News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Tighter and brighter for 2008

Published: Jan 07, 2008 12:00 AM
Modified: Jan 07, 2008 06:18 AM

Tighter and brighter for 2008

The shapes will be fitted, the colors will be citrus, but dresses and flats will hang around

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Tangerine-colored dresses. Sandals with seahorses. Tiered wedding gowns. Victoria Beckham's "Pob."

Those are just a few of the things women can expect to see in style in 2008.

To be fair, a few of this year's trends are holdovers from 2007. Like the always-chic dress or the comfortable flat.

But this year there are plenty of new twists to old favorites.

Here are eight trends to look for that might make you more stylish in the coming year.

Fitted shapes

Goodbye, three slices of pizza.

The trapeze shape -- those full dresses and tops that gave us oh-so-much room to breathe (and eat!) -- are on the way out, says Chandler Woodall, an owner of Gena Chandler women's clothing boutique in Raleigh.

She said some designers have started moving away from the look to an overall more fitted shape, not just with tops, but with jeans, dresses and skirts as well.

Rebekah Halliburton, a Macy's spokeswoman, says we can expect to see more fitted blazers and curve-hugging sheaths and shifts that show off our shapes.

A fruity color palette

Big color will take a big stage in fashion in 2008. Big as in tangerine, raspberry, neon yellow, kelly green and lime green.

"The citrus color palette will be very important," says Julie Jennings, owner of Uniquities women's clothing boutique, which has stores in Chapel Hill and Raleigh.

Look for the bold colors on anything from dresses to jewelry -- even shoes.

At Gena Chandler, Missoni's spring shoe collection is awash in bright shades, such as tangerine or turquoise, mixed in with Missoni's signature zigzag print.

"It's amazing for our store," Woodall says. "We're in the South and the brighter the better."

Fat necklaces, skinny hoops

We're getting mixed messages from the fashion industry for accessories: big and bold or sleek and understated.

If you like the bold look, check out the oversized clutches and chunky jewelry, both part of a bigger trend where accessories are more in-your-face. Expect to see more ethnic prints and big belts too, Halliburton says.

But you can also opt to keep it clean and simple with a pair of gold or silver hoops, a look that can easily replace the dangling filigree earrings, Woodall says.

The dress

Yes, it was one of the must-haves in 2007.

But don't you dare put yours away. In 2008, the dress is expected to be strong yet again.

"We still sell tons of dresses," Woodall says.

And why not? The dress is an easy get-dressed-and-go option for most women and often cheaper than buying an entire outfit of separates.

"No one is buying skirts," Jennings says. "Pants and skirts have been completely dead categories."

She says among the most popular dresses are the geometric print dresses, which are available at all price points, from designer to cheap chic.

Flats

Like the dress, the flat shoe -- from ballet flats to sandals -- will endure in 2008, says Kristen Greczyn, owner of Kristen's Shoe Boutique in Cary.

"People just love flats," she says.

But these won't be your ordinary, safe shoes of 2007.

Look for embellishment and color in shoes as never before with metallic balls, a funky seashell with a hint of color or patent leather in bright yellow or green. Greczyn said one pair of shoes she ordered from Rafe is silver and turquoise with a starfish shell.

"Shoes were neutral for so long, people just want some splash," she says.

Tiered wedding gown

If you think you might end up walking down the aisle in 2008, there's a good chance you'll end up in a tiered gown.

That's one of the biggest trends from wedding dress designers for this year, says Alexia Joyce, owner of Alexia's Bridal Boutique, a couture bridal salon in Cary.


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