedule is always ahead, and sometimes this drives me crazy. Right now I am ready to think about what to wear for this coming fall season, but the runways are showing spring 2011. Which means, in order to go back and remember what was even popular for the next few months, I have to go back in my files about two seasons. But no matter - it is now time to start thinking about the fall season, for this year currently happening, so - what was popular? Here are a few of my favorite looks from the fall 2010 RTW shows, and how they will play into the trends this year.

J Mendel

Fur is going to be very big for fall, and the greatest news is that faux fur made a big debut down the runway as well. Since layering is key this fall, a fur vest is a perfect way to transition a summery dress into the cooler months.

Collette Dinnigan

Fancy elegance with a touch of modernized Baroque also showed its face on the runway this season. Shimmering gold dresses, silver foil fabrics, embellishments, and anything that screamed luxe was seen in abundance. Collette Dinnigan (one of my absolute favorite designers) handled this trend very well - after a season of everyone else doing beige, she gave us just enough decadence without going over the top. Looks like we are making our way out of the bad economy ... or at least, we could fool people into thinking so.

Chloé

The menswear touch is still going strong this season, but updated in the new it-neutral: camel. In more minimalistic, clean pieces, camel brings a soft femininity into wide-legged trousers, pantsuits, long wool coats, and floaty blouses. And because of its ability to stand by any color, camel is extremely versatile as a neutral hue. The photo on the left is one of my favorites from this season - maybe I will try to recreate these pants in the future.

Those above are just the trends I am most looking forward to for fall - but don't dismiss a few newer, more difficult trends as well: head-to-toe dressing in one color (or various shades of that color - and no, I'm not talking black), floor-length skirts for day wear, and our first peek into the resurgence of the 1950s (leopard, bustiers, little cardigans with belts). The 50s is going to be huge for spring 2011, so that trend is just beginning.