Tough Fashion Trends for Fall Winter 2009
From Masculine Houndstooth Checks to Warrior-like Stud Dresses
Oct 5, 2009
In amongst the season's feminine fashions influenced by the streets of Paris and sharp sexy tailoring of the '40s comes a couple of fall winter trends which, in contrast, provide a toughened, more masculine look.
These come in the shape of menswear-inspired fabrics, leather, tweed and houndstooth, and tough warrior-like studs, zips, chains, buckles, bolts and other hardware which would do Queen Boadicea proud.
Houndstooth and Tweed
One of the most distinctive trends of the season is the reworking of masculine fabrics such as houndstooth/dogtooth and tweed, making this the material of the moment in everything from a simple shift to a clutch purse. Think urban not country and 20-something not 60-something. No longer the domain of the country-set or something hanging in grandmother’s closet, find houndstooth checks in sharply tailored suits and sexy minidresses. The season’s trick is to pair traditional men’s fabrics with soft feminine pieces such as silk or satin, or a sheer sexy fabric.
Thanks to inspiration from the fall runways of Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Christian Lacroix and Karl Lagerfeld, masculine winter fabrics have been refined and restyled into everything from gloves and handbags to shift dresses and hero jackets. Even that most hallowed of footwear designers, Jimmy Choo, offer’s a pair of Donegal Tweed boots, which are proving bestsellers.
High street chains are overrun with houndstooth. This dramatic check in tops, pencil skirts, jackets, suits, mini dresses, belts, scarves, hats and hosiery can be found in oversized classic monochrome or wilder interpretations in the brightest of colors.
Studded Dresses and Biker Jackets
Taking the word embellishment to a whole new level are designers like Balmain, Versace, Lanvin, Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior with their studded dresses and biker jackets. One trend to avoid when traveling through airports (for fear of setting off security scanners) these mean-looking warrior-like outfits are this season’s take on Rock Chic. With a touch of Queen Bodicea and part Barbarella, this heavy hardware adorning everything from dresses and jackets to leggings and killer heels is likely to scare the opposition.
Dip a toe into the heavy hardware trend by toughening up accessories. Choose from studded stilettos and heavily-buckled biker boots to metal-bolted belts and leather bags, studded and zipped, with chunky padlocks and latches. For evening wear, an on-trend metallic studded clutch will toughen up even the most feminine of gowns.
Leather Trend for Fall Winter 2009
Nothing toughens up an outfit more than a touch of luxurious leather. Fall Winter 2009 is no exception, with the on-trend biker jacket as a modern wardrobe staple available in styles to die for (sharp shoulders, sleek tailoring) and butter-soft fabrics in delicate colors. Rock-chic is taken to a whole new level this fall with tough-looking leggings, leather pencil skirts, skin-tight minidresses, and even leather corsetry as outwear (Yves Saint Laurent).
Whether it's investing in a versatile leather biker jacket, giving just a nod to the houndstooth trend, or having a metal moment with a studded shift dress, this fall's fashion is distinctive and desirable, with the reinvention of some tough masculine looks.
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