Fall Fashion: The New Shapes

When our country went through the Great Depression our parents and grandparents shopped their pantries, farms, closets and the feed-store to feed their families and to create clothing to put on their backs. They re-cut their clothing and bought feed in patterned cloth-sacks to create fresh new fashion. We're now hearing
buzz-words like "frugalista", "recessionista" and "shop your closet". Or we're being advised to shop consignment shops, thrift shops and swap meets to add to what we have instead of replacing it. (Chris Craymer)

I shopped my closet, finding that I don't need to get anything to be in style. I don't toss things when they fall out of favor. It seems the designers shopped their generational closets. This year's silhouettes come from the 40's through to the early 2000's in their influences with a modern update in how they've been executed and combined.

The shapes aren't new. However, the prevailing economy, the different application of materials to traditional shapes and unexpected combinations make the shapes new. (Stacy London)

Here are some examples of this year's trends and their generational roots:

In the 40s accentuated shoulders/big shoulders, brimmed hats, draped jersey dresses, neck-wear/statement scarves and trench coats were influenced by the movies with Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. Then in the the 80s those styles were brought back in, partially influenced by Disco.

In the 50s motorcycle jackets, military coats, bubble hems, sheaths, white shirts, scarves, fitted coats, fur, skinny pants, skinny jeans were in partially due to Marlon Brando, Audrey Hepburn and the models of the time. They were still popular in the 60s along with distressed jeans(ripped jeans), boyfriend jeans, embellished tops/tunics, over the knee boots, mini skirts and fierce shoes influenced by the Flower Children, the Beatles and Nancy Sinatra .

In the 70's the Boho/hippy look, saddlebags, capes/capelets/caped coats, sweater coats, boyfriend cardigans/ grandfather cardigans, vintage leather bags/vintage shoes/flat slouch boots and feminine blouses were influenced by the Hippies and different celebrities and musicians who followed the Hippy fashion.

In the 80s, we also had styles that have influenced todays draped cardigans, printed cardigans/asymmetrical hemmed cardigans, asymmetrical hems and necklines, body conscious suits/power suits, layered bracelets and hi-impact jewelry that were partially derived from the Disco and from individual TV celebrities.

In the 90s we had stretch jeans which influenced the later leggings which were plain but have exploded into all kinds of decorated versions. The accessories with hardware, statement jewelry with rock-goth edge-punk, studded bags, chained boots, cross-body purses, boyfriend jackets and jeans, collectible t-shirts and big top over slim bottoms were influenced a lot by the music scene.

The shapes I selected come from the 50's, 60's and 90's influence; the sheath, leggings, and over the knee boots. I chose designers who give good value for the dollar, interesting and complimentary shapes with attractive details and easy care. All garments are machine washable unless noted:

1. The Current Sheath is definitely not that simple, straight or slightly a-line little thing of the fifties and sixties:

Norma Kamali's Women's Shirred Jersey Tank Dress is $18.00 at select Walmart's and on-line. The dress comes in sizes xs-xxl and only in black jersey. It's sleeveless with a shirred back center and side seams with a scoop neck. The hem is just below the knee and the dress is polyester and spandex. This dress would look nice with peep toed shoes and a cardigan.
http://www.walmart.com

Any of these next dresses would pair well with shoes that make a statement and a nice jacket.

I've chosen two of Mossimo's dresses at Target;

Mossimo® Black's Double Scoop Dress is black and is $29.99. It comes in sizes xs-xxl. This dress has half sleeves and is 72% rayon, 23% nylon and 5% spandex. It's an above the knee pullover.
http://www.target.com

Mossimo® Black's Pin-tuck Detail Dress is ebony and costs $29.99. It comes in sizes xs-xxl and has cap sleeves. It's 100% polyester with a 100% spandex lining and has an above the knee hem with a front tie closure. It also has a split neckline.

AGB's dress is sleeveless with a braided belt. It's $60.00 at Macy's and is polyester/rayon/spandex Ponte. It has a bateau neckline, princess seams and is above the knee. It's black and comes in sizes 4-16.
http://www1.macys.com/index.ognc

2. Leggings have exploded into endless variations, colors and designs. Leggings are an inexpensive way to update your wardrobe. Some of these selections are dressier than others and make different statements that are either softer or a little rougher edged. I prefer to wear my leggings under a tunic, a long sweater or top and paired with fun socks and flats since I'm curvy:

Miley Cyrus & Max Azaria has several varieties at Walmart or on-line. Here're two choices;

Miley Cyrus & Max Azria's Juniors Lace-Trim Capri Leggings are $6.00 in shadow or black. They come in sizes s-l and are capri length with lace trim. They're cotton and spandex.

Miley Cyrus & Max Azria's Juniors Slinky Ankle Leggings are shiny black polyester and spandex. They're ankle length. They're $10.00.

Norma Kamali's Women's Leggings are also at Walmart or on-line. They're $10.00 and come in grey heather and black in sizes xs-xxl. They're cotton and spandex and are ankle length.

Mossimo Supply Company has several styles at Target or on-line. Here are two selections;

Mossimo Supply Company's Juniors Button Hem Legging comes in white and ebony and is $9.99. They come in sizes xs-xl for the white and xs-xxl for the ebony. They're 95% cotton and are ankle length.

Mossimo Supply Company's Junior Core Leggings come in blue, grey, ebony and hardware grey. They're $6.00 and are available in sizes s-xxl. They're 95% cotton and 5% spandex and come in capri length.

Simply Vera Vera Wang also has several choices at Kohl's and one of those selections
is;

Simply Vera Vera Wang's Metallic Leggings are $16.00 and come in olive and purple. They're available in sizes 1-3 and are nylon/spandex. They're hand washable and are ankle length.
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/homepage.jsp

3. Over the Knee Boots have been developed into a lot of shapes with different textures, materials and heel treatments. They instantly dress up or down an outfit depending upon their style. They're the ultimate statement to an outfit. All selections are B width;

The first two choices are available at Dillards or on-line. The second is the more casual of the two;

Steve Madden's "Blondee" has a suede upper with a roll-down cuff. They come in black with a half inch wedge heel. They're $99.00 and come in sizes 5.5-10. These would fit with jeans or a casual skirt.
http://www.dillards.com/index.html

Chinese Laundry's "Tripin" has a suede upper with a fold-over cuff that can be worn down or over the knee. They're buttoned up the side and are $99.00. They come in black, brown, grey and toast. They're available in sizes 6-10 and have a flat heel. These would look nice with jeans or a Boho look.

Pleaser Women's Indulge-3000 Platform Boot is available on-line at Endless. The boots have a 5" heel and a synthetic upper. They come in black stretch patent and black PU. The available sizes are 6-16. They cost $69.95. This isn't just a dressy style. It's over the top dressy. These definitely make a statement and would look nice with a structured suit or pencil skirt with a feminine top.
http://www.endless.com/homepage

Sources:

http://www.walmart.com

http://www.target.com

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/homepage.jsp

http://www1.macys.com/index.ognc

http://www.dillards.com/index.html

http://www.endless.com/homepage

Still Lifes by Mark Platt, Buy Now, Wear Now(& Later!), People Style Watch, August 2009, pp 96-104 and 108-111

Stacy London, The Best Ruffled Skirt For Your Body, People Style Watch, September, 2009, p 64

Still Lifes by Mark Platt, The Best of Fall Fashion & Beauty!, People Style Watch, September 2009, pp 121-136

Photographer, Arthur Elgort, What to Wear for the Next Six Months, Glamour, August 2009, pp,124-133

Photographer, Mark Leibowitz, 206 Ways to Dress Chic Now, Glamour, September 2009, pp 109-138

Photographer, Chris Craymer, 8 Ways to be a Smarter (chicer!) Shopper, Glamour, October 2009, pp 117-146

Photographer, Hilary Walsh, Recessionistas, TeenVogue, August, 2009, pp 114-117

Editor, Taylor Tomasi Hill, Shopping Spree, TeenVogue, August, pp 118-121

Editor, Jane Keltner, Fall Fashion Top 12, TeenVogue, September 2009, pp, 115-152

Blue Crush, TeenVogue, October 2009, p 104