Spring/Summer Ready-to-Wear Trends

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Anna Wintour gets cold, in Vogue with your skin out-Jay-Z, Empire State of Mind

Women’s Ready-to-Wear Trends:

For awhile there it was looking like I wouldn’t get this blog out until fall.  So rather than obsess over the minutiae, let me share with you what I have observed for Summer 2011.

Themes

The predominant theme that I see shown across multiple designers is neutral and natural.  This look can be achieved through dressing in monochromatic neutrals or in muted complimentary earth-tones. Most of the pieces have movement and are composed in lightweight fabrications that drape beautifully along the lines of the body and create an ‘effortless’ look.

Some of the most important design elements for this summer are:  Stripes, brights, color-blocking, geometric, whites, short-shorts, flared short skirts, maxidresses in cotton/lycra and every length in between.

Designer Highlights

Minimal, naturals, neutrals and white in Alexander Wang.  Alice + Olivia gives us more neutrals and white.  Marc Jacobs-a pop of spicy citrus brights and retro-70s and 80s influences are evident.  Lanvin is modern minimal and muted. Like my alliteration? Balenciaga exploits the themes of print, sheer and rock-n-roll.  The most iconic item in the collection is the houndstooth jacket made of  leather and PVC??? Can it be?

Accessories

Handbags seem to be more tailored and then devil is in the details, details, details.  ‘Power’ hardware is still dominating the designer bag in chrome and a dizzying array of bejeweled and blingified accoutrements (technical term). Shoes for ‘stepping out’ are still platformed. (hard to walk-in but great to look at).  If you are trodding about in the daytime, go for a flat leather sandal with some color or stone/bead detail.  Sunglasses are either oversized or you can go for a retro classic like the Ray Ban Clubmaster.

Trends in Menswear

Navy is the new black (again) and cordovan is back for another cycle. Pants and trousers are slim/straight and shorts are sun-bleached bright colors.  Crisp white cotton paired with militaristic inspired everything and the lightweight cardigan for that 80s schoolboy look.  One note of caution:  If you are over age 30, be careful how generously you dole out the ‘Thompson Twins’ if you know what I mean.

That is all for now.  I could prattle on and an, but then you might feel all oogie.

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McQueen’s ‘Savage Beauty’ at the Met

Courtesy of Alexander McQueen

If you have been following my blog in the past month, you would probably notice that I am going through my Alexander McQueen phase (Albeit a little too late since he passed in 2010).  So last week I went to see his highly-publicized exhibition at the Met:  Savage Beauty.

I have always loved fashion but I have never appreciated Haute Couture, mainly because it felt so inaccessible and unnecessarily extravagant.  I never viewed it as an art-form-until I saw the exhibition.  It was dark, it had drama, it was angry, it was political and it made me think. Every piece told a story that made an emotionally resonant, impactful statement.  I believe some of the items transcended into art. Yes, it doesn’t hurt that people like Lady Gaga and Madonna were his billboards and gave him more exposure in his last years, but you could see his wicked humor, intelligence and amazing talent in each collection.  The ability  to translate emotion into a garment or collection is, to me, the sign of a true artist.

You can preview the ‘Savage Beauty’ exhibition at the link below:

http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/

2011 Oscar Recap

Oscar Fashion

These days there are fewer fashion train-wrecks at the Oscars than days of old.  Even Helena Bonham Carter was relatively subdued this time in her costume designer’s creation.  The shining stars of the evening were Jennifer Lawrence in a simple body-hugging design by Calvin Klein Collection.  Halle Berry executed the ‘nude’ monochromatic look flawlessly with a gorgeous gown by Marchesa.  My personal favorite of the evening was Cate Blanchett in a lavender Givenchy number with structured shoulders and canary-colored detailing.  Michelle Williams embodied understatement in her simple and form fitting gown from Chanel and shorn blond locks.  Jennifer Hudson worked it out with her newly-svelte figure in Versace.  Many loved Mila Kunis’ dress in lavender, but I was not a fan!  And then there was perennial favorite Nicole Kidman who looked like she wore a bedazzled dinner napkin-not her best look!

Oscar Winners

It was a bountiful year for Oscar-worthy movies.  “The King’s Speech” was the big winner with best actor for Colin Firth,  best picture and best original screenplay.  Aaron Sorkin won best adpated screenplay for “The Social Network”.  “The Fighter” won two supporting-actor nods for Christian Bale as the crackheaded brother and Melissa Leo won with her delicious turn as a deeply flawed mother. “Inception” won the bulk of the technical awards, and rightly so! And then there’s Miss Natalie Portman-who most-deservedly won for her disturbing portrayal of a ballerina who literally becomes her character in the ballet (and film) “The Black Swan”.

Welcome to “Whatever Shall I Wear?”

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Welcome to the inaugural post for Whatever Shall I Wear?

Our fashion experts will bring you the latest information from the world of fashion including the latest trends and what’s hot for the season.   We will start with trends for both men and women for the Spring 2011 season.  From time to time we will offer opinion and cover topics which impact our world and give you a chance to get in on the conversation!

So tell your friends and visit often!

Whatever Shall I Wear? LLC. is the trademark of J. Fred Tomberlin and is solely for his use. *photo content is shared from style.com and may be removed at any time.