If you slap down the AmEx for only one new item this season, invest in a dress: super-short, swingy smocks and tunics by Chloe and Miu Miu; cocktail numbers with cascading ruffles by Michael Kors; full-skirted affairs with layers of crinoline by Jean Paul Gaultier; balloon hems by Balenciaga. Designers have either opted for the opulent-gold brocade, accordion pleats, puffed sleeves, lace and bows-or for the minimalist, marked by narrowed skirts with cinched waists. High-belted dresses from Burberry Prorsum and high-neck shifts by Calvin Klein recall the 60s and 70s. Otherwise its pure sex appeal, with hemlines designed to expose miles of legs. * Calvin Klein Collection cotton trapeze dress, $1,190, at Calvin Klein, New York City. (Kurt Iswarienko / For The Times)
Are designers under the impression that all women possess the kind of two-story gams that come with an insurance policy? That might explain why shorts are peeking out from under tailored jackets, silky kimonos, diaphanous tunics, structured trench coats, even the ubiquitous linen suit. This is potentially dangerous shopping territory, but thankfully were offered a range of silhouettes, from just-above-the-knee to postage stamp-sized skivvies. Dries Van Noten pairs a red floral kimono with blue-and-gold striped shorts. Stella McCartney tops wispy white shorts with a wide-belted navy bomber. And Givenchy mixes high-waisted cuffed black shorts with a cummerbund and white dress shirt. Todays shorts are cocktail-party appropriate, provided a pair of Blahniks accent the effect. Too bad we cant wear them to work. * Trench coat by Kai Kuhne, $1,499, at Diavolina, Los Angeles; vest by H&M, $14.99, at H&M, San Francisco; shorts by Robin OReilly, $192, at Showroom Seven, (212) 643-4810. (Kurt Iswarienko / For The Times)
After several seasons of smack-you-up-side-the-head primary colors, pale pinks and purple, muted yellow and nudes are back. Elie Saabs rainbow of dresses in soft hues is representative of many collections. Those who dare to differ have picked colors associated with fall. Much of Lanvins collection, which conveys sexy power dressing, is black, while Burberry Prorsum is awash in sepia tones. Patterns also abound. The star of stripes is Kenzo, whose Paris show was like a stampede of zebras. Also in the City of Lights: Christian Dior chose dresses that gradated from purple, orange or green to tan. And Cavalli embraced black-and-white plaid. As Cole Porter wrote, Anything goes. * Ruffian blouse, $875, at Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills. (Kurt Iswarienko / For The Times)
