Top 10 womenswear trends for 2010

Continued from last week’s top 10 trends for 2010, we move onto the top 10 trends for women’s ready to wear.  Think of this as fashion’s weather forecast for next year. 

To be perfectly honest, I’m not keen on doing these kinds of forecasts because, for one, it reduces the artistic element of fashion to the business of fashion.  I also hate to predict something that may not come true.  But I’ve learned to accept it as part of my job and so each season, I go through the trouble of research and analysis.

While in the process, I strive to keep in mind that the info I gather is simply that — information. When I design or dress myself, I try to be in the moment and act upon what feels right right now, not what will be cool tomorrow. We’re so consumed by being ahead of the pack that we risk being too calculating and too contrived with our style, and totally not at ease. 

When Coco Chanel introduced her breakthrough designs, I believe she was designing for what she thought women should have been wearing at that moment.  Of course, everyone thought she was ahead of her time (and awfully irreverent) as they couldn’t imagine a corset-less life.  But when they saw it, they knew deep inside that it was time to let loose. 

On the other hand, we see runways full of experimental designs that have plenty to offer in terms of intellectual provocation but fail miserably in earning our acceptance. They end up in dusty archives hoping to be resuscitated in another millennia. 

I think that’s the fine line we walk in fashion.  When is it avant garde or just plain weird?  Is it classic or just dated?  Who’s to say what is de rigueur and what is not?  I think the ultimate test is if it grabs you by your heart strings.  Does it suddenly broaden your vision of what is possible?  Are you feeling excited, optimistic about just living life (yes, news flash: fashion can do that!)?  So read on, soak up the info, take down notes if you must, but ultimately, listen to your heart.

Ironic eveningwear

Eveningwear is no longer confined to after dark, but becomes absorbed into daytime dressing. Classic eveningwear fabrications such as sequins, ruching, lamé, brocade and lace sit alongside the casualwear staples of draped jersey, leather, linen and denim.

Cultural beatnik

Garments are quite literally thrown together with experimental, carefree nonchalance.

Boy’s department

Mannish silhouettes and tailored pieces on women

Shoulder showdown

Exaggerated shoulders dominate prêt-à-porter and haute couture

Furoshiki wrapping

“Furoshiki” describes a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to wrap clothes, food and other goods, either as gifts or simply for transportation. One of the great uses of this material is for outerwear and eco-friendly packaging.

Graphic content

Designers are exploring innovative printing techniques and super-modern processes, creating a renaissance of print and pattern. Digital printing technologies allow for sophisticated, hyper-real imaging.

Nouveau nautical

This is a contemporary take on the classic nautical look.

Lightness and transparency

Advances in textile technology allow finer yarns to be used in the spinning process, resulting in ultra-lightweight synthetics that emulate natural fibers and vice versa.

Structured fluidity

The silhouette captures a new modern fluidity. There is a softening of shape into a fluid, yet constructed, drape.

Outrageous styling

Surrender to the urge to dress inappropriately. Take it from fashion legend Diana Vreeland who said, “Too much good taste can be boring.”

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For comments, e-mail top10for2010@gmail.com.