It’s been an every-year situation: how to keep one’s wardrobe spiffy without having to break the bank. In 2009, as it happens, designers and style experts agree that many of the trends of last year are still hot to trot in 2009. Evidence..
Shine on me
Sequins and high metallic shine are usually ignored as a spring trend but thanks to tighter budgets, they’re here to stay. Don’t throw out that silver dress yet. If you want to tone it down for the new season, throw on a shrug or pair it with leggings and you could have a whole new look that’s not too extravagant.
Colour coded
There’s always a debate in the fashion world around this season about whether flesh tones should trounce the vibrant colours of winter. Jewel tones like jade, garnet and ruby showed up in almost every previous collection. However, instead of giving in to neutral shades, rebel against convention in eye-poppers. Colours to look forward to are tangerine, citrus, magenta and canary yellow. One more tip from the style gurus: don’t be afraid to combine two strong colours in one ensemble. Colour blocking is a huge trend that shows no signs of slackening yet.
Ooh la la leggings
The point of departure for many fashion experts, leggings were popular last year. While Suneet Verma showed off his sheer version with floral appliqué, internationally, the wet look has become popular. This means leather or lycra leggings whose sheen mimics a wet effect. While they’re not exactly suitable to our sultry climate, you could take advantage of the current coolish spell in the city. And wearing them under skirts is so passé, try them with short shorts or rompers this year.
Ooh la la leggings
The point of departure for many fashion experts, leggings were popular last year. While Suneet Verma showed off his sheer version with floral appliqué, internationally, the wet look has become popular. This means leather or lycra leggings whose sheen mimics a wet effect. While they’re not exactly suitable to our sultry climate, you could take advantage of the current coolish spell in the city. And wearing them under skirts is so passé, try them with short shorts or rompers this year.
Belt bondage
Skinny belts verus big belts, braided belts versus studded belts — do we really want to resolve that debate? Instead of picking a side.. or a style, wear them all with a savoir faire. The season’s classic slouchy fits are best suited to the wide belts. But if you’re headed to an official meeting in a classic pantsuit, a skinny belt is your best friend.