Spring 2008 in shades
Spring fashions feature floral motifs, African-inspired skirts and neon hues
Posted on March 13, 2008
After another temperamental Virginian winter, spring is finally on its way. Hopefully the truly spiteful temperatures have passed so we can focus on the breezy pieces of the fairer season. Neon hues and eye-popping floral patterns will fill closets while students will trek about campus in Grecian-inspired sandals and skirts patterned out of Africa — balanced out by bohemian numbers with smart blazers.
The line between fashion and art was blurred this season as designer-artist collaborations brought new conviction to the idea of the body as a blank canvas. Richard Prince decorated the bags at Louis Vuitton while Miuccia Prada featured the whimsical illustrations of James Jean on dresses, pants and accessories. Dolce and Gabbana took a surprisingly romantic turn and unveiled a line of dresses decorated in a painted floral motif — worn by Jessica Alba on the cover of this month’s Marie Claire — a technique also seen at Chloé, although in a more modern-graphic vein.
The overarching influence of cult-documentary-favorite-turned-Broadway-hit Grey Gardens was evidenced in John Galliano’s off-kilter looks featuring skirts that appeared to be cardigans tied about the waist. It was also apparent, though less blatantly so, in Marc Jacobs’ ‘girl, interrupted’ mix of frontless and backless ensembles.
Vogue encourages readers to mix colors and patterns to achieve the boho-luxe look seen at Dries Van Noten and Stella McCartney. If ’60s hippie-chic influenced designer dresses this season, then the disco-diva stylings of the ’70s inspired the cut of pants. Wide leg trousers are popping up all over the place, but ultra skinny legs remain omnipresent. Jodhpurs have gained more ground with trends since fall and can look very “now” as long as they’re not the kind that’s actually made for riding horses.
Gladiator sandals are still “in”, as evidenced by Givenchy and Balenciaga’s extreme reincarnations of last summer’s footwear favorite. Fittingly, another still popular theme was military-safari, as seen in the khaki creations at Proenza Schouler and Donna Karan and Jean Paul Gaultier’s British Raj-influenced collection for Hermès. When on safari, one might spy some of the bold ethnic prints on display in Oscar de la Renta and Diane von Furstenberg’s collections.
Simply Vera, by Vera Wang for Kohl’s, features many of the season’s trends, such as Ikat prints and muted florals. Jovovich-Hawk has a similarly bohemian-romantic sensibility and their collection for Target’s GO International line, spotlighted in this month’s InStyle magazine, captures the spirit of spring without breaking the bank. Also check out mngbymango.com for wide-leg trousers and floral-print blouses from the Cruz sisters’ capsule collection for the lesser-known budget-minded retailer.
On the men’s runways we saw bright colors and shiny techno fabrics contrasted by flowery, earthy prints that signify a designer urge to impart eco-consciousness in their prospective customers. Colored jeans from Ksubi or Cheap Monday paired with an organic tee from American Apparel will complete the hipster’s spring look, while more traditional minded men can relish Ralph Lauren’s fortieth anniversary by sporting preppy duds. GQ recommends a khaki suit for early summer interviewing while men.style.com suggests trying more formfitting basics. Think slim cut polos, suit jackets and lightweight knits; the clean lines of Cary Grant, as opposed to the disheveled plumber-jock of Kevin Federline.
Many of these trends were precipitated by more forward-thinking designers last fall. Work in versatile items from previous seasons such as brightly colored tops and bottoms to color block and throw in an art deco inspired floral bag to make the outfit relevant. If any questions arise, check in with the current issue of Harper’s Bazaar for a list of items to buy, keep and store until fall rolls around.
