10 Trends For 2008 Fall Fashion

From Shopperati

Shopperati attempts to decipher the completely mixed fashion messages in this season’s fall collections. Here are some scene-stealers for your closet this fall.

1. On the A-List: The Waist – We know! We hate sit-ups too! But fall’s collections highlight the waist in so many pretty ways you’ll be inspired to work out. (That’s a nonfat latte, right?) Dresses are cinched, sweaters and coats are belted, and the peplum waist gets some flattering reinterpretations.

2. Outrageous Lengths — In Bridget Jones’ Diary, a computer message from her boss appears on Bridget’s screen: “You appear to have forgotten your skirt… Is skirt off sick?” The inquiry leads to all manner of fabulous comedy and inappropriate behavior. Yet his point is valid: If a skirt doesn’t actually cover the geography south of the waist, is it even there?

3. Mixing Our Metaphors — Go into your closet. Pick out three, maybe four pieces that don’t go together at all, in any way – fabric, texture, length, theme or color. Got them? OK, now put them on. Beautiful! And not only is it legal this season, it’s in style!

4. In Over our Heads — We love sweaters. It is an irrational and unrequited love, as we have lived most of our life in warm places. Still, we swoon. This year, the sweater is oversize, but not necessarily sloppy. It’s often belted, and rarely an understatement.

5. Open Up the Vault — When trend-watchers say “jewel tones,” here’s what they mean: faceted birthstone colors shining between the blacks and grays. 

6. Plaiditudes — The feathers, the fur, the obsessive mixing of shearling and tweed and lace and silk? It’s all about texture. Now add plaid, with an attitude.

7. It’s all longitude — It’s fairly mandatory that models be long and lean, so they tend not to need this advice. But clearly, one of the best ways to hide a figure flaw or two is to go monochrome – wear one color, head to toe. It lengthens your torso and fools the eye.

8. Our Bias is Showing — Resist the urge to get out the scissors or safety pins. Those hems and seams are crooked – in the fashion world, we say asymmetrical - by design, meant to shake up the status quo a bit. And not just in the expected smattering of one-shoulder dresses, either.

9. Gam Chic — Honestly, we aren’t certain how to interpret what’s beneath the skirts this season. To look at all the tights, leggings and super-high boots out there, it’s as though no one wants to see our legs ever, ever again.

10. Coats to cuddle in — Ever wish you could just take a blanket with you on a cold day, wrap it around your shoulders and keep the winter out? These coats will do just that. While they come in varying shapes and styles, each looks incredibly competent as a cocoon.

For more details on fall fashions for ‘08, including links and more photos, go to Shopperati.