Fabric and Color Trends for Spring Summer 2009
From Textured to Silk, Metallic & Sequin to Bold & Make-Up Tones
May 14, 2009
Soft and Silky, strong and structured, textured fabrics with wrinkles, draping and pleats. Skin-tone shades and bold brights. Take your pick of the best trends for 2009 in fabrics and color.
Silky Trend
Soft and silky fabrics rule the runways of Preen and Donna Karan this season with minimalist dressing in nude neutrals like honeydew and blush, and dove grey and oyster. This quiet and airy look is in stark contrast to the season’s bold bright colors and prints favored by designers like Matthew Williamson and Jil Sander. The silky trend found in jumpsuits, dresses, tops, soft pants and shorts spell all the comfort of pajamas. You'll also find silk covered ballet flats, clutches and jewelry, toughened up with chains and buckles.
Wear silky fabrics with an air of simplicity. Don’t over accessorize. InStyle magazine (UK edition), March 2009, recommends shunning pattern for monochrome shapes that graze and give a sense of movement. Take on board a neutral palette when it comes to make-up too. With these delicate fabrics and soft colors, keep lips to nude tones so as not to overpower the look.
Texture Trend
Whether its ruffles, petals, fringing or draping or layering, the modern take on the texture trend is manipulating fabrics in sculptural ways. Shapes are kept classic but tops, tailored skirts and dresses have a softer feel. The folding and layering of fabric with overlaying or uneven ruffles guarantees constant movement, also playing with shadows and light. Even the sensible pencil skirt has had a makeover, softened by layers of laser-cut tulle, embellishments and on-trend ruffles.
The texture trend is also all about wrinkles and crinkles. Skirts, dresses, tops and coats which take on an unironed feel, for some relaxed, downtown chic. This laundered look was led by Prada and Burberry on the Spring 2009 runways in divine crumpled fabrics and wash-out dip-dyed colors.
When wearing highly textured fabrics don’t let your hair and make-up compete. Avoid big hair and leave off any jewelry that may provide a distraction.
Bold Brights and Tonal Trend
Be ultra chic with some go-with-anything tonal dressing, the pairing of similar hued separates for a sleek and classy look. Make-up shades of honey dew and blush are must-haves for the season, in textured soft silky fabrics and plenty of draping and pleats. Wear nude tones with bare legs (ideally tanned) and soft pared-down make-up. Don't go for overpowering accessories, keep the look soft and subtle with rose-gold or silver.
In complete contrast there are the bold brights in larger-than-life hues of daffodil, tangerine, coral, purple and royal blue, worn this season as an all-over head-to-toe, with matching (or neutral) separates and accessories. Take note of the 2-tone color blocks, double blocks of color for a more dramatic look. Go for a shade that complements your skin tone. When wearing a riot of color keep things fuss-free — go for clean, crisp shapes as empitimized by pieces from the structured trend.
Structured Trend
Soft structured fabrics in dresses, skirts and jackets bring back the power dressing of the 80s. For an ultra-modern look then have a heady mix of tough yet feminine, with pleats, draping, origami folds, cocoon skirts and bold shoulders. A dramatically structured little black dress is one of the best investments of the season. Bold bright cocoon skirts provide some summer sunshine and structured jackets get body-con revamp, cinched at the waist to show off those feminine curves.
Metallic and Sequin Trend
The perfect way to add sparkle to a summer outfit is to wear one of this season’s shimmering, shiny fabrics in rich golds, bronzes and copper. From sequined and metallic tops to something a little more adventurous; sequined leggings (Stella McCartney) sequined shift dresses (Thakoon) and sparkling all-in-ones (Yves Saint Laurent). This is not formal glamor but scattered and broken sequins and beads, metallic shine for daywear with a sports-luxe feel.
Keep shoes and other accessories in neutral nudes so as not to compete with the look. For extra style points (and bravery) try showstoppping pieces such as lamé harem pants from Chloe and Ralph Lauren and metallic leather trenchcoats from Vivien Westwood’s Red Label.
With this spring's delicate fabrics which skim rather than cling there is much to appeal to all sizes and figures. When it comes to colors, before investing in this season's bold brights make sure that complements your skin tone. Nude tones look great with a summer tan!
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