Spring/summer 2011 is shaping up to be a rockin’ season for fashion. Demure vs. sexy, biker punk vs. ladylike glamour – there’s a crazy, funky plethora of styles, a mish-mash of influences from past eras and current crazes that has resulted in a wholly unique fashion direction.
We’ve picked out some of the biggest fashion trends in clothing for the coming months. Like it, love it, can’t bear the sight of it? Whichever it is, you’ll be seeing a LOT of these styles in the coming months…
Many designers have revoked the styles of the 60s and 70s in their spring and summer collections this year, but in very different ways. The 60s trend is all about ladylike elegance – think demure high necks, pencil skirts, fitted bustier tops flaring into full, below-the-knee skirts. The silhouette is refined and utterly feminine, emphasising the curves without exposing too much. Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs led the pack on this trend, though many smaller design houses picked it up and translated it into pieces that can be worn by just about anyone.
The 70s are back too, as the ultimate in sleek sophistication. For daytime, the trends is for high-waisted, flared trousers that elongate the legs, paired with a ruffled or bow blouse in satin with billowing long sleeves, or a fitted roll-neck sweater. 70s evening-wear, meanwhile, is all about glitz and glamour – high-sheen fabrics with metallic threads, plunging ruffled necklines, and draped dresses with sky-high slits.
The military trend has been around for a few years, but that trend will evolve this season into a style we call biker chic. The basic elements are similar, but this time the military jacket we have seen dominating the street for so many seasons has been replaced by the biker jacket, which is going to become the ‘it’ piece for 2011. And this jacket need not be the typical black leather number either – big name designers like Burberry have shown sexy silver and sophisticated nude offerings alongside more conventional black pieces. Similarly the other elements of this trend – form-fitting trousers and leather skirts – have also been seen in unusual colors, with insets of other fabrics like mesh and neoprene. And the final touch – a pair of motorcycle boots that scream attitude, of course!
This year fashion is all about sheer fabrics – lace, chiffon and net, and even crochet and macramé.
This trend cuts across all the other styles to create new and unusual looks – subtle nude chiffon blouses filled with ruffles for vintage chic, sheer 60s full-skirted numbers or maxi dresses that echo 70s boho style in taupe and ecru, and uber-feminine frilled net skirts paired with biker gear for a look that’s part delicate and part devil-may-care.
Crochet, too, has made a comeback, with designers like Emilio Pucci creating floor-length dresses made entirely of crocheted cotton thread. Meanwhile, macramé was making waves at the Gucci show in gorgeous natural shades and plenty of curve-baring sassiness.
A time of contradictions and contrasts, Spring 2011 promises to be a wildly exciting season for fashion. We just can’t wait!
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