In Fall, A Young Girl’s Thoughts Turn to–Spring

English: Project Runway contestants Laura Bennett and Nick Verreos interview Project Runway host Heidi Klum and her date Seal at the 59th Annual Emmy Awards. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On Project Runway, Heidi Klum says ad nauseam, “In fashion, one day you’re in and the next you’re out.” I think it’s more accurate to say, “In fashion, one day it’s fall and the next it’s spring.” I have no sooner decked out my consignment shop with a fabulous selection of fashionable pieces for fall and winter, then blam! The spring fashion shows are underway and we’re thinking lace and gauze instead of wool and fur.

So, what was hot on the runways of Paris and New York? If we boil down the cutting edges of couture, what are we going to see in the stores next spring?

• Colors are all over the map. On the Paris runways, there were florals in a range of pastels, reds and blues saturated with color, metallic, and black and white (mais oui!). Pink and gray are going strong from fall into spring, and red showed up in shades from petal to raspberry.
• Pleats were everywhere, on top as well as on bottom. and in all sorts of fabric weights.
• Feminine shapes prevailed, with fuller pants and flowing skirts.
• Speaking of skirts, lengths were all over the board–mini, midi, maxi, and just above the knee (but bear in mind, ladies, the knee-length is the most flattering after a certain age–mini looks like you’re trying too hard, and full length can make you look short and squat).
• Volume and layering were everywhere, along with veiling (gauzy materials peeping out from cuffs and hems) and asymmetrical cuts. And prints and shine really ruled.
• Flat shoes are back with a vengeance, from boots to sandals.

Overall, the feeling was light and flowing, but with an edge of power. Come on, spring!

Gaze at Fall in My Crystal Ball

So what did the fall/winter 2013 fashion weeks have to tell us, besides the fact that Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs still can rock the runways, and that Tom Ford is back (and we’re mighty happy to see him)?

The trends that showed up over and over were:

• Leather and fur everywhere, from trims to entire ensembles. And leather was intermixed with other fabrics to create some truly intriguing jackets, coats, even sweaters.
• Bad news for us full-figured gals: pants legs are still skinny and straight. Guh. Tuxedo stripes were also showing up on pants legs, and lots of exercise wear motifs crept into other pieces.
• Knitwear rages on, with texture, mixed media, and animal prints. Textures were often mixed–heavy gauge knits with light-weight knits.
• Black and white, guys and gals, black and white still rules, along with abstract and geometric prints. Houndstooth is peeping out every so often–hooray!
• Embellishments are shiny and not subtle–metallic hardware, studs, and sequins adorned many outfits.
• Tartan is showing up–and if Marc Jacobs can wear a kilt, why can’t we wear tartan pants? Hand in hand, equestrian looks were still out and about.
• Quilted fabrics–even fur!–and tweed showed up to the party in lovely designs.

All of these trends are fun, and promise a fall retail season with some wearable, long-lasting pieces. And some of these trends can be found in consignment and thrift shops, so the hunt will be on. So, thank you New York, London, Milan, and Paris. See ya in the fall!