Spring 2008 Fashion Trends
The Runway Report on Women's Ready-to-Wear Styles for Spring '08
From transparency to tuxedos, togas to disco, and airy frocks to safari wear, spring fashion trends for all over the map, but are united by a common escapist thread.
Bright, Bold Color
Follow the rainbow this season with the trail of cheerful, bright colors that skipped down the runways for spring '08. These optimistic hues are a welcome departure from fall's gothic obsession with all things black. Color-happy fashionistas will dress from head to toe in eye-popping colors like daffodil yellow, vermillion orange, verdant green, hibiscus red, bold fuchsia, wild violet and cobalt blue. Whether you go intense all over or simply go bright with an accent, just look to the crayon box to follow this trend.
Spring Flowers
For spring '08, models became walking bouquets of roses, peonies, and pansies – to name a few. The season itself was the obvious inspiration for this blossoming trend, with designers displaying vibrant illustrations and blurred hothouse motifs in their delightful fashions. Flower lovers will swathe themselves in large, graphic floral prints, while those allergic to the impact of oversized patterns can opt for a quieter take on the flowery trend by choosing summery dresses and silky scarves in mid-sized prints.
Transparent Fashion
Some sheer styles left little to the imagination on the runway, but on the street, women will be wearing designs featuring layer upon layer of translucent textiles, revealing the body with equal doses of subtlety and taste. This trend's filmy fabrics and diaphanous treatments are accentuated by sorbet hues and washed-out tones for a nude-to-neutral palette.
Sprites & Imps Inspire Fashion
Faeries and wood nymphs flitted down the spring/summer 2008 runways adorned in leaves, petals, and even a few wings. To enter this land of enchantment, hunt down this trend's whimsical, feminine frocks whipped up from wisps of light, fluid fabrics and a smattering of delicate sequins. Designers imprinted ethereal creatures and finely attached playful details of foliage, feathers, and flowers to airy frocks, bringing an imaginary realm into the real world.
Greco-Roman Goddess Dress
Fashion lovers got a two-in-one lesson in ancient history and draping as one-shouldered dresses, intricate pleating and creative twists and folds of fabric flowed gracefully down runways for spring. The designers who worshipped this Aphrodite inspired trend showcased many incarnations of toga-style goddess gowns, gladiator skirts, and even (gasp!) harem pants.
Pajama Fashion
Unmentionables made a bold statement for spring as the runways revealed lingerie-like pieces. Looking to a place between dreamland and a sensible wardrobe, designers made underwear part of a woman's outerwear as they flaunted gossamer slips, naughty nighties, satin boxers, silky robes, bras and panties. But what works on the catwalk may get you arrested in real-life, so take only a small touch of the trend by looking for flirty dresses with boudoir details such as bows, ribbons, boning and lace.
Boyfriend Dressing
Gender-bending makes its way into women's daytime fashions with a strong emphasis on the epitome of masculine attire: the suit. For chicks with a rebellious streak, designers played with slick suiting, tuxedo style, smart trousers, boyfriend blazers, tailored vests, and even borrowed-from-the-boys extras like bow ties, boutonnieres, and cummerbunds. Latch on to the softer side of the trend by nabbing a must-have bow tie blouse or tie-top dress.
Metal Disco
Sequins continue their reign of style this season as designers carried forward their infatuation with the razzle-dazzle of metallics. In addition to the trendy, shiny sequin-covered dress, silver, gold, bronze and copper shimmered down runways in futuristic high-tech plastic fabrics, glossy satins, and foil-like lamé.
Global Style
Designers primed your wardrobe for a safari adventure with African field jackets, zebra and leopard prints, khaki, and chunky tribal jewelry. Then they sent you off to the Far East for a taste of Bollywood glam. Global fusion juxtaposes earthy neutrals with brilliant ethnic influences, and makes for an exciting ride. Hop on to this trend by picking up a safari suit and throwing an animal print accessory into your summer wardrobe.
'70s Retro in 2008
High waisted pants, bell-bottoms, leisure suits, platforms, off-the-shoulder tops and retro prints heralded the return of groovy 1970s fashions. Pull out the caftans and slip into your maxi-dress; the long languid lines of the decade will have everyone renting the film Studio 54 and watching reruns of That '70s Show for a lesson in rocking the trend.
