Reading the runways
Fresh off the fall runways in New York, London, Milan and Paris, here are eight trends worth considering for spring that will still feel new come September:
Anorak: At the heart of Michael Kors’ Sportluxe collection, the versatile, lightweight jacket turned up again at Burberry Prorsum worn over black tights. It’s the perfect coverup for spring or fall.
Peekaboo hair: Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino and John Galliano at Christian Dior had a love affair with 1940s silver-screen sirens and their sultry hairstyles. So don’t chop it all off this summer.
Metallics: They might look like one of those here today-gone tomorrow items, but they were shining on the Ralph Lauren runway, and plenty of others, for fall. The most forward-looking investment: a bomber jacket.
Plaid: Designers at Chanel and Balenciaga were mad for plaid jackets, while Jean Paul Gaultier worked a whole Highlands theme. Burton’s lumberjack check luggage is a surprising spin on the trend.
Power red: With Hillary Rodham Clinton in the race for the White House and Nancy Pelosi at the helm on Capitol Hill, we were bound to see a return to 1980s power red, and we did — Viktor & Rolf and Marc Jacobs did especially good coats. A bag or shoe will do just fine too.
Tuxedo: It was Yves Saint Laurent who first put women in le smoking, and Stefano Pilati updated the look for fall with a sculpted cream tuxedo coatdress. But tuxedos aren’t just for after 5: Diesel’s spring ivory vest with tux lapels looks terrific with walking shorts.
Studs: Fall’s sharpest decoration, studs found their way into the Burberry Prorsum, Givenchy and Rock and Republic shows. But Giles Deacon’s collection for Mulberry, including a clutch and cuff with oversize gold studs, is in the hands of the fashionable crowd now.
Lace-ups: Old-fashioned ghillies, brogues and just plain lace-ups added a retro touch at Anne Klein, Marc Jacobs and Christian Dior. Christian Louboutin already has them in a spectator style for spring.
