Retail and fashion forecasters Tobe have released a sneak peak at their January report into the fashion trends of 2008. Their top 5 picks for 2008 might surprise you, as they're not all threads you can wear.
Remember those bulky shoulder pads from the 80s? They're back! Well... ok not quite, I'm just trying to scare you. What is making it as as trend in 2008 is accentuated shoulders - but in a much more sculptured, structured way than those 1980's power-suits.
2008's shoulders are accentuated with short sleeves on streamlined cuts creating a more balanced silhouette. Pointed shoulders (like YSL and Fendi, above) add an element of futurism and fantasy to a dress or top, while Balenciaga's rounded shoulders create a look that's football player meets 16th century plate armor, only much daintier of course.
Ever since we saw Kate Moss at Glastonbury we were predicting a return of 1920s elements. The flapper trend set in slowly but surely, and the Spring / Summer 2008 runway shows were there to push it along.
Loose-fitting dresses with embellishments like fringing and beading, particularly in vintage styles, will take over from the more mod minis and smocks of the past season. Drop-waists aren't a requirement in 2008, where waists are otherwise emphasised and revered, and the trend will populate into a variety of different fits and cuts.
Sheer fabric is back as one of hottest 2008 and 2009 fashion trends, and plenty of celebrities are wearing it. But don't worry, it's not all about tight, see-through tops, and dresses that scream 'look at me' as we saw in the 1990s. Run your eyes over the Spring / Summer 2008 and Spring / Summer 2009 runway collections and you'll find sheer fabrics used in a multitude of ways: tight sheer pieces, layers, and the much sought after delicate, feminine draping.
Sienna Miller was spotted out and about yesterday in a yellow version of the lumberjack check. If you'll recall, the trend has been seen on the likes of Natalie Portman, Kate Bosworth, Mary-Kate Olsen and of course Lindsay Lohan.
I think the check looks rather more delicate in yellow. So far your votes are heading in a positive direction - but if you haven't voted yet go ahead and have your say.
2008's trends will be all about wearing less jewelry - but being bolder and more unique. Think statement pieces and one-off show-stoppers. If you want to get yourself some new jewelry for 2008, here are the top 5 things you should be hunting down:
As well as the present return of the 1920s flapper, Art Deco influences are also finding their way into fashion. Not tied entirely to the formal start and end of the Art Deco era, the influence begins with earlier Art Nouveau and follows right through to the glamour of 40s silver screen starlets. Look out for the geometric shapes, curved lines and exotic influences that defined the era.
Outfits and cigarette motif from Marc Jacobs A/W 2007; antique Art Deco Egyptian theme bracelet; the Chrysler Building; background artwork by Tamara de Lempicka.
Kate Moss was out and about in the fur trend again recently, attending the Led Zeplin reunion gig in a Fendi black and white fur jacket. The jacket is the same one worn by Kate Bosworth some time ago, and though their outfits looked quite similar on closer inspection Kate was actually teaming it with a leotard.
That's right - a leotard. Does that mean leotards are coming back? American Apparel certainly think so.
We've seen plenty of the animal print trend in 2007 - we've seen its successes, its sexualisation , and the absolute travesties. What we didn't think is that we'd see it at the cusp of 2008. But leave it to wild child Lindsay Lohan to surprise us.
We've talked about how to wear various types of suit jackets in interesting ways. Thankfully dinner (or tuxedo) jackets are no longer just for the boys, and with Kate Moss clearly a fan, you can be assured that there'll be a tuxedo/dinner suit trend for women in 2008.
Above: Kate wears her dinner jacket with a faded tee, skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots. Below: Kate does another take on the tux jacket teaming one with black latex leggings, rock chic style.
