IN FASHION

 

High-waisted pants. Big bows. Feathered fedoras. Knit evening gowns. Glittering eyes. These are the next big things in the style world - at least according to the designers who showed their latest collections for the fall '08 season during New York Fashion Week.

The new trends are sure to entice customers, even in an iffy economy. There's always room in the closet for a little something new.

"Most purchases during a recession tend to be emotional rather than a 'need' basis," Abbey Samet, a market analyst for The Doneger Group told Women's Wear Daily. "Therefore the item has to be trend-right or evoke some sort of emotional response, such as color, embellishment or novelty buttons. On the other hand, the idea of updated classics can also be appealing, items that can transcend seasons."

So what are the next big items that are going to make us all want to buy something new come next fall?

Here are some of my favorites from the shows:

- Chunky knits. Just the kind of sweaters you're going to want to be cozy in front of a fire. The huge collared sweaters in colorful reds at designer Carlos Miele's show were a big hit.

- Gypsy layers. Another favorite of mine that always brings out the bohemian fun side of fashion. It's all in the mix, not the match, putting together all kinds of fabrics and prints. Best at Jill Stuart, Isaac Mizrahi and Michael Kors, who combined floral skirts with plaid jackets in rich colors.

- Supersized patterns and prints. I know this doesn't work for everyone, but these giant prints, such as the green houndstooth shift dress in Marc Jacobs' fall lineup, is a breath of fresh fall air.

- Embellishments. It's always the extra-special touches that will make us want to buy something new, and the sparkle wasn't missing in the New York shows. A pearl-encrusted collar at Nanette Lepore or a feathery slip dress at Badgley Mischka. And more sequins, fur trims and jewels added just enough glitz to make you want to go out and party hearty.

- Ladylike dressing. There were a lot of '50s silhouettes a la Jackie O, especially in the shift dresses that dominated the runways. Who said you couldn't wear sleeveless in the winter? Just cover up those bare arms with some elbow-length gloves and a chunky knit cardigan.

- Going for the gold. It was a graphic gold gown at Oscar de la Renta, a gold shift dress at Proenza Schouler and a chunky gold cardigan sweater at Nicole Miller. The golden girls were out in force.

- Pleats, please. Dresses are still a favorite of the fashion crowd. The best pleats in town were at Calvin Klein, where the party gowns were sculpted in subtle micro-pleated jersey and cashmere in metallic black.

 Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association.

© Copley News Service

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