Fashion month is well underway - no, not in Boston. After New York Fashion Week wrapped up, it was off to London, Milan and Paris for the industry's fashion editrixes. As the shows trickle out, the spring collections in New York, London and Milan have been a mixed bag. The usual coveted tickets like PrabalGurung - you may have seen his collaboration with J.Crew last spring - and Oscar de la Renta brought the big guns in the form of "Matrix" (1999)?esque separates and show?stopping ball gowns, respectively. It remains ever disappointing that the industry returns from a series of spring fashion weeks only to be hit smack in the face by cool fall weather that promises freezing temperatures shortly thereafter. So, in the spirit of philosopher Coleridge's willing suspense of disbelief, let's take a moment and jump into balmy spring breezes to evaluate the best trends for 2013.
Though a foggy haze settles around Fashion Week after the umpteenth show, trends do emerge that magazine editors and store buyers alike can zero in on. The first trend of note would have to be glow in the dark. Though Alexander Wang, the wunderkind commercial success, received the most press for his blackout look, Taiwanese designer Jen Kao showed her collection before Wang did and employed his same theme as she trotted models down an eerily aglow, black lit runway. Both Kao and Wang's clothes focused on linear lines, shapes and a hint of sportiness. Unfortunately for Kao, the Wang?gang swooned for days, made the front page of Women's Wear Daily and will now be a big hit in Barney's. Trendy is as trendy does.
Next on the trend list - ladies, you can prepare your ranting - was the infamous crop top. I have spoken on this before, and much to many people's chagrin - notably anyone without a size 00 waist - the crop top cropped back up on the runways. The Ruffian Boys reworked a baby blue toile version - prim and proper, my ass - with thick straps that was paired with Bermuda shorts and Chucks. Sort of a "Let them eat cake, but really you shouldn't" approach to dressing. DKNY, Charlotte Ronson, the queen of casual dressing and a whole other slew of designers showed the look. To be fair, the runway styling somehow attains a demure look when paired with super high?waisted trousers and skirts. Regardless, it's not a work? or even class?appropriate look.
Next, melon everything. Pantone Universe, the trend?forecasting body that decides the top colors for each season, may not have declared melon the color of the Spring 2013, but my guess is this juicy, eat?me hue will be up there. Noon by Noor, VPL - why yes, VPL does stand for Visible Panty Lines, how did you guess? - and Karen Walker showed this hue either as a stand?alone look or mixed into other pieces. Noon by Noor especially killed it with its silk tuxedo look and perfectly matching melon feathers on the shoulders. Birds of a fashion feather flock together.
Finally, the last major trend spotted was jeweled collars. These have been fashionable since about fall of last year when Louis Vuitton did those body?armor inspired gold collar necklaces that spawned a thousand Bloomingdales copies. Peter Som recreated the look for spring in soft pastels and sparkly rhinestones on the collars of button downs and prim dresses. I especially find this look appealing because of the formality of it. It eliminates the need for gobs of jewelry while still adding sparkle to a work outfit. Practical? For once, I adore it.
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Elizabeth Landers is a senior majoring in political science. She can be reached at Elizabeth.Landers@tufts.edu.
