Right
Now: Spring 2005 Trends
What
a pretty season! Sportswear manufacturers rummaged
through their lingerie drawers for inspiration and turned
all that silk and lace into boudoir worthy daytime
separates. Little lady tweed suits look hip with short
pleated minis. The fifties live in luscious floral
sundresses with exaggerated A-line skirts.
And it's a boys' world again with
manufacturers offering of-the-minute suiting, sportswear,
great shirts in prints as hip as their sisters' tops, and
underwear just like Dads.
TRENDS
In Is Out. Lingerie looks
such as silky camisoles, half-slips and nightgowns
feminize sportswear. Loungewear and underwear are lined
so they, too, can do double duty. The most exciting looks
are trimmed with contrasting - not matching
lace.
Skirting the Issue. Minis
with flippy pleats, drawstrings or multi-tiers are the
"It" item of the season.
Over It. Jackets top
sportswear and add a casual note to dresses.
One Leg At a Time. Boys are
still into cargo pants; girls favor gathered disco
looks.
T anyone? From infants to
tweens, T-shirts embellished with sports figures, vintage
looking graphics, slogans, and tie-dyes are a staple in
gift and sportswear collections.
Ships Ahoy. With seersucker
all the rage, designers head to the ocean with sailor
pants, navy and white striped T-shirts and nautical
dresses.
That 70s Show. Knit ponchos
and mod prints or plaids reference the "Me"
generation.
Stringing Along. Drawstrings
gather minis and pants close to the body.
Fit to Print. Stripes with
plaids, tiny flowers with huge blooms, rock 'n roll
graphics with vintage florals - designers mix it up for
one-of-a-kind dressing.
Unfinished Business. Dresses
and skirts go hemless, T-shirt collars, sleeve cuffs and
pants are left with a soft, unfinished edge.
Getting Edgy. Serged edges,
usually hidden inside clothing, boldly detail the outer
seams on T-shirts, knits and athletic wear.
SILHOUETTES
Drop It! Waistlines take a
plunge settling on the hips for a charming reference to
the roaring twenties. Even some T-shirts sit lower,
sometimes with a perky bow at the side.
Full 'n Fabulous. A gentle
blouson shape, spotted on T-shirts and topping dresses,
are a relief after so many seasons of belly baring tops.
Spice Road. The Indian
tunic, as a top over jeans or bathing suits, is the
newest silhouette for spring.
Let The Sun Shine In. Barbie
would love the floral sundresses with snug, belted waists
and full skirts.
Trail Blazer. Shortened,
high-waisted fitted blazers, some with large buttons,
dress up sportswear and add a casual note to dresses.
Boxier cuts in tweed paired with pleated minis for a
playful take on suit dressing.
COLORS
Green Thumb. Jade cooled
down bright orchids or mixed with sky blue. Olives,
khakis and lime tarted up with a dollop of mustard lend
an upscale note.
In the Pink. Yes. Still.
Pink is hot. Melon tones and peaches in some collections;
Orchidy pinks in others.
The Sky's the Limit. Sky
blue in combination with brown, orange, khaki or mustard
enlivens boys' sportswear.
Red and Saucy. Tomato red
mixes with pink for girls' wear, and a slice atop boys'
neutrals adds flavor.
Take a Powder. All the
lingerie styles look natural in softened cosmetic tones
such as dusty peach, pale pink, pinky beige and
eggshell.
FABRICS
Like Butta. Layers of soft
mesh in fruity colors or pastels made hip partners to all
the great skirts.
Breakfast at Tiffany's. This
season's ultra feminine dresses need floaty, luxurious
textiles. Chiffon - in soft man-made fabrications or pure
silk - will do.
Get Under It. Silky acetates
or pure silk are the natural choice for lingerie
looks.
Luxe Be A Lady. Lady like
jackets and skirts call for lady like fabrics. Wool
tweed, some woven with ribbons, answers the
need.
No Sweat. Light, soft
terrycloth in rich jewel tones or traditional red, white
and blue lets athletic hoodies, pants and minis into the
classroom.
Hey (seer)Sucker. Striped
seersucker lent skirts, boys' suiting and unisex sailor
pants a Gatsby like flair.
It's a Washout. Linen,
washed and as soft as a handkerchief, become the canvas
for mod or vintage prints, or as an elegant solid in
sportswear.
PATTERNS
-60s inspired pop art
prints
-Asian looking flowers
-Stripes in hot colors
-Tie-dyes
-Provençal
paisleys
-Polka dots
-Retro scenics for
skirts
-Ticking stripe denim
-Liberty like tiny floral
prints
-White pique cotton with a border
of roses and a field of rosebuds
-Tone-on-tone Indian embroidery on
tunics; The prettiest have tiny glittering
beads
SWIMWEAR
The Olympians. As an ode to
Greece, some designers used tunics as cover-ups.
Swimsuits, with draped tops and one-shoulder cuts sported
the identifiable key-border motif.
Peek-A-Boo. Sheer mesh
sarongs and tie-tops let bikinis mallots peek
through.
Swim Fan. Serious swimmers
can turn to Y-back one-pieces and belted bikini bottoms
if they're really in the pool for exercise.
I'm Jane. Animal prints, mod
sixties florals and Provençal paisleys are the
patterns of choice.
ADD-ONS
Would Carrie Wear It? Sex
and the City style cloth flowers bloomed on jacket
lapels, hats, T-shirts and lent a note of nostalgia to
the waists of sundresses.
Take a Bow. Silk ribbons
lace up the front of camisoles and dresses, make pretty
running stitches along the necklines of blouses and
sweaters, and replace belts on jeans and
slacks.
Gorgeous Gams. What will
girls wear beneath all those minis? Opaque tights in
bright solids, wild stripes, flowers and fishnets.
