Fashion
Columnist offers advice on latest fashion trends
March 10, 2011
Karlie, Freja, Arizona, Jac, Anja, Kasia, and many others have stormed down runways over the past month beginning in New York, moving to London, then to Milan, and finally ending the fashion celebration Wednesday in Paris, dazzling the world with the Autumn/Winter 2011 collections.
Designers this season showed many looks that are actually applicable in a UW-River Falls student’s current wardrobe. So step out of the sweats and add some of these fun fashion favorites that ruled the runway and make it your way.
While many lust-worthy items seen on the catwalk will break the typical student’s bank account, there are three minor touches that can easily be found and achieved with only simple updates to the wardrobe.
The three that instantly caught my eye were tights, nude lips and statement coats, and all will enhance your look easily without putting a dent in your wallet.
Tights.
With spring just around the corner, the sidewalks are now clearer and the idea of being able to wear summery sundresses has inhabited the minds of many. But with snow still on the ground and the warmer weather still weeks away, dresses, skirts, and shorts get left behind until the weather cooperates. Yet with the addition of tights, these garments can come out to play.
Some designers went all out with Anna Sui sending wild printed tights down her runway, and Betsey Johnson going in the direction of Leopard print tights, solid color tights are the more affordable and simple option for students.
Emanuel Ungaro paired shiny opaque black tights with contrasting colored shoes, which is a great way to show off those cute spring shoes while it is still a little chilly. Badgley Mischka sent opaque black tights and also deep charcoal pairs down the runway, both which added instant glam to the outfit.
Instead of tossing on the same jeans or sweats before running to class bring out some spring clothes by putting opaque tights on underneath to keep your legs warm.
Nude Lips.
The fall shows usually experiment with bold lip colors, but this season there was a little surprise. Christian Dior and Roksanda Ilinic still kept deep red lips in their makeup kit, pairing them with loose glossy waves and it was beyond incredibly chic. But the color that kept editors and stylists on their toes this year was in fact no color.
Nude lips were spotted at numerous shows including Oscar de la Renta, Alexander Wang, and Carolina Herrera, all with the intention of bringing the focus to other striking features on the model. Oscar de la Renta kept clean eyes and lips to show off bold brows instead.
Decadent smokey eyes were found at Alexander Wang and when he paired with nude lips, the effect was absolutely lust-worthy. This look is easy to achieve if you are running to class because after doing up your eyes in a subtle smokey look just swipe on either some nude lipstick or even just a touch of matte lip balm to let your natural lip color shine through.
Another easy update, and beyond gorgeous look that is simple to do before running off to class was shown by Carolina Herrera. Eyes were wing tipped with black liquid liner, which had a sixties feel when alone, but then with the addition of the nude lips, the final product was modern and very minimalistic.
Statement Coat.
Coats, coats, coats! They were seen on every runway this season in so many different ways and colors it was apparent that coming this fall, a statement coat is the way to stand out and a definite must have. I am currently lusting after a Andrew Gn gleaming navy trench that was ridiculously glam along with the crisp white coats Elie Tahari sent down the runway.
Since it unfortunately is still a little chilly, wearing a coat is the smart idea, but with all the sales right now, you can pick up an inexpensive one that is still incredibly glam. Then when fall rolls around, you will have a coat that is a declaration of your fashionable sense by being right on trend.
If you are looking for ideas, many designers had beyond amazing coats that will practically make you want fall to arrive sooner than you previously thought.
Burberry of course showcased a plethora of dreamy trenches, that made me swoon, along with Anna Sui, who sent the most cozy, patterned bombers down the runway that had adorable fur trimmed hoods. Emilio Pucci had a completely breathtaking navy embroidered swing jacket, that was so fantastic it might even make me save my pennies so it can be added to my closet.
What’s great is that right now coats are on sale because stores are bringing in all the new spring merchandise. So by picking up an inexpensive coat, you can go for style and keep the more functional coat for those uber cold days.
Anna Gushue is a student at UW-River Falls.