As the spring season sets in, conservatism takes over in the form of longer skirts and hemlines.   Length of skirts and dresses will take a plunge well below the knees and even brush the floor in some cases.  The time-old tale of falling economies and falling hemlines is well supported by one of this spring’s most influential trends.  Since hemlines, like the economy, are constantly changing and seem to follow the same pattern as the business cycle, we will see all ages showing significantly less leg this spring.

The maxi dress will make a return from last spring and summer and will also reappear in the form of maxi skirts.  Longer skirts and dresses tie in with the boho-chic fashion movement and can be paired with a fitted top or accessorized with a chunky belt.  Maxi dresses will take on new styles with 70’s-esque front slits and longer lacy looks.  Although this style is one of fashion’s top looks for spring, it cannot be achieved by just anyone.  Long and lean figures tend to pull off the floor length style better while petite and plus size should stick to a less dramatic just below the knee length.

Adopted by many of this year’s big designers, the below-the-knee look has been seen all over the runway and is making its way into everyday wear.  Several of the biggest collections feature asymmetrical hemlines, very powerful angles, and some straight-across hems.  We will see fabrics ranging from cotton to chiffon along with elegant sheers and laces.  From classy knee-length all the way down to flowing floor-length, there is a conservative style for everyone this season.

by Lauren McKelvey

While the economic situation of today resembles that of the 1940s, so do the fashion trends.  With the classic look of elegance rejuvenated to fit today’s modern trends, there will be basics, neutrals, and pearls –and a lot of them.  Alfred Hitchcock continually shows his influence on fashion from his sexy and suspenseful films of the 1940s.  Through his starring roles, he developed fashion icons that became prominent in leading ladies and abundant in constrained tweed suits complete with gloves, structured handbags, and other necessities.

This winter season, the elegance and starkness of the 1940s is seen in immense profusion within the fashion scene.  Trends reign across all aspects of fashion but seem to focus on the “classic” look established in the ‘40s and references to Chanel’s always-fashionable Little Black Dress.  Of course, the 1940s look would not be near as accepted and sported today if it was not redesigned and modernized with the use of jewels, metallics, and tailored suits that show off the desirable hourglass figure.

The colors this season will be of a neutral palette including mostly camel tones and blacks and grays that add a touch of masculinity to timeless trends.  The saying “back to basics” seems to be a popular one this winter with the overwhelming use of neutral tones and basic pieces of clothing accessorized to appear more luxurious and high fashion.  This focus on accessories is evident through the presence of structured handbags, gloves of all types, pearls, and neutral pumps.

To achieve the 1940s of today look of elegance and affluence try pairing a basic dress or plain tailored suit with some classic-style accessories.  For the fashion-conscious, the simple pearl necklace or pair of neutral pumps will complete the look.  The more fashion-daring shopper should try sporting a wide brim hat or driving gloves to make any outfit classic-chic.

by Lauren McKelvey

This season fur isn’t just a luxury—it’s a lifestyle.  From classic fur coats to boots, hats, dresses, purses, and all things furry, this trend has taken the runways and retail stores by storm.  Whether it’s real or faux fur, this trend is one of the more noticeable and influential of the season.  With the dozens of different style combinations that this trend achieves, fur is a must-have look this fall that can be worn by anyone.  Traditionally, fur was seen as one of the more luxurious fashion choices, but today it has made its way into all different product markets and has become an affordable requirement for not only the fashion-forward consumer, but also the everyday shopper.

“Boots with the fur” takes on a whole new meaning this fall as we see such a vast assortment in fur boots.  Fur covers the inside, outside, tops, and laces of this stylish trend in footwear.  There are so many combinations in these shoes—from ankle to thigh-high and high-heeled to flat—that there is something that will look fabulous on everyone.  Perhaps the most controversial of these fashionable shoes is the Mukluk, a boot covered almost entirely by fur.  These boots were conventionally made from sealskin but have shifted to a more environmentally friendly version of the original.  Although Mukluks can be spotted on the runways of Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, and many more, this does not mean that everyone can pull them off with such ease.

Here are a few tips and tricks to looking fabulous in fur this season: Keep it simple.  One eye-catching piece of fur is generally enough to get the desired look across but not grab too much attention while doing so.  Pair a piece of fur clothing or fur accessories with other trendy fabrics this season such as leather, wool, tweed, or a simple cotton fabric.  If you are daring enough to test out the Mukluk boots, team them up with a simple skirt, tights, leggings, or a few layers of flowing fabrics for a more bohemian-chic look.  Even if we don’t see snow this season, we will undoubtedly see a substantial amount of fur.

by Cait Landon

America’s love affair with denim is totally undeniable. Last year skinny jeans topped the fashion boards and this fall the Jegging will explode in popularity.  They have been peeking out for a while now and the rage just grows and grows. Even thought late last fall New York magazine called jeggings a “don’t,” retailers and fashion watchers disagreed and the trend was born.  It was slow at first but this season the reinvention of the humble jean has hit the scene with fashion mavens.  Industry buyers and fashion executives tout them as an absolute perfect transition from summer into the fall fashion scene.

Jeggings, a cross between jeans and leggings, started as a tight (very tight) fitting spandexed jean, a jean with enough spandex to give a more painted on look. The fashion famous have been wearing them and have given thumbs up to their comfort stretch as a must have. Comfort, yes.  But can (or should) most of the female world don this trend?  It appears that savvy fashion females have already started adapting the trend with longer tops and dresses over the jegging.  They do tend to show every lump and bump so be careful what you match them with unless your body has all the right bumps in all the right curvy places. True to the norm of the industry we will start seeing a mutation of the trend rather quickly. Keep your eye out for fabric and color variations to start hitting the shelves. (Basically taking us back to the legging.)

The trend has even jumped the gap into the men’s fashion world.  Guys, meet the Megging.  Yep, you heard it; Men’s Jeggings…the Megging is the same basic idea for the guys. Men’s leggings are definitely a challenging look to pull off because they are not only incredibly revealing for a men’s pant, they also seem a bit difficult to mix with most men’s clothes, and not a pocket in sight. An area that may make it is in the sports wear arena.  They can wear their Meggings underneath baggier shorts or pants.  With the more relaxed look in this already comfy style it is almost a sure bet that the

by Amber Pierce, www.newwinelights.com

In today’s economy, it may seem difficult to dress as fashionably as we might like.  While limited resources might hinder our ability to buy anything we want, it can serve as a challenge to our creativity where fashion is concerned.  Fashion is available to anyone, regardless of economic circumstances!

I have been guilty of cleaning out my closet at the end of a season with no regard for how some garments might be reworked in the next season.  My attitude toward clothing could have been summarized like this:  “Oh, it’s just a shirt.  I can always get a newer, more stylish one!”  I know that my attitude was wasteful and uncreative.  As I have talked with older, more seasoned women about the role of fashion and clothing in our culture, I have learned that there is another approach to moving from season to season in the world of fashion that involves the creative use of clothing resources.

Most of us know what looks good on our own bodies.  Regardless of the current fashion trends, we should trust our instincts where clothing is concerned.  Just because pastels might be in vogue this summer does not mean they will work for every person.  For that reason, we all need to identify our personal style and use what we already have to develop our wardrobe for a new season.  With the addition of a few carefully selected accessories and some minor alterations, we can turn something old into something new and fashionable without breaking the bank.

Another side of this creative fashion thinking involves sharing clothing with friends and family.  We might look at last summer’s maxi dress with disdain, but our next door neighbor will look adorable in it with the simple addition of a belt or necklace.  This summer, examine your resources and get creative with fashion!

Designers have reworked our beloved denim into shoes, dresses and rompers for the season. In fact, they have reworked it into just about everything.  What has always been a fashion “don’t”, head to toe denim, is now an edgy and brazen look.  You can add, add, add to the look or go for a more reserved and simple look like a tunic with leggings. Try wearing your denim in new ways (as a jacket, a dress, a romper or a shirt instead of just jeans) to show off a new fresh look for spring/summer.  Mix it up too! Put your denim with whites, brights or neutrals. Look for big bold jewelry and belts of nature, inspired wood or turquoise, to accompany your outfit.  By all means, find a great pair of denim shoes, they will go with everything.

Yes, camo is still around, but the freshest add-in to your wardrobe is khakis and olives.  The military trend is dominating, and including an army jacket or sharp cut military jacket is a great way to update what you already have.  Keep these military looks feminine by choosing fitted shirts and jackets that give it more of a boy-meets-girl look rather than a sloppy army surplus look.  Add one of these jackets to your boyfriend jeans and a striped tee or with a real girlie dress and you will be a runway girl.

You can work with a shade that is best with your skin, but plan on soft oranges, especially coral.  These colors should be in your closet for the season.  Shades in coral to peach usually work well on most women and the hues mix beautifully with this season’s popular khakis and white. You will even find many gold and silver metallics that work really well.

Another fashion tip that you can simply make happen is fringe. Fringe and tassels will add interest to handbags this season, and you will be able to incorporate it into your wardrobe quick and easy.  These bags will bring a bit of western/boho feel to just about anything you wear, but the look is natural with the denim that is rocketing the fashion funways.  Buy a little or buy a lot, these few add-ins will bloom your wardrobe!