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Spring 2008 Fashion Styles: Top Twelve Trends

Take a mix of many decades of style, add a dash of old Hollywood glamour, and you have trend magic for spring 2008. This season, designers added modern twists to our favorite timeless classics. Fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana wore many of these sophisticated and classic trends: romantic, flirty and colorful in design and mood. Here are my top twelve trends for spring. You may not love all of them, but I encourage you to select a few to add to your existing wardrobe and look more modern and fashionable.

1). crayola colors This season designers have added lots of vibrant hues in saturated colors like bright yellow, grass green, royal blue, red, safety orange and fuchsia. These bright colors can be difficult for everyone to wear. If you want to experiment with bold colors, start with a bright blouse or jacket and pair it with a pair of white pants or a skirt, which will tone it down a bit. When wearing bright colors like these, keep your accessories simple, so the color becomes the focal point.

two). Pattern printing, creative and floral strokes Dresses, jackets, tops and skirts will come in all pattern sizes this season. Popular prints will have graphic, geometric and abstract motifs. You’ll see some beautiful new prints that look like creative brushstroke patterns from an artist’s canvas in a light whimsical doodle or blurry watercolor abstract. Romantic floral prints will dominate the season in medium to large prints. When selecting a pattern to use in the professional business setting, remember to keep it in a small to medium range and in a subtle color.

3). The defined waist dress Spring is all about dresses this year. The two most popular styles, which I love, are the shirt dress and the sheath dress; both of which accentuate the waist area. I love these styles because they work well in a business casual work setting and can go from day to night with a switch to dressier accessories. The shirt dress has a slim, elegant and classic silhouette, with a collar that can be worn slightly up and a button-down front that, when undone, can create a deep V-neckline. A shirt dress with a sash or belt it can complement a waistline or help create one that isn’t prominent enough. This style of dress flatters many different body types. Many styles of sheath dresses can be worn without a belt, but they hug your body and define your waist a bit. This dress looks professional with a modern or tailored jacket for the day, and with a large bag and clutch for an after-hours event. For work, this style of dress combined with a jacket conveys professionalism, experience and femininity for the business woman.

4). The timeless trench The classic trench coat is back in time for the spring weather and is a great wardrobe staple that every woman needs in her closet. This season you will see a more modern version of the classic trench. The latest twists are brighter colors, lighter fabrics and shorter jacket styles, which look great with dress pants. The timeless trench coat takes on a fresh spring look with softer fabrics and fun colors. This is also a great item to pair with jeans and sandals during those cool spring evenings to look sharp and chic.

5). The Feminine Blouse The mood of the season is romantic and flirty when it comes to blouses. Beautiful soft blouses in pastel shades and prints with lots of feminine details like ruffles, pleats and little pleats. With the fine details on these tops, keep jewelry to a minimum. This is a must-have item for all working women, as this sophisticated and romantic item can modernize a classic suit and add a feminine touch to a basic tailored suit.

6). out of africa Safari clothing is once again a big timeless trend this season. From the 1970s era, you’ll see African safari jackets, khaki shirt dresses, and belted safari pant suits. With this trend you will find great animal prints, such as leopard and giraffe, on dresses and tops. To give this style a great head-to-toe look, try pairing a safari outfit with some natural wood accessories and trendy wide-strap sandals with wooden soles and heels.

7). Wide and flirty skirts Skirt silhouettes will be full and stylish this season, such as the dirndl, A-line, pleated styles, and soft, flirty skirts with a fuller silhouette. These styles will be in bold solid colors, color block prints, floral and art prints. A soft A-line skirt that gently drapes over the hips is a flattering style for many women, as it camouflages large areas of the hip. Any of these styles paired with a modern jacket, twin set, or soft feminine blouse is a winning combination to consider for a business casual workday.

8). high waist pants This is a difficult trend for many women to accept as, for years, we have had to get used to low-rise pants. This trend started last fall and we are definitely starting to see more dramatic waistlines rising to new levels. Styles that illustrate this trend are sailor or wide-leg pants. While this trend may not work for everyone, if you have a defined waist, this can really show off your small waist. You will look curvaceous, but feminine. When you wear high-waisted pants, be sure to balance it with a fitted top on your upper torso, making your legs look slimmer and longer. If your body type doesn’t look great in this trend, skip it, as there are so many pants options this season.

9). overall elegance This season, designers traveled the world and went outside the box to find inspiration for new patterns, shapes and accessories to bring that “melting pot” charm to clothing. You will see a lot of ethnic influence like clothing with embroidery or intricate patterns with Bali influence. In the jewelry you will see tribal beads, stones, thick necklaces carved in wood and pieces of natural wood. When you wear a piece from this overall look, incorporate it with a few other pieces in your wardrobe. Perhaps add a dramatic necklace or bracelet from a faraway place to finish off a look in a safari ensemble or casual denim outfit.

10). Shoes: Architectural Heels and Bold Colors This season’s shoes will be very structured with lots of architectural details on the heels and cleverly designed platforms. The sandals’ structured wood heels and soles will look natural and earthy when worn with dresses and skirts. At the other end of the spectrum is color. You’ll see pops of color in a modern mix of color-blocking shoes like bright pinks and yellows mixed with black. If you decide to wear colorful shoes in bright colors, let them be the center of attention and keep the outfit simple and elegant.

eleven). Gold Tones: Metallic Jewelry This season’s necklaces, bracelets and earrings will be in new shades of metallic gold. Rose gold is the new trendy gold to wear. If you like warm colors, adding rose gold accessories will make your current wardrobe more contemporary. This golden hue looks beautiful with many of the beautiful neutral colors coming out this spring and summer.

12). Stacked bangles and cuffs In the bracelet category, you’ll see bracelets in various metals and striking colors in Lucite. Pile up your arm with some fun bracelets in different shapes and sizes. This is a fun item to add a little flair to a dress or if you’re wearing a short-sleeved or sleeveless top. If you’re in the workplace, be careful not to overdo it. Maybe opt for a bracelet so it’s not jingling around the office.

I hope you find at least two or three trends that you’re willing to try and incorporate into your current wardrobe. If you add some of these in your classic trend outfits, you will look elegant and elegant for every occasion.