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Coming Up: Fashion Trends For 2007
"For Spring, I was inspired by a strong, sophisticated woman with eclectic individual style and as an exotic, independent spirit".- Ralph Lauren
The designer foresees bold new proportions, the return of the Panama hat as this season's fashion staple, crisp, shirts of any colour (but particularly white), ultra lean pants, and also wide leg trousers as "must-haves".
Hot accessories will be patent handbags and open-toe pumps.
Overall, clothes will be soft desert tones in rich fabrics accented with metallic beadwork.
Daytime looks will blend into evening wear with lean linen shirts, metallic novelty pieces, silver chemise dresses, and antique platinum French lame'
gowns.
"I like the idea of the outwardly traditional with an undercurrent of subversion", stated Anna Sui (renowned for her eccentric and eclectic styles). "For 2007, it's about eighteenth century style updated with a punk attitude... think glitter rock meets Marie Antoinette Swashbuckler.
My colour scheme is based on the essential glam-rock combo of black, white, and red; but also includes navy, violet, juniper, blueberry, aqua, orchid, platinum, and gold".
Carolina Herrera, like Lauren, draws her inspiration from independent, sophisticated women also. "They embrace their lifestyle with effortless chic. For 2007, these women will bring their own style to their wardrobe, ignoring trends, choosing classic
and timeless pieces."
Michael Kors envisions 2007 as bringing back the glamour of Broadway dancers (and legends) Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon.
According to him, the New Year will also consist of seasonless dressing, body-conscious layering, and comfortable jerseys and knitwear. The hot colours will
be skin tones such as nude and suntan, which will play off black and white. Other hot shades will be pale tints of heather, blush, and putty. Waists will be sharply defined. The key footwear will be lace-up shoes, both flat and pump. Oversized or under scale handbags will still be popular.
Streamlined clutches and slouchy satchels will also be favourites. And the "urban movement" (street fashions) will remain hot.
Several fashion industry reports say that overall, these are the trends to watch for in the coming year:
Retro styles with accents of the new (For example, the fashion house of the late Cristobal Balenciaga, plans to recreate the classic styles of
the designer, with ready-to-wear apparel for men and women, shoes, and accessories-with a touch of now.)
The Romantic Look - Upper Class or High Society (but a subtle look, not
the Hip-Hop, "show-off" style)
The influence of African and Muslim countries Bohemian, Folk, and Country Life
Silhouettes (spherical dresses, lots of volume and layers, even egg and balloon shapes in skirts, sleeves, and underwear!)
Earth tones and colours
A natural silhouette (looser, more relaxed, natural designs, even natural body shapes will be "in")
Timeless, ageless, just comfortable clothes (They're ALWAYS "in"!)
Other key fashion trends will be:
- Layering- skinny leggings tights, and sheer over opaque tops; can also be achieved by belts, beads, or extra jewelry. Hats return, especially visor and Oliver Twist-style schoolboy caps. Watch out for big knitted rib beanie-brimmed hats.
- Volume or Oversized- Big sleeves, Balenciaga sleeves, wide-set big collars, fuller balloon and shorter, fuller, bell sleeves, wider pants, swing-backs on little jackets. Bubble dresses are very "in".
- Opulence- Fur trims, Furs (real and fake), baroque brocade, gold metallics, rich fabrics, lavish surface stitching, Napoleonic and costume drama stylings. Red and purple are the hot colours here.
- Dresses- They're back! Short dresses, long tunics, and waist-cinched frocks are "in".
- The Menswear Look- Lean suits with lean narrower trousers, masculine tailoring, wider slouchy trousers and a slim jacket.
- The colour grey- All shades and tones; this shade's used as a monochromatic colour scheme.
- Understated- Tailored smart suits, trouser suits, the "class" or "high society" look. Hot colours here are grey and golden camel. "Must have" items are
elbow-length leather gloves or gauntlet gloves (for three-quarter length sleeves). The key word here is "understated"; no obvious flashing of wealth.
- Military- Napoleonic-styled jackets, greatcoats, and coats with high-stand collars (lots of buttons)
- Urban Warrior- Street styles; Grey and other soft somber shades will be the hot colours. Fur-trimmed, luxury parkas and feather-weight down jackets will be a hot seller. Biker jackets and body-conscious dresses
will also be popular.
- Country- Not cowboy boots and western wear, but rather "out on the country estate" or “foreign village" look. Craftsmen knits, mini-shrugs, and elongated cardigans in luxury yarns will be "in". Cables and Austrian-style knitwear, mixed with fabrics and furs, will also cross over to accessories through hats to bags. Textured knits, tailored tartan tweeds, and the equestrian (horse rider) look will also be hot. Black and white, charcoal/cream/grey mixes, and the colour purple will be IT.
Another and continuing fashion trend are the Harajuku Girls. Who are they? They're Gwen Stefani's backup singer/dancers from Japan. They have an untidy look that's very distinctive and popular. Stefani's accessory brand, Harajuku Lovers, has become a big hit with the younger generation; items such as wallets, totes, and iPod cases are best- sellers.
For accessories overall, hats and gloves are coming back. And so are hoods! The clutch handbag is also back; Exotic leather (real or fake) is the hot
material choice. Coloured bags will still be popular (to set off the grey colours of many clothes), and also animal prints.
The main fashion colours will be greys, charcoals, earth browns, rust tones, red, purple shades, deep blue, khaki olive, black and white.
Consumer mood at the moment seems to be on the "new", not just the latest fad or trend, but also luxury, novel, and different. Some of this is influenced by celebrity lifestyle worship. What an "A" celebrity has becomes a "must have" or "want it" (Gwen Stefani, Eva Longoria). WAGS (these are the wives and girlfriends of sports stars and "D" list celebrities) are also influential; once they adopt a fashion item, that item will plummet from being "cool". Sales will
drop!
"Must haves" and "want it nows" are also known as early adopters. Besides celebrities, this group is also influenced in their buying by what the current
top brands are, which are always constantly changing.
As a result, the trend of "fashion racing" emerged (This is buying an item in anticipation of or right at its beginning of "hotness". Online shopping has caused fashion racing to be a rather fenetic activity (A costly item could be outdated after just two months of purchase.)
Licensing, marking anniversaries with commemorative items, and marketing to consumers over 50 are continuing trends.
Bear in mind that not ALL fashion trends take off; the public is fickle and there are many directions fashion can take.
Figure out what you want because you want like it for itself (and you can wear the item decently), not because you learn it's a "must have" or "want it".
About the Author
Pat Jacobs currently produces and reports on "The World Of 1960s Music", a Yahoo blog, and also writes feature articles for other sites.
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