Women's 2011 Clothing Trends
*must-have elements this year*
Spring/Summer 2011 Clothes: Key Looks
- Sheer Maxi Dress - a fusion of maxi dresses and the sheer fashion trend.
- Lace Clothing - more to the classic side with quality antique-style fabrics, less of the allover, stretch lace.
- Crochet & Macrame - crochet made from loops of yarn, created using a single hooked needle & macrame made by knotting the main fabric to great visual affect.
- Tassels - adorning everything from handbags to shoes to dresses and hats.
- Pleats - lightweight fabrics; not boxy, school-girl pleats but flowing, ethereal ones.
- Bell Bottoms - a hem that is at least as wide as your foot and loose at the knee.
- Wide Leg Pants - sophisticated yet relaxed, sharp and tailored with a mid to high waist.
- Capri Pants - an alternative to both the skinny pant and the wide legged interpretation, particularly one that works better with flat shoes.
- Tail Hems - skirts and dresses cut longer at the back, from between mini and midi or midi and maxi.
- Stripes - classic navy and white colour palette worn as dominant stripes, from hats to killer mini-dresses.
- Jumpsuits & Playsuits - anything goes when it comes to length; from overalls to jumpsuits, to playsuits and rompers.
- Crop Tops - finding elegant new ways of showing a peep of toned midriff.
Spring/Summer 2011 Clothes: Key Looks
70's Glamour
There are two main aesthetics: '70s bohemian, and '70s sophisticated glamour.
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; Roll neck sweaters tucked into pants or skirts; A smart printed jumpsuit is another great alternative.
By night the it turns into the ultimate socialite, with look-at-me shimmering fabrics and cuts that either tightly hug or sensually drape over the body.Look for: High sheen fabrics with a '70s disco-inspired edge, like lurex or silk; anything with a metallic thread; 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.
Biker Clothing
Motorcycle jacket is the key statement piece for the motorcycle / biker fashion trend. And so it goes that it's not merely about an overused cut and simple black colour. In fact, many a colour will suit. Key elements should a fashioniser be looking for in a statement military jacket for 2011 - zipped sleeves & quilting. Biker pants are no longer anything skin tight and black, neutral tones can grab attention as well. Leather skirt with quilting detailing not only sits perfectly with the bike fashion trend, it also acts as the perfect alternative statement piece to the motorcycle jacket. And last but not least, motorcycle boots round out the key elements of the biker fashion trend. Punk Fashion
Punk over the years has incorporated many subcultures and substyles. Regardless of these, the core is always a sense of rebellion and controversy. What to wear: Studs - wear as a dominant, though not over the top detail; Heavy boots - can punk up an outfit, particularly when paired with skinny jeans or skinny leather pants; Safety pins - look at safety pins and kilt pins as an accessory, think brooches and other bits of makeshift jewellery to haphazardly pin scarves, cardigans or other bits of clothing.
60s Ladylike
The silhouettes of the 1950s and 1960s make a strong return, with shapes that accentuate curves and foster femininity. A hip-hugging sheath dress with a below-the-knee hem is the ultimate in hourglass dressing, while the full circle skirt and dress remain at the core of the trend. For Spring 2011 introduce fresh colours, prints and light summery fabrics. Look for: Full skirts - full, below-the-knee circle skirts, cinched in waists, and prim, proper styling; Granny skirts - longer, usually gathered or pleated, often with a ruffled hem; Sheath skirts and dresses - straight cut sheath or pencil skirt that creates a 1960s hourglass shape.
Spring 2011 Footwear/Shoe Trends
Clogs
Clunky shoes, with their wooden sole and leather upper have had the largest style impact on the trend. Clogs with heels only. And not just any heel, but one of good proportion. If a more traditional, fully covered clog doesn't quite do it for you, do look at other variations. For example, high-heeled sandals but with clog-style studs. The overall shape can be less clog-like - but the hint of the clog trend is still there, making them a great alternative. Finally, avoid flat clogs; they're known as Crocs. Kitten Heels
More comfortable yet less appealing than their higher counterparts, kitten heels can work particularly well when dainty, pointed, and either retro-inspired or minimalist. Look to shoes that are dainty, yet sophisticated. That means kitten heels with pointed toes are preferable. Feminine details like bows can add to the effect but keep it relatively simple and don't overdo the girlyness. If you want a pair that will work for both modern and retro-inspired ensembles, go for pairs that are simple and minimalist. Try leather pairs in neutral tones, earthy tones or shades like grey or black.Autumn/Winter 2011 Women's Fashion Trends
Pleats
Most dominant as a 2011 fashion trend are knife pleats and their cousin, the sunray pleat. Knife pleats are single pleats that all go in the same direction; sunray or sunburst pleats are knife pleats that are cut to start smaller and get wider towards the bottom, creating a flared-out effect. When you're looking for a statement, pleated item we're tipping our hat towards dresses. In particular, the maxi dress and the very-on-trend sheer maxi dress. If a pleated maxi dress isn't your thing, look then to midi and knee-length dresses.Fur Clothing
Fur Coats & Fur Trims: The most common trims are fur collars and fur cuffs, though on the fall 2011 runways fur edging are seen on the hems of jackets or skirts.
Fur Sleeves: A jacket with full fur sleeves. This creates an entirely different look, a sudden burst of volume that can turn the wearer into some angelic, winged creature.
Colored Fur: Brightly colored furs dyed to unnatural colours like bold shades of purple, green, red or blue, these are furs that stand out doubly much.
Fur Accessories: Whether a furry Cossack hat, fur neck-warmer or scarf, fur lined boots or gloves, you can add a cosy touch of fur to any outfit without having to go for a full coat or piece of fur clothing.
Wide Leg Pants
Skinnies have a long life left in them yet; but this is an year in which flares are on-trend, and wide leg pants are there alongside them. It must be said that wide-leg pants are not for everyone, this style works best of taller frames. If you're short in the legs try a pair of skinny cropped pants or ones with a subtle flare paired with heels.How to wear wide leg pants:
- With heels. Flats will simply never complete the look as well as heels will; the exception is if you're carrying off a very masculine look with man-style flats.
- With a slim-fitting top to balance out the volume on the bottom half. A soft, billowing blouse can also work well but is best broken up with a waist-cinching belt.
- With utter 70s glamour: wide-leg trouser, platforms and a big floppy hat.
- Female dandy style - look to vintage icons like Katharine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich for inspiration.
- With 40s pin-up girl flair, by pairing some wide-legged sailor pants with nautical stripes and espadrilles.
