The 2008 Spring Collections are fresh off the runways of the major fashion centers around the world. And the reviews are beginning to come in as the critics, retail buyers, and fashion writers analyze and critique what they saw on the runways. So, what are the trends that seem to cross many collections? What are the colors that designers have deemed fashionable for next spring? What accessories are accenting those collections? And, most importantly, how will these trends, colors, and accessories translate to affordable ready-to-wear styles?
To generalize, spring 2008 appears to be filled with several very wearable, fresh trends while selected looks from fall/winter will continue to remain popular. Although there are important new trends that come to the forefront of each new season's fashion picture, some looks seem to flow easily from season to season while undergoing minor changes. Watch for the dress to continue to dominate the fashion scene, although the basic silhouette of the dress will change as the baby doll look fades away and the pencil thin silhouette now begins to influence the dress category. Watch for the prevalent neutral color to remain in the gray family, while the blue tones popular in fall/winter will transition to purple tones for spring. The waistline will become the center of interest making the belt an extremely important accessory item; but also note that jewelry remains big, bold, and oversized while all accessories become increasingly important in completing the total look.
While the dress will remain the single most important fashion look, the broad range of dress styles include mini and maxi styles resurrected from the 1970's, soft flowing looks, and classic tailored looks. But the common thread through all styles is the emphasis on the waistline. The empire waistline, so important in 2007, is now combined with a slimmer skirt thus creating a more slenderizing look replacing the puffy baby doll look. The small over big look, meaning a fitted top joined at the natural waistline with a fuller short skirt, refreshes the basic shirtdress look. The waistline will often be defined by a belt, one of the most important accessories for spring; or it might be defined by a bow or a tied sash, or just nipped in. But defined it will be! There are even some dropped-waist line styles which may be a hinting of future trends. Look also for many interesting details such as origami accents (intricate pleating), ruffles, one shoulder styles, kimono sleeves, and criss-cross necklines. While hemlines fluctuate from minis to maxis, there seems to be general agreement that knee-length is a good length for spring.
As noted above, the waistline is the center of interest, and this is readily seen in the high-waisted pants, shorts, and skirts that appeared in many collections. These pants will be loosely cut, creating a voluminous almost pajama look. And as with the dresses, belts will define the natural waistline on the high-waisted bottoms. Jackets will become longer, ¾ length or hip-length, and look great in a monochromatic tone over that pencil-thin sheath dress. Less influential, but still important are vested looks, uniform looks, and touches of fur making the season very interesting, yet translatable to the ready-to-wear market.
The Pantone Color Institute has released the Fashion Color Report for spring 2008 which is made up of fresh bright tones and versatile neutrals making for creative color combinations. The one color group that showed up repeatedly for spring 2008 is the purple family. Pantone calls the new spring purple, Spring Crocus. Its pink undertone combines easily with both red tones as seen in Rococo Red and the blue undertone of Pink Mist. Spring often sees a strong impact of navy tones, and this spring is no exception with Snorkel Blue showing a fresh sense of sophistication in a light navy tone. Green tones carry over from winter with the bright yellow-green of Daiquiri Green, and Golden Olive reminding us of eco-awareness. Pantone's spring neutrals range from the complementary Cantaloupe and Croissant tones, to the cheerful golden Freesia, to Silver Gray which continues to anchor the spring palette. Spring 2008 fresh neutrals combined with touches of bright tones create looks that are exciting, inviting, and distinctive; and will make us ready to put away the darker winter tones.
The most important accessory item for spring 2008 will be the belt! As noted above, the waistline will be the center of interest in virtually all categories. Dresses, pants, skirts, and jackets will all be accented with belts. That belt can be wide or narrow, but it will be! Those belts may also be detailed with studs, buckles, metal accents, or even iron maiden locks. While the belt will be the outstanding accessory item, also watch for hats to gain new importance, jewelry items to remain oversized, and vintage-inspired to an become important factor in handbags.
Although this is a very quick review of the spring 2008 collections, there are important trends that pop to the immediate forefront. Dresses, natural waistlines, high-waisted pants and skirts, belts, and oversized jewelry are all defining looks that will be important for the spring 2008 fashion story. While there are some staples that will carry over from the fall/winter season, spring 2008 looks fresh and wearable, and should relate well to the spring ready-to-wear market.
Barbara Borchert is Sales and Marketing Manager for Jewels by Park Lane, a direct sales company selling high quality fashion jewelry since 1955. She has a MBA in Marketing Management from DePaul University and has an extensive background in retail buying and field sales. http://jewelsbyparklane.com/