Remember back in January how I said Bows were here to stay? I just got confirmation via DVF's Resort 2010 collection. She showed bows mostly in Black and White Satin, but also color blocked, polka dotted and patterned. These bows look the perkiest and biggest of all! Who's do you like best?
Perhaps another Gossip Girl inspired fashion moment? Bows are nothing new, but they have been coming back to runways since Fall 2008 on both the Sportmax and Luella Runways. From oversize to tiny, stylized to soft/floppy bows look like they're here to stay. Satins, grosgrain, velvets and patent are the major materials. This look could be altered for different women: feminine and sweet like at Luella; prim and proper at Chanel; or dangerous and sexy at Christian Lacroix.
Looks for Luella Spring 2009. Notice floppy bows on hair accessories as well as apparel.
At Chloé Spring 2009, bows were both large and dramatic or small and perky.
At Chanel Spring 2009, A soft bow was used at the neck while more structured bows were used for shoes.
Christian Lacroix Spring 2009 used bows alongside contrasting materials and textures for shoes and body. I love the juxtaposition of the metal ankle chain with the plushness of multiple velvet bows.
This past summer, I found myself thinking, "Are the 90's coming back?" If fashion repeats itself and the 80's are dying out, then I guess it would only make sense for the 90's to make their return.
Pictured: Alexander Wang, Luella, Zucca, Burberry,
Teen Vogue, Urban Outfitters, Shop Bop
I think the 90's are back, specially grunge. I've been seeing a lot of trends from the days of MTV's My So Called Life and Daria, when Nirvana and Pearl Jam were breaking through. Like a number of flashback trends, 90's grunge was awesomely bad - the awesome part being the effortlessness.
Here are the elements of the 90's resurgence:
- Beanies were all over Fall 2008 runways, including Alexander Wang and Luella, and the gray Burberry beanie has become an editor favorite. - Plaid flannel has been a hipster favorite for seasons (or in some cases, years), and it seems to making it's return with the masses. - Chunky shoes like Doc Martens are making a comeback, but more prominent will be thick heels and wedges and shoes that are ugly-cute (girl lingo alert). - Distressed denim can be so wrong, but with the right styling, acid wash and shredded jeans can be so right. - Leather jackets, mini skirts, and even pants have been spotted on celebrities for the past two seasons and are officially in this season.
So a big question isn't whether or not the 90's are back, but rather how to wear these elements without looking dated.
- Proportionsand silhouettes are key. If you're going to wear a loose shirt, balance with a pair of skinny pants. If you're going to wear a cropped top, layer it over a snug, long tank or under a loose, long cardigan. - Styling 90's grunge to look current means balancing grunge elements with polished or feminine pieces like necklaces, lace, and shiny heels. This will help with not only looking up-to-date, but make your look grunge-inspired rather than just grungy.
Rock that flannel! And I'll leave you with my favorite 90's cartoon.
