Spring Trends 2009
By Nancy

"THE BEARS HAVE TAKEN OVER WALL STREET, shoppers and stores have a serious case of the blahs. The luxury sector; giddily invincible for years, is facing a newly frugal customer."

"Fashion is famous for reinvention, but what does the industry need to do to weather the current downturn?"

"Some of the advise from industry and business leaders boiled down to belt-tightening (control inventory and expenses)... don't follow the leader; be bold, don't forget that the Boomers still have lots of money to spend."

"Real estate mogul Donald Trump put it this way: "Moving forward is necessary."

Be Bold - Good Advice for the savvy merchant and I mean savvy you must be at the top of your game and embrace the Fashion Trends of the Season. To play it safe is to be boring. There has to be visual stimulation in your store to entice your existing clientele to buy something new and to attract new customers into the store for the first time. Color is the primary key and the upcoming season is full of it: yellow being the focal point. Fabrics are light, airy and very climate friendly. Print and texture mix it up and compliment shape. Flexibility is key and to pigeon-hole an 'era' doesn't apply anymore. There is no borderline between 'retro' past and present. This season combines strong influences of the 60's, 70's and 80's.

TRENDS

'Americana'
Clean, tailored sportswear
Capris, vests, stripes, polos, shirt dresses, hi-waisted trousers
Your boy friend's jeans, shorts

'Bohemian'
Feminine, flirty, girly, gauzy fabrics
Tunics, peasant blouses, dirndl skirts, culotte type skirts/pants
Tie dye, ombre, crochet

'Ethnic/Earth'
Natural trims jute, linen, stones, wood beads, embroidery
Earth tones, drawstrings, long day dresses, 'earthy' traditional prints

'Modern Retro'
Color blocking, trapeze dresses, kimono & batwing sleeves
Box pleats, boy friend blazer, cowl, drape necks & backs
Touches of lurex, jumpsuits/catsuits, crystal pleats, grommets
Tuxedo looks

'Island Girl'
Beachwear touches, sheer tunics, caftans, tropical prints
'Hot' Citrus Colors
Halters, underwear effects, transparent chiffons, layered sheers

LOOK FOR:

Eyelet
Parka, Sporty Details, Drawstrings
Foulard Effects, Big Cascading Ruffles
Floaty, Airy & Summery Fabrics: Voile, Cotton, Linen, Gauze, Sheers
Stripes, Plaids
Tropical Prints, Watercolor Prints, Graffiti Prints
Batwing, Kimono Sleeves
Ruching at Necks, Waists, Wide Ruching on Jackets: Waists & Necks
Tunnel Waists, Drawstrings
Mondrian Color Blocking
Crystal & Box Pleats
Jumpsuits
Cropped, Blouson Jackets
Culotte Type Pants/Skirts
Crochet & Knit Dresses
'Hi-Tech' Knits
Shirt & Trapeze Dresses
Touches of Lurex & Shine
Bold, Statement Jewelry
Skinny Belts: Waist Emphasis Important
Vests
Boyfriend, Tailored, Longer Blazers
Trench 'Coats': Short & Mid Lengths
Volume: Skirts, Pants & Dresses
Maxi Dresses
Persian Prints
Fields of Flowers
Stone, Wood Bead & Braid Trims
Three Dimensional Fabrics; Lots of Texture
Rosettes
Peace, Love, etc. Motifs
Ombre, Dip Dye
Safari
Tribal, Ethnic
Gladiator influences in shoes continue

COLOR

Citrus Block Colors Traverse the Entire
Range of 'Fashionable' Colors

• Yellow - Lemon, Sun to Gold
• Orange - Grapefruit, Mandarin, Tangerine
• Lime
• Purple
• Red
• Turquoise - Teals to Aqua
• Gray - Silver Gray the New Black
• Pinks - Soft to Bright: Fuchsia
• Nude
• Violet to Lilac - Soft, Pale to Bright
• Browns, Earth, Ochre, Gold

PRINTS

• Tropical
• Rose Garden Florals
• Retro Florals
• Tribal/Jungle
• Persian
• Graffiti
• Animal - Zebra Rules: Black/White
• Ditsy - Liberty of London Type
• Ombre, Dip Dye, Tie Dye

PRINTS & PATTERNS

The mixes of prints and patterns still continue from the
past fall season.

FLORALS-flowers everywhere, followed by stripes, newest on the diagonal

ABSTRACTS-new modern color blocks, a la Mondrian and YSL. to modern cubism

GLOBAL-ethnic inspiration

WHIMSY-watch for fun tropical to hearts, again thanks to YSL

THE DRESS is the woman's staple for Spring 2009...driven by color, print, pattern and new shapes. The newest update to the dress is a jacket or a cardigan worn over dresses.

SHEATHS & SHIFTS prevail

Bare backs, halters, and ONE SHOULDER looks

Full dresses with waist emphasis work for AM or PM.

Ruffles and tiers abound

Girly touches-pearls, embroideries, bows, feathers,
pleating, beading, knotting, draping

Short cocktail dresses reminiscent of the 80's: bandage
looks, draped blousons, tucks with shorter hemlines

Easy DRESSES: knit tank and tee shirt dressing not just
for the beach anymore, caftans in short and long lengths

Simple columns and goddess dresses in jersey
LBD'S FOREVER

_______