SPRING 2016! For someone who loves fashion there is nothing better than the season changing. At the same time one sees what is in the stores to wear for the season we are also hearing about the next season’s runway shows in NY, Paris, London and Milan. Makes you feel like a kid in a candy store. For now, let’s look at the trends for this spring season and I’ll share some what-was-seen-on-the-street at the fall 2016 shows.

The freshest look right now is the COLD SHOULDER and off the shoulder dressing.  This is seen in tops and dresses.  Seeing the shoulder peak out gives a very sexy, flirty look and a confidant attitude. Styles are being seen that are simple for daytime dressing and of course lavishly done for evening. WIDE LEG PANTS  AND PAPER BAG WAISTS for pants and skirts are also on trend. To carry this off, it is best to pair the pant with a slim top to balance the look. Pants and skirts are also being seen low slung, resting on the hip with wide legs.  A must have is an ANKLE LENGTH PANT.  So, let your ankle flash as well as your shoulder!  BOMBER STYLE JACKETS are being joined by more TRADITIONAL BLAZERS as well as TRENCH COATS.  More of this will be seen for Fall 2016. PONCHOS AND KIMONO TOPS continue this season in sheer fabrications as well as lacy looks. FRINGE also continues. So, if you stepped out last spring/summer and added these looks to your wardrobe, it is still very visible for 2016. MICRO PLEATING is also a hot look for this season. You will see this in skirts and dresses as well as sections of tops- perhaps in sleeves or the back. RUFFLES ARE IN! You will see lots of cascading tiers on tops and dresses.  DENIM is also trending…as if anyone ever lets it go.  It is a little more “done up” in prints as well as acid wash and embroidered and in eyelet textures. SEQUINS AND SPARKLE are everywhere! And it is in colors burgundy, green, navy and not just black.

STRIPES AND PRINTS: There are stripes everywhere. Stripes are in tops, vertically and   horizontal. Many are trimmed with lace.  You will also see tops in stripes that are done in sequins for both day and evening.  The stripes done in skirts are usually on the bias and look fabulous with an asymmetric hem.  In PRINTS you will see that GINGHAM  has grown up and is seen in a variety of sizes. PATTERNED PATCHWORK combines ditsy floral prints in bold color combinations.  You will see this in tops and dresses as well as skirts. BEAUTIFUL FLORAL PRINTS are everywhere including shoes!!    

SHOES: on the street at the runway shows the top look was ankle boots. NY is partial to the moto boot. London seemed to favor a higher strapped sandal as did Paris. Milan liked a heeled ankle boot.  Lots of ankle straps on high and low heels and wedges. But the best thing seen was low white sneakers in Paris!! These sneakers were worn with dresses and midi skirts!  Now they won’t be able to say that you can tell who is an American Tourist because they are in sneakers !! I love it.    

That sums up my HAUTE POPS for Spring 2016.