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Fashion
took a hit the size of a
Neiman Marcus
bill in 2009, but despite the crushing blows to all
things style, shopping, and especially surplus, it looks
like 2010 will be an exciting year on the runways, on
the streets, and in our closets.
Just look
at how the year started:
Jennifer Lopez's
black catsuit dropped jaws on
Dick Clark's
New Year's Eve
show. The glittering, mock-necked one-piece designed by
Paula Bradley
was sexy and body-hugging and proved the 41-year-old
mother of twins still had it.
And it's
a perfect example of what I anticipate will be fashion's
biggest trend this year: an invitation to wear extremes.
After all, it's not just J-Lo rocking the catsuit.
Beyonce
performed on St. Barts at a private
New Year's Eve
party in a black catsuit-style suit. And singer
Alicia Keys
is superhero-esque in a purple, one-shouldered catsuit
in the latest music video for her song "Try
Sleeping With a Broken Heart." Thank 2009 fashion
icon Lady Gaga for starting the trend, as she has
mastered the art of overdoing everything, including
wearing makeup that often errs on the side of clownish.
Of
course, this kind of dressing is reserved for
celebrities. But excess for the rest of us will come in
the form of choices: big floral bags or teeny-tiny
jeweled clutches; necklaces big enough to cover the
yokes of our dresses or thin chains with a hint of
diamonds. Heels may stand super-high and chunky, but I'm
betting an increasing number of us will turn to peep-toe
ballet flats. (Aren't we over being in pain?) And while
we continue to wear muted shades, iridescent purples and
kelly greens will be equally strong — at least through
the winter.
So with
the middle ground gone (except when it comes to skirt
lengths: Go for midcalf pencil skirts of the ruched
Nicole Miller
variety), celebrate the radical. Move over, sexy
secretary. Your smoky-eyed, superhero alter ego is in
town. Of course, shopping our closets is still an
option. But that won't stop fashion from evolving.
Here are
some other 2010 fashion predictions:
Leggings.
Since most of us can't or shouldn't wear catsuits, I
predict the legging fascination will continue. Both
liquid leather and studs will be popular right through
April and will make a comeback in the fall. Jeggings
(jeans + leggings) will also be popular through summer
— I'm thinking they will be liked in white. (Now
that's a fashion whoa.) Pair your liquid leggings with a
sheer blouse over a cute cami and with a men's-style
blazer.
Details.
In addition to being sleek, the details will continue to
be exciting. By spring, most of us will have a
knee-length tiered skirt in our closet in soft pink,
baby blue, or gray — perfect for shimmying. We've
already spotted the skirts in
Urban Outfitters
, and Club Monaco has a mini with perfect-sized tiers
— one in solid black and one cloud-colored — with an
exposed zipper. Other details to look for: tulip
sleeves, ruched seams, and bubble hems.
Pastels.
Shiny jewel-toned mustards, purples, and greens will
make way for lemon yellows, lavenders, and mints this
spring. These pastels won't be of the barely there nude
variety, but instead will resemble shades of
rainbow-flavored ices. You can't go wrong with a slew of
cardigans, but I think you'll be most fashionable in a
scarf.
Belts.
Belts will continue to tie everything together. I do
think, however, that belts will move from thick and
studded to smaller and plain. As details get more edgy,
belts will become simpler.
Small
labels. With the emergence of smaller-city Fashion
Weeks, smaller labels are getting a chance to showcase
their individuality and creativity without the bright
lights and big bills of
New York's
Bryant Park
tents.
Fewer
sales. And finally, as price points drop on luxury
items, we will see fewer sales. Gone are the days when
that coveted pair of
Burberry
wellies would go on sale three weeks after hitting the
shelves. Stores will continue to keep only what is
needed in stock. And the sales will be at the end of the
season, just as in the old days. Prices will be slashed
deeply, but chances are your size won't be there.
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