Sophisticated 70s: women's trend
We all want that vintage vibe in our wardrobe. That essence of an era gone by. And we want to cherry pick the sleekest, sexiest, and most stylish looks from it. In recent years we've worn the best of the 20s and 30s, seen the rebirth and fading of an 80s come back, and we're just about to do it all again. But this time, its the 1970s that are due for a reinterpretation.
While '70s fashion is making waves and sure to continue on as a fashion trend in 2011, let's not forget that there are several variants. And you know what that means; all the more ways to get lots of wear out of your key seventies pieces, by taking them from '70s boho to a more sophisticated '70s look.
'70s styling at Elie Tahari A/W 2010
'70s sophisticate: the look'70s sophisticate: the look
There's an underlying confidence to this trend that's key. Even the more demure looks need to be carried off with an air of sexuality and a sort of defiant independence. There's a boldness. It's in the addition of that floppy felt hat, those exotic jewels, that super-high pair of platforms. At night time the hint can snowball into a statement: think Bianca Jagger at Studio 54 in a slinky gown, ivory cigarette holder in hand, and you've got the picture. Read on for tips for both day and night time looks.
'70s style icon Bianca Jagger
'70s sophistication by day
By day it's all about clean yet voluminous silhouettes, and earthy '70s colour palettes. Look for:
- High waisted wide-leg pants or flares, smartly belted in.
- Neat bow-blouses, especially ones with billowing or bishop sleeves. Particularly great are fabrics like silk and satin.
- Roll neck sweaters tucked into pants or skirts. Add to the '70s effect by layering over beaded necklaces or a vest.
- For those more daring, a pair of hot pants are the ultimate '70s item.
- A smart printed jumpsuit is another great alternative.
Daytime '70s styling at Chloe A/W 2010
'70s sophistication by night
By night the '70s sophisticate turns into the ultimate socialite, with look-at-me shimmering fabrics and cuts that either tightly hug or sensually drape over the body.
- Choose high sheen fabrics with a '70s disco-inspired edge, like lurex or silk; anything with a metallic thread.
- Add a ruffled neckline under a brocade blazer or tuxedo jacket, paired with a sharp pair of pants.
- Long, slinky gowns with draping, low necklines or dress slits are the ultimate in '70s night time glamour.
'70s evening glamor at Ferragamo A/W 2010
Accessorising a sophisticated '70s look
Accessories are key when it comes to creating a '70s look. Some things to keep in mind:
- The right handbag completes a look. Try for smart, high quality bags like a leather satchel for day, and a small bag with a long strap for night.
- Big, statement leather belts slung over mini skirts or maxi dresses add impact and fair to a seventies-inspired outfit.
- A pair of on-trend thigh high boots are probably already be in your wardrobe by now - pair them with hot pants or a skirt for a decidedly sexed-up yet sophisticated '70s look.
- Wear lots of jewellery - but keep it a little cleaner than for a boho look. Try lots of rings with bold stones, neat piles of bangles, and long pendant necklaces and strings of beads.
- Look to complimentary hairstyles like a sleek longer bob, masses of bouncy curls, or long, flowing hair.
Freja Beha Erichsen in Vogue Nippon, August 2010
Biker fashion: motorcycle chic trend
Trends begin, they evolve, and then they fade or simply become a standard. Skinny jeans became a standard, the military fashion trend cannot. So as 2011's fashion trends come to fruition, as we move fully into a new decade, and as military chic becomes as drawn out as the war that inspired it, what becomes of the military influences that have helped keep the likes of Balmain and Burberry in fashionisers' conscience? What replaces it?
The answer may lie in a trend that has been around for some time, but a trend that hasn't been able to be much more than a blip on the radar while in the shadow of military fashion. The trend?Biker chic.
And we're not the only ones to think so. Take Burberry who, with little ceremony, dwindled the military motifs that they've been known for of late down to a few select elements in their S/S 2011 collection. Much of the rest of the collection was biker inspired and infused, so much so that the collection is named Heritage Biker. So with biker fashion elements not exactly being something new for 2011, it leaves to be discovered what elements will help take the style to a new level.
Biker fashion: key elements
Motorcycle jacket
Can you imagine the military trend without a military jacket? Not possible. And so it goes without saying that the motorcycle jacket is the key statement piece for the motorcycle / biker fashiontrend. Naturally, not any motorcycle jacket will do. While we undoubtedly will see fast fashion stores give us motorcycle jackets in the now-subdued vein of the 'Brando jacket', the motorcycle jacket in 2011 needs to be much more of a statement piece.
And so it goes that it's not merely about an overused cut and simple black colour. In fact, many a colour will suit. You can take the lead from Burberry's colour offerings (above in a traditional Burberry colour, immediately below in silver, and further below in two-tone leather), or you can look to spring 2010's colour trends, specifically those for leather, for inspiration.
Silver motorcycle jacket from Burberry
Two-toned leather motorcycle jacket from Burberry
Of course, just because the biker chic trend is about more than Brando jackets and black motorcycle jackets doesn't mean to say that the trend is completely devoid of both styles. Take Balmain's, pre-spring 2011 offering for instance: it's a motorcycle jacket that is somewhat military-cum-Brando.
Balmain motorcycle jacket
So with everything from boring blacks to statement silvers having been designed, what key elements should a fashioniser be looking for in a statement military jacket for 2011?The answer is two in particular.
Zipped sleeve
Zipped motorcycle jacket sleeves from Burberry
Quilting
Quilted motorcycle jacket from Burberry
Trench coat with subtle quilting and motorcycle jacket zips from Burberry
Leather pants
You may think of biker pants as anything skin tight and black. But again, that's not necessarily so in 2011. Christopher Bailey's leather motorcycle pants for Burberry can grab attention just as well in neutral tones, with mesh side-panels and an exposed, feature zip. As with other elements of the bike chic trend it's all about the detail, and last season's plain leather leggings won't quite cut it. Panels, quilting and padding, and zips all add to the tough yet ultra-slick and modern feel of the neo biker pant, while other thick, skin-hugging materials like neoprene can also work as an alternative to leather.
Leather motorcycle pants from Burberry
The skirted alternative
As it is with other elements of the biker chic trend, there's also an alternative to biker pants. Drawing on the quilted motifs of their motorcycle jackets, Burberry have produced a neo-mod leather skirt with quilting detailing that not only sits perfectly with the bike fashion trend, but also acts as the perfect alternative statement piece to the motorcycle jacket.
Leather skirt with bike chic detailing from Burberry
Motorcycle boots
And last but not least, motorcycle boots round out the key elements of the biker fashion trend - hardly a surprise given no trend is complete without a tie-in shoe trend. Biker boots, having been in fashion for some time now, won't be hard to come by. You could consider that a plus, but don't rest on your laurels: mass marketing of biker boots means that a lot of very average styles are going to be seen on the streets already, so in order to get motorcycle boots right in 2011 look for a statement pair; something that exudes quality and style - a pair such as the Chanel biker boots.
Chanel biker boots
Punk fashion: elements of influence
We like to write about certain kinds of fashion trends at Fashionising.com. Trends that marry all the qualities of an appealing lifestyle, that marry together quality craftsmanship, elegance and an an attitude towards a life that indulges the senses and you know roughly where our tastes lie. Hence there is many a trend we opt to simply not push - stand for everything and you stand for nothing. Despite this there are some fashion trends in 2011 which, despite being unlikely to indulge in ourselves, we simply can't ignore. And that's because they have an impact on other trends that are important to us.
One such trend is punk - a trend that last emerged in 2010 and one that will continue to influence the fashion aesthetic of 2011 and potentially beyond. Partially filling the vacuum left behind by done and dusted trends, such as the likes of military, gothic and grunge, it's punk's ability to impact on other trends, such as 2011's motorcycle chic trend (the stronger and more versatile of the two trends), that makes it worth watching and noting.
Balmain SS11
Punk fashion: the full blown trend
Punk over the years has incorporated many subcultures and substyles. Regardless of these, the core is always a sense of rebellion and controversy; something meant to shock. In today's fast world, sock is something that is much harder to do.
Which is one of the things that weakens punk fashion as a full blown fashion trend. Wear punk in the same way that Sid Vicious did and you risk looking like you're playing dress ups as opposed to being something of a rebel.
That's the first problem with punk fashion as a full blown fashion trend. The second is that many of the common elements of punk have already had plenty of exposure over recent seasons as a part of other trends: leather, military / combat, bondage / fetish, ripped stockings, and tattoos (which are now completely commonplace) are some examples. There's so much cross over that, while punk certainly warrants a mention for spring / summer 2011, it by no means stands in isolation.
Hence for 2011, no matter what you read, the punk fashion trend should be less about an overall theme and more about mixing punk elements with other seasonal trends. For example, something ultra-feminine with a punk-rock edge.
Modern / neo punk from Balenciaga SS11
Punk details: what to wear
If dressing akin to the Sex Pistols doesn't quite appeal then there are still punk details that you can indulge in.
Studs
Studs
Wear as a dominant, though not over the top detail.
There is, of course, a danger with studs that involves more than accidentally inflicting their piercing potential upon others - it's very easy for them to be worn in an over-the-top way. There is a fine line between fashion forward details and chav-like overindulgence.
Studded leather jacket at Balmain SS11
Heavy boots
Combat boots (dovetailing with the military fashion trend), Doc Martens, or biker boots can punk up an outfit - particularly when paired with skinny jeans or skinny leather pants.
Balenciaga SS11
Safely pins
More than just a handy gem for getting you out of a fashion disaster, the safety pin is iconic to punk. That doesn't mean you need to wear one as a nose piercing; but do look at safety pins and indeed kilt pins as an accessory that can work in dozens of different ways. Think brooches and other bits of makeshift jewellery, or to haphazardly pin scarves, cardigans or other bits of clothing.
Safety pins at Balmain SS11
Everything is taken from http://www.fashionising.com
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