This year sees a diverse variety of trends when it comes to dressing up-to-the-moment. However, not all of these trends convert easily from the runway to the high street.
When it comes to following women's fashion trends it is important not to blindly follow fashion but to select styles and cuts carefully that are easy and flattering to wear. Many designs this year tend to favor the younger set but it is possible for more mature women to work the look, by taking a few tips on what to wear, in order to avoid that most heinous of crimes of fashion, mutton–dressed-as-lamb.
Animal Prints
Before you go wild on this season’s leopard, tiger or zebra prints, remember the subtle approach is best. Ease into the trend with a pair of shoes, belt or floppy hat for a classy rather than tarty look. Another way to “do” an animal print is to wear it on your arm. When wearing animal print accessories, be careful to make sure that your outfit is not too busy. If you are the wrong side of twenty-five, leave the all-out leopard coats and dresses for the younger set!
Bikini-Jeans
The brainwave of designer Sandra Tanimura of the clothing company Sanna the bikini jean is a cross between a bikini bottom and a pair of denims. Designed for women who require ultra-low-rise jeans, these hip-hugging jeans are held up by a ribbon tied at the side or elasticated G-String and leave little to the imagination. Only the young, slender and very brave can get away with this look, others risk looking tarty.
Checks and Plaids
Cooler than tartan and not as twee as stars, plaids and checks are big and bold this season but be careful not to resemble a picnic blanket. From tops to tea dresses, whether it’s Gucci, Balenciaga or Prada, this summer and fall checks are hip. Wear them as a statement piece, oversized with black or dark denim. They also look great with patent shoes. If you feel you resemble more of a lumberjack than a fashionista, then go for Burberry’s minimalist checks, teamed with soft, neutral tones. Make the look edgy rather than preppy and whatever you do, avoid teaming them with a pleated skirt!
Jodphurs
We can thank designers like Hermes, Ralph Lauren and Luelle Barton for putting this back on the runways this year. Fall 2008 looks set for a big Jodhpur revival, with a full on equestrian look. For those with slender pins and toned thighs, there are skin tight stretch numbers which hug the hips closely. The more traditional ballooning, calf-skimming style, work well on women with curves, providing the behind is a good fit. Wear them with a crisp white shirt or an elegantly styled hacking jacket.
Jumpsuits and Playsuits
The Jumpsuits this season are a mixed blessing. For many they evoke memories of the ‘70s with zipper flying suits and nasty nylon.
These season sees them soft and slouchy (satin and silk) and elegant and elongating, to be with sky-high heels or fashionable gladiators. Whilst most ages can wear this glamorous, look leave the cool cotton playsuits in fun florals and polka dots (played down with pumps) for those young enough not to remember them first time round! Stella McCartney and Max Mara both have some fun and flirty designs. Whilst jumpsuits are easy to throw on and solve the problem of what to wear on your top-half, says Karen Kay of the Daily Mail (28th April 2008), “you'll need a waistline if you want to avoid comparisons to a sack of potatoes.”
Other tricky summer trends to try include ruffles and Ombre dip-dye, man-style dressing, full flow skirts and sexy sheer transparent fabrics..
