Fashion Forum

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 TRENDS

• Ethno Mix: Natural textures, earthly treasures (wood, shells, etc.), global prints
• Poetry in Motion: Feminine, flowing, flirty dresses, full skirts, delicate looks, florals, ombre, sheer fabrics; goddess-like dresses with drapey fabrics
• Modern Mania: Shocking brights and near neons. Mix them with black, brown or white to make them look new and fresh.
• Urban Chic: Powerful, no- nonsense executive wear - blazers, trenchcoats, shirtwaists, safari pantsuits, high-waisted "Katherine Hepburn" pants
• Nautical: Nautical colors, sailor pants. blazers
• Green/Organic: Look for organic fabrics and dyes, fabrics made from recycled plastic and shoe soles in recycled rubber and hemp.

COLORS

• Lots of white! Mix with various shades of cream and ivory.
• Saturated (Bright) Colors: electric/cobalt blue,canary yellow,orange,lime green, fuchsia,purple and red (see "Trends" above for ways to wear)
• Color blocking of brights
• Metallics: copper,rose gold, pink champagne

HEELS & TOES

Heels:

• Dual-wrapped wedge: ½ wooden stacked, ½ leather or fabric (very innovative!)
• Cone-shaped heels, high and low
• Chunkier, straight up-and-down heels

Toes:

• Trend is towards rounder and squared-off toes but pointy-toed still in fashion
• Peep toes for both pumps and flats
• Cap toes on flats, especially in patent

SHOE STYLES

Pumps:

• With higher, stockier heels, platforms and peep toes
• Slingbacks
• T-straps (sometimes with baubles)
• Ankle straps including low-vamp straps

Sandals:

• Especially super-super-flat and high heel Greek goddess/ gladiator type
• Flat T-strap (sometimes with baubles)
• Flat ankle strap

Flats:

• Quilted Chanel-looking flats with cap toes in patent
• Look for flats with peep toes, laser cut-outs and/or ankle straps

Shoe-Boots:

• Spring ankle boots with revealing peep toes and cutouts
• Rain boots (Wellies)

Wedges/Espadrilles:

• Still going strong but with new detailing (see below)

DETAILS/HARDWARE

• Multi-textural (fabric and leather mixed, etc.)
• Floral embellishments
• Natural embellishments (wood beads, shells)
• Fringe
• Quilting
• Cut outs (lasered)
• Sailor's knots
• Buckles
• Square metal studs
• Corseted lace-ups on shoe boot vamps

FABRICS

• Tropical prints
• Animal prints: Snake skins, zebra, leopard, with giraffe being the newest.
• Patent leather. Also, look for color-changing patent
• Cork on heels and wedges
• Lucite heels and wedges

ACCESSORIES

• Clutches
• Fold-over clutches (the 70's?)
• Slouchy hobos bags
• Necklaces with charms and beads
• The brooch is making a comeback

COSMETICS

• Red matte lips
• Cat eyes
• Neons and metallics for nails