Peplum, Platforms and More
In the world of fashion, we know that trends come and go. Some stay longer than others, some become classics and others we can just do without. As summer approaches its inevitable end and fall makes its welcome debut, I thought I would wrap up some of the trends I would be happy to see go with summer, and some trends I’m looking forward to seeing with the resurgence of cooler air.
I’m over it
There are some trends that I initially loved, but throughout the months have grown tired of seeing. While I see many women who pull of these items really well and look fabulous in them, here are some trends I’m looking forward to becoming passé.
Peplum
There was a time when I really loved peplum. I thought it was figure flattering, cutesy, sexy in just the right way and just plain chic. While I love every one of these looks, I have to admit that I’ve been unable to find a single peplum top or dress that has fit my body. Maybe it’s because I’m a little curvy and the extra emphasis on the waist just doesn’t work on me. Or maybe it’s because I’m petite with short legs and the proportion of peplums just don’t fit my natural waistline. Whatever the issue, peplum has not worked for me, no matter how much I’ve wanted it to. So while I love this look on women who can pull it off, it’s a trend that has disappointed me and that I’ll be happy to see replaced with something that works better for my body!
Platform heels
I remember when the addition of the platform to the pump was a new and exciting thing. But I have to say, after months of teetering on the top of my toes and constantly feeling off balance while walking the city streets, I’ll be happy to see this trend pass. I remember my classic, level pump days. No platform. No extra height. No precautionary measures. I thought I was a pro at walking in heels until these dreaded platform pumps entered my life. Granted, I can still strut my stuff in these! But I think some of the grace and beauty of the heel is compromised when you add this extra — and in my opinion, unnecessary — height. Give me my pointy-toed, patent leather pumps over the platformed heel any day. And really, that’s all the class and elegance a lady needs from her shoe anyway.
Dipped hems
Again, this is a trend I was crazy about when I first discovered it. It’s still a look I resort to from time to time, but it’s one that has me uninspired. Dipped hems are a gift because they show off your legs while keeping your thighs and behind covered. They offer a little bit of leg, while maintaining some level of modesty. And yet, I feel myself avoiding them. Perhaps it’s because you can find dipped hems on just about everything, from t-shirts to skirts and gowns. Personally, it would be nice to see something new and innovative come along to sweep these dipped hems aside.
Looking forward
While I’m eager to see peplum, platforms and dipped hems leave the style scene, there are a few trends I am looking forward to seeing, especially for fall and winter. Unlike the aforementioned transient trends, the following styles are, in my opinion, classic, but still fresh and able to mix well with already existing closets.
Winter whites
Ever since I saw the first fall/winter 2013 runway designs, I’ve been seeing winter whites everywhere. I like color palette trends because it’s relatively easy to find items already within your closet to stay stylistically relevant. A simple color, white, when worn in uniformity, is quite striking. Thinking ahead to those gloomy, grey days of winter, a pure, immaculate white ensemble will surely keep you standing apart from the crowd. This is a trend I look forward to wearing and witnessing in D.C.
Slouchy trousers
I’m a mini-dress girl. With a petite frame and short legs, minis have always been a friend to lengthen my legs. But I’ve recently had a newfound appreciation for trousers, and especially the slouchy trouser. This fall, try trading in your jeans, khaki pants and suit bottoms for leg lengthening slouchy trousers. I’ve had a hard time pulling of the high-waisted trend, but the slouchy trouser is a look that can truly work on any body and frame. Also, trousers are a great wardrobe item that you can incorporate into your work wear and that transitions well into night wear. Pair your trousers with a cute blouse and blazer and head to the office. Lose the blazer, keep the blouse, pair it with a pair of pretty pumps or ankle boots, and you’ve got yourself a cute going out look. I also love the fact that it offers a touch of androgyny to a woman’s wardrobe, and I’ve always been a fan of that!
Leather
The leather jacket is a staple in any wardrobe. Throughout the summer I actually saw a lot of light leather designed for warm weather. These will be great transition pieces into fall as you add layers to your looks. I love leather because the material itself lends an automatically edgy look. It’s structured. It lasts. And it works with anything. But I usually stick to jackets and haven’t ventured further than that with leather. The top left All Saints split leather skirt is something I would definitely try, though. The side zipper slit is sexy, while still being edgy enough to not be seductive. And leather pants? Maybe one of these days I’ll graduate to those. In the meantime, they’re still great to look at.
Liz Parker is a NOVA girl with a long love affair with Washington, D.C. A self-proclaimed Washingtonian, she spends her days and nights coffee shop hopping and wandering around the city. She’s fascinated with street-style fashion and has a soft spot for thrift and vintage shops.
I’m with you on everything but the slouchy trousers. As for dipped hems, if you want to show some leg, I’ve always thought the side split skirt was much sexier, as I get to see more of your legs when you’re in motion. (That’s if both the spit and you have some subtlety, unlike Angelina circa 2012 Oscars … Please tell me she didn’t ruin it for everyone.)
I agree with on the side split skirt, or the long side slits. That’s infinitely sexier and more womanly than dipped hems. (We’re willing to forgive Angelina anything). But I’m sticking to my slouchy trousers! As a woman, it’s so difficult to find a pair of pants that are at once fashionable and comfortable, or work and play appropriate. Is it just because men like to see a little leg, or shapeliness to a woman’s body? 😉 I’m interested to know why so many men I meet are opposed to women’s trousers!
I just don’t believe I’ve ever thought, “Wow, she’s so hot in those slouchy trousers!”
Okay, you asked a serious question in there, and I’ll try to answer it. I believe most straight men think of fashion as something useful for portraying an image to the world. If you’re wearing something form fitting with a slit up to your hip bone, you are clearly trying to look attractive. But (and I may be giving us too much credit, but I think most men realize this), that look opens you up to objectification. So a lot of professional women will go with the pants suit (which can be cut and fitted to show the shape and form of your body, but typically deaccentuates sexuality). There are ways to look both sexy and professional. And then there are slouchy trousers. They hide your curves AND look more grunge-sloppy than clean-cut, tailored and professional. We’d like to believe you’d wear them for comfort, but women wear 6 inch stilettos to make your legs look good, and so we have a hard time believing fashion-conscious women wear anything just for comfort.
So basically, slouchy trousers are a reminder that we just don’t understand women. On the other hand, maybe you rock slouchy trousers in a way I’ve never seen. 😉
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