As January draws to a close and 2011 starts to develop legs, the fashion industry machine continues to roll on and on with predictions about how we will survive the flagging economy and, more importantly, what we will care to wear in the year ahead to do that very thing. After attending a webinar provided to me as a subscriber to stylesight.com, I can be of the same mind with trend spotters that there are a whole batch of ideas floating around in fashion land. Some will stick while others will blaze hot for a moment and then fade away like a random meteor shower. What the public buys and decides to put on their backs is what dictates how many items are made as well as how long a shelf life they will have. The idea of living fashionably can also mean a lot more than clothing as you’ll see from my Q&A with a few retailer friends. Read on, you just may be surprised at some of their answers.
 |
| Bjorn and Carrie Arrouet. |
Carrie Arrouet from Lela Boutique in the Third Ward (www.lelaboutique.com) had this to say about the year that was and the one to come.
Top trends (not very clothing driven at all!)
-Healthy attitude
-Bright Smile
-Positive energy
-Not taking fashion too seriously
-Laughing at yourself
Last year’s worst trends
-Negative vibes about how it was the worst year ever for retail
-Conversations that start with “Why did they close?” or “I just love shopping at Walmart!”
-Shorts worn with tights
-Sparkly eyelashes and shadow
-Three-finger rings (we don’t need to wear brass knuckles, ladies!)
 |
| Covet khaki skirt. Photo courtesy Lela. |
Trending in the future
We continue to see repurposing as a big trend this year. Becoming great friends with a seamstress who can turn last year’s long pencil into a shorter one, or turning that cool jacket into a vest is key. Denim is still the big thing as well, paired with a fitted jacket or vest.
The bright hues we are seeing a lot of include colors of traditional spring flowers: iris, daffodil and geranium. We will surely include those colors to sneak a pop of color into our long winter weather by offering them in sweaters and jackets to pair with our black basics!
The basic colors we are seeing a ton of are natural, mustard and navy. The tone isn’t so much that it’s wrong
 |
| Covet floral shirt dress. Photo courtesy Lela. |
to buy a frivolous piece, but people are still looking for practical and fun. So if you want to buy a pair of khaki shorts or pants, why not try a new twist and wear a cool skirt with patch pockets in a sturdy cotton fabric that will keep you looking cool on the playground, the grocery store or out for a glass of wine with your friends! We will be bringing a line called Covet in this spring, featuring a great skirt for under $90 … well worth it, I promise.
Fabrics are flowing, soft and easy breezy. We have a very easy shirt dress, again from Covet, in a floral print that will pair nicely with leggings in the spring and work as a great go-to piece for the summer… sleeves to keep the chill off in those air-conditioned venues.
 |
| DVF Khali Dress. Photo courtesy Fayes. |
Chantal Otto, assistant marketing manager from Faye’s in Mequon and Brookfield (www.fayes123.com) weighed in with the good, the bad and the ugly, and how to avoid that in the New Year.
Top Trends
-Eclectic prints. Spring is full of pattern play. Fashionistas will even mix their prints together! (Featured is Diane von Furstenberg “Khali” Dress)
-Military(ish) jackets. Track down a cargo jacket or military-inspired vest. Tough-looking top + flirty bottom = year-round outfit perfection.
 |
| Jbrand Lovestory flare. Photo courtesy Fayes. |
-Serious pants. Your new day-to-night bestie: wider leg and even flowy silhouette pants. Wear ‘em with wedge heels and a tucked-in top to look long and lean. (Featured is Jbrand “Lovestory” flare)
 |
| Layered bracelets. Photo courtesy Fayes. |
-Wrist bangles (and lots of ‘em!) There’s no easier (or more affordable) way to update your look in a hurry, so just slip on an armful of colorful bracelets and bangles.
 |
| DVF flip-flop. Photo courtesy Fayes. |
-Citrus colors like we saw during New York Fashion Week. Orange and lemon citrus hues are big for spring! (Featured is Diane von Furstenberg flip-flop in lemon (also available in purple and turquoise)
5 Worst Trends of Last Year
-The graphic print pant trend. Yikes!
-Pant-less ensembles (No thanks, Lady Gaga).
-Wearing leggings as pants (psst…we can see through them!)
-High heels w/ socks. (See picture!)
-Extreme shoulder pads.
On the Fashion Horizon
-Neutral and nude colors. Still a little too wintery for beige, peach and light pink tones, but they will be here soon.
Lydia Hamilton-Monnie from Boutique Larrieux (www.boutiquelarrieux.com) offers her own advice on what’s hot and what’s not.
 |
| Mid-calf dress. Photo courtesy Boutique Larrieux. |
Top Trends
One of my top trends for fashion in the New Year is anything blush or nude in tone. Pale pinks, muted browns and the like. Here’s the great thing about this trend, you don’t have to wear YOUR shade of nude – it actually may wash you out a bit if you do. Have pale skin? Opt for going something in a brown family. Got a little mocha? Give some pinks a try. Also, I also love all things ombre. There is just something about one color fading into another. One fashion trick about ombre is that it actually can have a slimming effect if done in the right pattern with lighter tones on top and darker tones toward the bottom. In years past we have seen trends take dresses down to the floor, maxi in length and also sky high in mini-mode. This season is the return of the mid-calf dress. Admittedly, this is a trend that works best for the ladies that are a bit taller. If you’re 5’5’’ or under, take up the length a bit to the knee, and you’ll still be on trend. Lastly, I love this one … anything frilly. This includes lace accents, dainty ruffles and the like. If you see a piece with a touch of romantic look to it, snatch it up! And if you don’t want to look TOO feminine, a touch of leather always brings it down a notch.
Worst Trend of 2010
Really for me there is just one worst trend: OVERLY distressed jeans. I’m all for a rip here, a fade there. But downright destruction, looking like it’s on its last leg kind of jeans are best for painting your living room when you’re running on an HGTV high. Don’t get me wrong, I love a boyfriend jean with a little wear and tear, but there is such thing as too much.
 |
| Body con dress. Photo courtesy Boutique Larrieux. |
Fashion forecast on the horizon?
Particularly for the plus -size fashion community, one thing that is trending with the cutting-edge ladies are body con (or body conscious) dresses. These are dresses that really hug the curves and show them off proudly. A lot of mainstream plus-size lines haven’t embraced this trend full on, but there is an uprising a comin’! Take a look at Amber Riley from Glee at the Golden Globes. There were mega curves going on left and right!
*
As you know, when it comes to fashion everyone’s a critic! But isn’t that the fun of it all? Just like our president asked us in his State of the Union address, we’ve got to work together as a fashion community no matter what our personal feelings are, for the greater good of keeping the style scene in Milwaukee growing in the year to come and beyond!
