Spring 2011 fashion trends: Spring / Summer 2011-Part Two

Women's spring 2011 clothing trends

Maxi dress goes see through

Want to start building up you 2011 wardrobe well in advance of spring 2011? Then put your money where we would: on a fusion of maxi dresses and the sheer fashion trend.

At the time of writing we've only noted two takes on the sheer maxi dress / maxi skirt trend (more will join an set-to-grow list below), both worn by supermodel Abbey Lee Kershaw with which to inspire you but don't let that dissuade you: this is a trend in its infancy, and we'll have plenty more of the look coming soon. There'll be catwalks, there'll be celebrities, there'll be street style. If you see it, send it in.

Lace dress / lace skirt: women's trend

A trend round-up to inspire you for late-Summer 2010, but also a trend that you'd be amiss not to carry in to Autumn / Fall 2010 / 2011: lace dresses and lace skirts.

Right now you're thinking that this is nothing new. And you're right; it's an extension of the sheertrend that's has, for some time, firmly cemented itself as its own, independent trend. So what follows is, instead, more about how to wear the trend now, and how to set yourself apart from the masses - so that you can bring it forwards and into a new league.

Types of lace

There are many different types of lace, and various methods for producing it - so many that we won't go into them here. The long and short of it is this: it's now less about the stretch, allover lace, and more about antique-style lace. Fabrics that look like a more traditional needle or bobbin lace (even if they're machine made). Generally, go for a wider net, a more unique pattern, a sturdier fabric - rather than a thin stretch lace.

How to wear it

The ultimate balance of lace in 2010 / 2011 is to be romantic but not over-girly; sensual but not over-suggestive. Like taking beautifully crafted lace that would have once been part of a garment and making it the only layer. The lace isn't an added detail of a garment, it is the garment. And thus we come to lace skirts and lace dresses. Dare to wear them without a slip underneath. Just keep the cut a little more relaxed or the hem a little longer to maintain that aforementioned balance.

Anna Dello Russo in a black lace dress, photographed by all the pretty birds.

Olivia Palermo in a tiered lace dress, photographed by Stockholm Street Style.

Victoria in a vintage lace skirt snapped by all the pretty birds.

Tassels: the return of luxury trimmings

The tassel. What we may think of now as a humble little decoration turns out to be steeped in history and implication. Can you imagine spending days, weeks, months creating a single tassel? Once an artform, the tassel and its connotation of luxury returns as the adornment du jour, a 2011 fashion trend that offshoots from the military and historical influences of seasons past.

Tassel trim at Pucci 

Tassels: a symbol of luxury

If you think of tassels only as a furniture trimming, think again. Tassels originated thousands of years ago and throughout their history were used as symbols of status: both military rank, and religious order. In 16th and 17th century France passementerie, the art of tassel making, was a booming one, with ornate handmade tassels representing wealth and power: no palace interior was complete without silk tassels dripping from its rich brocade curtains and velvet cushions. But once the 20th century rolled around and moderation became the new aesthetic, the days of ostentatious trimmings faded sadly away.

Now, in a time of global instability and flux, we return to luxury. But as we see it, luxury as craftsmanship. It may be in the minimal yet beautifully crafted aesthetic that's prominent right now, or it may be in a little ornament, the tassel, that carries connotations of opulence - but that sits well and truly on the opposite side of glitzy. So when it comes to investing in pieces with tassel detailing, quality is key: a well-made tassel, be it silk or leather, carries that sense of luxury and authenticity.

The tassel in 2011

While it's been a constant to see the odd, small tassel on leather accessories like handbags and purses, we're now seeing them prominently - oversized, extra long, brightly coloured or made to stand out in some way. And it's no longer just handbags: for Spring 2011 they're on everything from shoes to dresses to belts and hats.

Shoe tassel at Unique

Ropes and tassels

Ropes and tassels are natural companions, so it follows that we're seeing plenty of ropes being incorporated into both clothing and accessories. Rope detailing can either be very luxurious and exotic (see Gucci, below) or more to the nautical side, for example wedges or espadrilles with rope ties.

Tassel detailing at Gucci 

Bell bottoms: the return of flared jeans

It's about this time every year that the world at large, and not just those in the know such as yourself, start to look to the new year's trends and ponder about the larger direction of clothing. Every December we see this fact played out time and time again, both in the correspondance we receive and in the activity across Fashionising.com, with questions such as are skinny jeans still in fashion becoming increasingly frequent. And the short answer is: yes, skinny jeans are still in fashion - they're going nowhere, at least in terms of trends, fast. But while that's a fact, 2011's fashion trends show the inverse to be true: flared jeans and flared trousers are back for both men and women for as a spring 2011 fashion trend.

Flared jeans at Derek Lam

Are flares and bell bottoms back in?

The simple answer is yes, flared jeans and bell bottoms (as well as wide-leg pants to an extent, but we'll save those for another day) are back in. The reason why is almost as simple: skinny jeans have become so common, such a staple in most everyone's wardrobe, that people are seeking an alternative. At the same time you have the rise re-rise of 1970s fashion as a major influencer of trends across 2011.

Flares at Topshop Unique

Bell bottoms and flares for men

Often when it comes time to write about a fashion trend we start with the women's interpretation of it and then, usually a year or so later, we write about the menswear take on it. Not so with bell bottoms and flares for men - this is a trouser and jean style that is happening for both genders. Of course, as it is with most fashion trends, the men's interpretation is subtler in fact to describe them as bell bottoms might be something of a misnomer. Bell bottoms, you see, conjures up mental pictures of jeans whose hem is wider then your foot is long - but this isn't the style that's on trend for men in 2011. Instead you're looking for a pair of jeans or trousers slightly wider than a boot cut, but with a slimmer thigh and waist that makes the hemline even more defined.

Acne have nailed the men's look as a part of their spring / summer 2011 collection, with two interpretations of men's flared jeans pictured below. The first is a look perfect for early autumn / fall 2011 trends while the second is more suited to spring / summer and, being hatted, has something of a beachwear overtone to it.

Bell bottoms and flares for women

Unlike the men's version of the bell bottoms / flared jeans fashion trend, which is about a toned down style, the women's take needn't be.What it isn't, however, is overt. Cast your mind back to 2007 and you might remember the last time the issue of flares and bell bottoms faced us was courtesy of the baggy jeans trend. And I loathed it. As you can see on the right, people were actually opting to look anything but good. Given my strong distaste of the style, it goes without saying that the return of flares pants and jeans in 2011 is not to be interpreted as a return to baggy jeans. Anything but.

It's also not a return to the boyfriend jeans style that was popular throughout 2008 and 2009.

Instead bell bottoms and flared jeans for women in 2011 are all about a neo-1970s style that has the following elements:

• a hem that is at least as wide as your foot - the men's hem that you can see on the pictures above doesn't apply to the women's interpretation of the trend
• loose at the knee - I've already see some takes on the trend where the jeans are cut very slim down the thigh and the knee and then flare out from below the knee cap. This is a 1990s interpretation of flares and not the style that's on trend in 2011

Derek Lam

There is also one other style elements you might consider: a high waisted cut, which is desirable for the full 1970s vibe though, if you're pairing the jeans / trousers with a more modern look, a low cut waist will work just as well.

High-waist and subtle flared leg at ADAM

Tail hems: dresses longer at the back

Shirttail hem, tapered hem, cutaway hem... whatever you wish to label it, the basic fact remains: skirts and dresses cut longer at the back are continuing to make their way into our trend bibles, and thus features as a major 2011 fashion trend. These hems fill the void between mini and midi; or between midi and maxi. They cover, yet they expose. And they're a simple way to freshen up your spring 2011 wardrobe with a new type of cut.

Tail hem at Topshop Unique

The tail hem: what is it?

A shirttail hem is traditionally cut shorter on the sides, with a longer 'tail' at the back. In 2011 the trend is more than just a shirttail hem, however: it's any manner of dresses, skirts or tops that have a hem that's shorter in front, longer in back.

Dress with tapered hem at Dennis Basso

Why a tail hem?

The appeal of a dipping hem is that it's playful. One side coveys the elegance of length, while the other hints at something more revealing. It can also have the appeal of looking completely effortless; especially if cut to resemble an untucked shirt, or an oversized tee.

Shirttail hem on the runway at Etro 

Types of hem

There are numerous ways of creating a unique hemline with a 'tail' effect. Here are a few examples:

• A simple hem cut at an angle.
• A more traditional petal hem (where the fabric overlaps in front like petals of a flower)
• A hem that's cut from very short to very long - i.e mini to maxi.
• A hem that falls into large drapes or pleats at the back.

Any of these work in 2011 - remember that it's all about adding a little point of difference.

Skirt pleats at No. 21

Everything is taken from http://www.fashionising.com