Ombré Dip Dye Trend Summer 2008
Elegant Women's Fashion in Ombré Dresses, Tops, Skirts and Bags
The Ombré trend is definitely one of the most sophisticated of the season, in contrast to its younger sister, the Tie-Dye.
This season, gorgeous ombré dresses lit up the spring and summer runways and are now making their way to the stores in the form of glorious Grecian gowns, mini dresses, tops, full-flow skirts, scarves and even shoes and bags.
What is Ombré?
Ombré is a French word which means “shading”. It is very specific in pattern, and is also termed as color- bleeding, as color bleeds form dark to light or light to dark. Usually this involves using shades from the same color family, but not necessarily.
This gradual merging of shades (or color bleeding) is both elegant and feminine. Unlike the hippier, tie-dye, there is a much smoother transition between colors. The color bleeding can be used to create a dramatic look or soft, depending on the graduated strength of the dye effect. This can be translated into a simple scarf, clutch or handbag (like the Prada Vernice Sfumata Small Hobo Purse) if you don’t care for a full on effect.
Celebrity Ombré Looks
Celebrities like Scarlett Johansson are embracing the European ombré trend in her Louis Vuitton purple ombré cocktail dress. Reese Witherspoon, Angelina Jolie, and Kristen Bell are also oozing ombré, stateside.
Sophisticated Ombré
The ombré technique was relatively popular in the 1970s with Boho skirts, T-shirts and trenchcoats. But in 2008, ombré dip-dye has grown-up, lending itself beautifully to some of the goddess gowns of the season. Designers like Alexander McQueen, Alberta Ferreti, Chloe, Badgley Mischka, and Diane Von Furstenberg have embraced the trend with not only in dresses but skirts, scarves and blouses, too.
Part of the allure of the ombré dress is its versatility. It is sophisticated enough to take you from brunch to bar or beach to barbecue. Much of the ombré fashion is based in light fabrics form mystical and luxuriant satins, silks and chiffons. These gorgeous fabrics lend them selves to simply cut garments; the more basic the cut and the less the material used; the better the result.
However a new twist on the trend is J.Mendel’s ombréd fur, part of his Spring 2008 collection. You can even ombré your bedroom with dip-dye bedlinen.
Washing and Laundry Tips for Ombré
When washing ombré garments, make sure they are washed separately, otherwise it is possible that colors may continue to bleed.
Ombré dip-dye is set to be one of the most popular looks of the season, it is more sophisticated that the tie-dye look ,and is likely to appeal to a wider age group of women. Given its versatility, this is a trend which is getting hotter by the moment, according to Shop Til U Drop magazine, April 2008.
