Dress Styles for Spring Summer 2009
From Bandage to Body Con & Flapper to One-Shoulder Dressing
Feb 14, 2009
Whether it's a show-stopping flapper-fringed little black dress, a figure-hugging bandage dress, a one-shoulder number or simple classic '60s shift; dresses this season are hot hot hot.
Bring on kimono sleeves, slinky fringes and large shoulder ruffles. Grecian gowns are just as glamorous but you’ll find them in shorter, sharper styles too.
When it comes to prints, find dresses in geometric shapes, kaleidoscopic colors and a touch of tribal. There's also a distinclty oriental flavor with Basso & Brooke's Japanese-inspired prints. Colors are bold, bright and fruity. Color blocking is the look du jour, especially with this season’s vibrant oranges and pinks.
Asymmetric Dress
Asymmetric necklines — irregular necklines or single-shoulder dresses are one of the biggest looks, so if you want to instantly update your wardrobe invest in an asymmetrical dress.
A-Line ‘60s Shift Dress
The classic A-line shift dress is flattering for any age group. Find them heavily embellished with jewels on necklines or hems. A chic A-line silhouette is very forgiving when it comes to figure flaws, skimming over the stomach and hips, as in Marc by Marc Jacobs Eyelet shift dress (Saks).
Bandage Dress
The bandage dress is the latest obsession in Hollywood, with celebrities loving the look because of its miracle properties when it comes to figure shaping. Far from creating unsightly tight bulges, because of the way it is made, the bandage dress actually holds in the areas that need to be tamed, and push up the those which need to be highlighted.
Hervé Léger is credited with being the original creator of the bandage dress inthe '80s, but since then many designers have jumped on the bandwagon. These include Christopher Kane, Proenza Schouler, Preen and Thakoon. Kate Winslet looked stunning in a black Hervé Léger bandage dress, at the New York premier of her film The Reader, on December 3rd 2008.
Body Con Dress
The classic ‘50s style body con dress is a key piece for spring 2009, in strong self-colors rather than prints. The feminine hour-glass shape has been given a boost with some origami twists and curves by Roland Mouret, and full-length zips, a trademark of Victoria Beckham’s figure-hugging dresses to show off car-crash curves. Bandage dresses also come under this category.
Flapper Dress
Flirty fringing adorns mini and maxi dresses in true flapper fashion style. Jil Saunder was queen of the Milan runways with her 1920’s inspired fringed designs, her fringed dresses were long and silky in stark black, navy and white, creating a lean silhouette. Sexy flapper dresses also hail from Alexander McQueen, Alberta Ferretti and Elie Saab's Spring 2009 collections.
Grecian Gowns
Grecian goddess gowns get a modern makeover with figure-hugging draping in both long and short styles from Elie Saab, Valentino and Kenzo. A natural progression from the one-shoulder trend, Grecian-inspired dresses come into their own this season.
Kaftan Tunic Dress
Already a firm favorite by the poolside, this season they are worthy as an evening cover-up. This season kimono sleeve dresses morph into kaftan tunics which cover a multitude of sins and embrace the up-and-coming origami look.
One-shoulder Dress
Subtle but sexy, the one-shoulder dress is a key look for spring summer , from grecian-style cocktail dress to simple day dress, short or long. Go for figure flattering draping if you want to hide lumps and bumps and make sure you wear a well-fitting strapless bra.
Prom Dress
Prom dresses get a fairytale look with strapless full ethereal fairy prom skirts for red carpet moments. Romantic gowns with huge ruffles, rosettes, puffed sleeves and sweeping trains came from Nina Ricci, Dolce and Gabbana, Robert Cavalli and Chanel.Short versions have a very classic '50s-style, but skirts are ultra-full often ruffled.
Whether its a fairytale prom dress or a bandage dress, choose your style careful so as to make the most of your figure. Not every one can get away with a body con dress, but a flapper dress or A-line shift can be very figure-friendly. Learn which dress styles flatter certain body shapes.
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