Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Trends for Fall 2007

Although warm weather is in full swing and our thoughts are naturally occupied with swimsuits and summer clearances, it will soon be time to turn our attention to our fall wardrobes. Fall clothes don't often have the same exuberance of spring collections, but it's still possible to look beautiful and trendy while keeping warm. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York showed off what one might expect in cold-weather clothes: dark colors, numerous layers and outerwear. But of a number of unique trends also arose from the flurry of fashion shows. Here is a quick summary of some of the looks that stood out from the Fall 2007 collections in New York:

An Embellished Story

Feathers, sequins, fur-Fashion Week featured a plethora of embellishments on all different types of clothes. The dark and neutral hues that dominated the fall collections were punctuated by these various ornaments.

Feathers quickly became one of the most noticeable and unique accents. They appeared in varying degrees throughout the week. Sari Gueron used them to sparsely dot a gray knee-length skirt and embellish the neckline and hem of a floor-length black gown. Thakoon's knee-length skirts covered in feathers increased their visibility. And Marchesa used them voraciously on both a cocktail dress and ball gown, which were completely covered in the soft plumes. Whether displayed as delicate individuals or in full ostrich-tail glory, feathers are an innovative decorative feature of fall 2007.

Avian accents weren't alone, however. Sequins and beading also featured prominently in many collections. Once again, designers used different amounts of the shiny embellishments. Oscar de la Renta played with various levels of sequins. Gold ones added a touch pizzazz to the collar of a simple, black floor-length dress. White and black cocktail dresses featured bands of sequins that livened up their solid colors. And a floor-length silver gown shone brilliantly as every inch of fabric was filled with silver sequins. He used crystals as well, and his variety kept the collection dazzling instead of overwhelming. As Style.com summarized, "From beginning to end, and day to night, the collection sparkled."

Vera Wang also used sequins to lighten her fall collection, which was one of the week's most distinctive. Her Russian-inspired clothes spoke of bitter Siberian winters with thick layers, heavy jackets and babushkas (see next section). But silver sequins brought a softened touch to gray skirts and dresses, and black sequins shimmered in contrast to the wispy cloud of chiffon surrounding a black floor-length dress. Vera Wang's well-placed sequins showed that these accents can brighten but not overwhelm winter clothes.

Lastly, the oldest cold-weather embellishment of them all made an impact on Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Fur-mankind's first fall fashion-appeared everywhere. Proenza Schouler used it to trim dresses and collars. Oscar de la Renta added it to coats, dainty shoulder coverings, and even had a chinchilla bolero with one of his evening gowns. Michael Kors enthusiastically used it throughout his whole collection. "It trimmed trenches and anoraks, even a stand-away-collar sheath," maintained Style.com in reference to Kors' collection. Hems, collars and sleeves all featured fur. So if you don't have PETA-related objections, invest in some sensible and stylish clothes this fall using the warmest material around. In fact, it wasn't just clothes that used fur, but hats as well.

Heads Up

One of the most prominent trends from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week wasn't the dresses or pants but the headgear. Michael Kors continued his fur obsession by placing it atop the models' heads as large hats. Marc Jacobs also included Eskimo-style fur hats in his Marc by Marc Jacobs collection. Berets and even a woman's top hat were used in this show as well.

Marc Jacobs' eponymous collection, however, featured wide-brimmed hats and sleek fedoras in primary shades of blue, yellow, red and, of course, black. This sophisticated, boldly colored style of headwear meshed perfectly with the tailored feel of his entire fall collection. Proenza Schouler made bowler hats ubiquitous in the fall line. Although the more practical among us might want to choose one of these hats that doesn't reach to our nose and obscure our vision, this simple style looks good on a range of people and with a range of outfits.

But the headgear trend didn't stop with just hats. Vera Wang's babushkas brought Old World charm to the head-covering movement. If you're not a hat person, consider one of these headscarves in shimmering silk or soft knits. They're traditional-looking but not old or stuffy for fall 2007. The head-covering trend is as surprisingly sensible as it is fashionable. Another practical fall trend was the profusion of warm, tactile knits that showed up throughout the week.

Tight-Knit Group

It only makes sense that clothes for cold weather would consist of warm fabrics. At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, designers used an array of snug knits in their fall collections. Michael Kors "laid the cashmere on thick," said Style.com, which kept pace with the warmth from his fur features. His collection included sweater dresses, voluminous cowl necks and draped scarves. It created the perception that these comfortable, chic clothes would transfer smoothly to cold days in the real world.

Diane von Furstenberg also experimented with knits, primarily using crocheted cardigans over cocktail dresses. These oversized sweaters looked richly comfortable, the perfect piece to wrap around yourself and snuggle into. The short dresses accompanying them made them seem all the more cozy.

Anna Sui used chunky knits for cardigans and sweaters. The Calvin Klein collection also featured thick wool coats and skirts. Sui's creations came in bright shades of purple and red, matching with the quirky feel of the collection. Francisco Costa's designs, on the other hand, consisted of dark grays and browns that were understated and sleek like his whole show. Although vastly different in their feel, these knits all showed how prevalent this comfortable trend is for fall 2007.

So as you're shopping for your fall wardrobe, keep in mind the whimsical and practical trends from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. Feathers, sequins and other shiny embellishments will bring sparkle and interest to your clothes, while warm headgear and knit materials will keep you warm and fashionable at the same time.