A La Mode
BLOG: Hits of spring 2008 trends
By Melanie Barnes, Entertainment Writer
June 13, 2008 | noon
It’s a well-known fact that in the fashion industry, trends for the spring season are uncovered in the fall, and vice versa. But sometimes even the stylish powers that be get it wrong- and no one notices a fashion bomb until it’s too late. Thus, I’ve brought the best and worst trends of spring 2008, from head to toe. These are the hits of spring 2008, stay tuned for where the fashion world went wrong.
First up, hats were all over the runway during the Spring 2008 preview. There were styles from the more subtle versions showcasing knit newsboy caps to outrageous Robin Hood caps donning three-foot long feathers. I don’t recommend the Robin Hood route, but a cute newsboy could be the perfect hiding place for I-just-got-caught-in-the-rain-without-an-umbrella hair.
As far as hair goes, sexy sleek ponytails have been hitting the red carpet in full force. Fussy up-dos have gone out the window and have been replaced with simple, stick straight, extension-long ponies. Hide the elastic to take the look from second grade to "Oh, behave!" by wrapping a section of your hair around the base of the ponytail and tucking the hair in underneath.
On the flip side, don’t fret if you’ve lost your brush. Actually, roll around on the floor a little bit because chances are, your hair is too kempt for New York standards. It’s messy, it’s big, it’s as though you’ve just rolled out of bed, fallen into a swimming pool and dried your hair via electrocution. It’s the Olsen twins. It’s hot.
Makeup trends have gone completely wood-nymph natural, from nude lips to rosy pink cheeks. For the daytime, a peach-tint lip may be all you need. At night, let out your inner siren and pull out the red lipstick. Keep the rest of your face simple to keep from looking too dramatic, a little mascara is all you need. Also, full eyebrows have never been hotter. Honestly, why did we ever over-pluck in the first place?
Nails have taken inspiration from California beach style this spring, showcasing plenty of pale yellows, blues and corals. However, for those that can’t kick the dark nail habit after the black polish takeover last fall, Chanel has created a new craze in Blue Satin, a dark blue hue of perfection. Try out the trend with a less expensive version such as N.Y.C.’s “Skin Tight Denim.” And of course, there’s always the ever current French manicure.
Embellished necklines have carried into spring from last season’s various rosettes, braids and twists, eliminating the need for heavy-duty jewelry. Everything from T-shirts to dresses are rocking these fancy additions, so be sure to get your hands on a piece or two.
However, if you can’t abandon your jewelry there is a trend for you yet. Accessories are huge right now, as in the size of a small child. Get five of your favorite long necklaces and tie them into a knot for instant fabulous. Bigger has never been better in the form of classy cocktail rings, chunky cuffs and bold neckwear. Cheap bling need not apply. Huge accessories have found themselves being thrown onto bags as well. Evening clutches with pretty brooches are easy to DIY. Have a clutch? Stick a pin on it. Voila.
If you must wear pants this spring, let them be wide leg. Don’t go too wide, especially if you’re on the shorter side. Drowning in denim is not so hot. Skinny jeans are still a good choice, but we’re going to see a real-girl revolution against the jeans that could muffin-top Kate Moss. Also, waists are climbing sky-high this spring, but there is a fine line between trendy and “I borrowed these from my mom” that I do not believe most are capable of judging. Therefore, we’ll steer clear of that potential trainwreck.
In brighter news, neon has also been hot this spring. Don’t limit yourself to colors found in nature, think as day-glo as possible. Bright yellows, teals and vivid pinks are the colors of the spring. Not so daring? Keep the colors as far away from the face as possible. Neon is a bold statement in itself, don’t amp it up by forcing people to act like they’re not being blinded while talking to you.
Down to the feet, gladiator sandals used to be absolutely hideous when Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen started donning them as the only people on earth who could possibly pull them off. Really, knee-high sandals are pretty much an oxymoron. However, toned-down versions are much cuter, and earth-toned and gold ones look great with shorts or delicate dresses.
Finally, eco-fashion has always been a hit. Sustainable clothing is everywhere, especially recent favorite American Apparel. Saving the Earth is so hot right now.
Remember, the best fashionistas take on only a few trends at a time and make them their own. Style is all about incorporating trends into your wardrobe- not replacing it. Avoid being a style clone, and stay tuned for the trends that didn’t quite make it.
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