Hot Picks For Warm Days

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday September 6, 2008

Rachel Wells

Spring trends likely to succeed

MAXI dress. Yes. Playsuit. No. Dirndl skirt. Maybe. Florals. Yes. Mini. No. Sheer. Hell no.

Having sat through a week of spring-summer collections at Australian Fashion Week earlier this year, I have already hand-picked which of the new season trends I will and won't be wearing once the weather warms up sufficiently to jettison my opaque stockings, boots and innumerable layers in favour of faux tan, gladiator sandals and something a little lighter.

As in every season, there will be some trends that will spread like wildfire, in the same way skinny jeans did when they first appeared on the racks a few seasons back. Others will languish in discount bins for months before being shipped off to the Salvos.

Here are the trends most likely to succeed this spring-summer.

BIG DIRNDL SKIRTS

Donna Karan, Marni and Prada - which showed billowing, diaphanous, hand-painted skirts in its spring-summer collection - are among the labels responsible for the trend for dirndls (full, below-the-knee skirts).

Why they will work They are fun and flattering and cover the knees; user-friendly for all ages.

Perfect for The races, the office and formal daywear.

Where to find them Trelise Cooper, Kate Sylvester, Sacha Drake and Anna Thomas.

Scarlett O'Hara top, $425, and Belle hop skirt, $595, from Trelise Cooper.

HAUTE BOHEME

This is boho with a glamorous edge - think flowing sheer kaftans or floral or paisley-print playsuits teamed with gaudy gold jewellery and sky-high gladiator heels.

Why it will work Because the likes of Nicole Ritchie and Sienna Miller are working boho glamour.

Perfect for The races, poolside parties, the bar circuit.

Where to find it Camilla Franks, Fleur Wood, Sportsgirl, Nevenka.

English garden pantsuit, $269, from Fleur Wood.

FRILLS, RUFFLES AND TIERS

Giles Deacon, Christopher Kane and Luella were among a long list of international designers to put ruffles and tiers back in fashion when they showed their spring-summer collections late last year. Britain's high street soon followed, with chainstores racked with ra-ra skirts, flapper dresses and maxi-dresses layered with tiers of cascading ruffles.

Why they will work They hide, rather than cling to lumps and bumps.

Perfect for Evening wear, the races.

Where to find them Lisa Ho, Nicola Finetti, Lee Matthews, Matthew Eager, Yeojin Bae.

Elsa layered organza dress, $670, from Yeojin Bae.

GLOBAL GATHERING

Folkloric, nomadic, tribal, safari: ethnic patterns and wild-animal prints; fringing and tassels; hand-painting and beading; sari- and toga-inspired shapes; and chunky wooden and beaded jewellery - as seen in spring-summer shows by Oscar de la Renta, Etro and Matthew Williamson last year.

Why it will work You can splash these exotic prints on anything, which means there is a tribal chic look for almost every shape, size and age.

Perfect for Daywear.

Where to find it Joveeba, Nevenka, Kirrily Johnston, Easton Pearson, Romance Was Born, Trelise Cooper, Camilla Franks.

Things Are Not What They Seem dress, $549, from Nevenka.

THE MAXI

There were just as many minis and micros as there were maxi dresses on the international spring-summer catwalks last year but it was the floor-grazing maxi that outsold them all.

Why it will work You can look glamorous without even having to shave your legs.

Perfect for The racing carnival, cocktail parties, weddings.

Where to find it Fleur Wood, Lee Matthews, Alex Perry, Nevenka, Yeojin Bae, Matthew Eager.

Satin chiffon one-shouldered maxi dress, $429, from Matthew Eager.

RISKY SPRING TRENDS

All-in-one playsuits

Kaftans

Denim cut-offs

Bandage skirts and dresses

Fuschia pink

Androgyny

Nautical looks

Short sheath dresses

Jersey T-shirt dresses

Skinny pants and leggings

Bowler hats

Gladiator heels and flats

Graphic prints

STOCKISTS

Fleur Wood 9282 9511

Lee Matthews 9997 3787

Matthew Eager 9281 4514

Nevenka (03) 9415 7573

Trelise Cooper (03) 9521 2411

Yeojin Bae (03) 9529 2250

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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