The calendar and the weather are telling us that Spring 2024 is arriving. The runway shows are finished for Fall 2024. Let’s tuck the trends from the shows as well as the street styles seen into our memory bank and pull them out when we are ready to look for new items for fall. I’ll pick this up again when fall merchandise is landing in the stores. At that time, I will photograph what is going on at retailers.

NEW YORK…PARIS…LONDON…MILAN…as well as thoughts from Australia and Copenhagen

Transparency- lots of sheer tops are already out and will get stronger. There are lots of sheer skirts. Some skirts and dresses are partially lined. Some are so transparent that high waisted panties are visible underneath! This story will be highly visible (no pun intended!) through this spring and summer. There will be many variations on the transparency theme -“see through it”-several layers of translucent fabric creating depth. No pants, no problem!! Hot pants return!!

In formal wear- You will see large full skirts and off the shoulder tops on floor length dresses.

Preppy looks- There will be many preppy inspired looks-Cable knit sweaters, Varsity sweaters, pleated tennis skirts, white button-down shirts, short and long sleeve polos layered under t-shirts, light knit sweaters and oversized blazers.

Plaid skirts and matching blazers. Jackets are oversized. Some jackets also have bold sloping shoulder lines.

The Canadian Tuxedo-head to toe denim. Structured denim jackets with matching jeans. Legs are both straight and as well as wide.

Menswear inspired fashion. Neckties will be front and center as an accessory.

“Wild things”- furry and feathery accessories (both shoes and bags) and will be used as trim on garments.

Fringe on jackets and skirts and dresses.

In outerwear- Faux Fur, cool Trenches (signature of the season), capes.

Bold over the knee boots-do you think Taylor Swift and Beyonce are influencers here??

Bright tights.

Metallic Gold coming on for Fall 2024.

Belts and Buckles- edgy looks on shoes and accessories as well as bold details on dress straps. Buckles will be seen at the neckline rather than at the waist as you would expect.

Frills and ruffles-neck, sleeves, down the side of a garment, at the waist.

Red continues. Expect Crimson Red to deepen to Burgundy. But there will also be delicate colors-blush pink, mint green, powder blue.

Also expect to see cool, quiet luxury looks in chocolate and creams, grays and dark greens. You will see edgy outfits in monochromatic colors which shout out confidence.

I think that’s enough to think about for now, right? More to follow in the months ahead when stores receive their fall merchandise.

In the meantime, HAPPY SPRING!!

Talk about high energy! This morning was The Beauty Trend Show at Nordstrom. The store opened at 7:30 for those who had tickets for the event. A light breakfast was available for all to enjoy. The cost of the ticket was $25.00 but everyone got a $25.00 gift card in the “goodie bag” which was a canvas tote bag. In the bag one also found an assortment of samples. There are always great “goodie bags” at Nordstrom’s events. My favorite goodies are the fragrance samples. I love trying out a new scent. After the show if you previously made an appointment, you could get a facial, skin care advice or make up instruction. To say the least, the joint was jumping!! The DJ’s and the vendors involved in the show were all highly charged and got the crowd going. So much fun…and all at 8:00 AM!!

Each of the featured lines had well informed representatives who spoke briefly on the products they were showcasing. Many additional companies offered gift with purchase and percents off purchases.

Everyone was entered in the raffle. There were several spectacular give aways! (my name was NOT called for any of the gifts!)

Here are the companies who participated in this show.

Left to right-La Mer, Cle De Peau, Kiehls

Left to right- Dior, Georgio Armani, YSL

Left to right- Tom Ford, Bobby Brown, Dyson

Left to right- Parfums De Marly, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Lancome

Left to right- Charlotte Tilbury (2), Augustinus Bader

Some Spring fashion was also featured but I will save that for another day. Today I’ll let all of these fabulous beauty lines take center stage.

Last week I went to a fashion exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibit was Women Dressing Women.

The exhibit shows the creativity and artistry of women designers from the turn of the 20th century to present day. It covers how it was a male dominated industry until Parisian seamstresses led to the establishment of the first French guild of women dressmakers in 1675. The guild system was abolished by the start of the 19th century. The appeal of fashion was that it was one of the few trades available to women. Dressmaking was categorized as “women’s work”. The exhibit covers the ups and downs of dressmaking .

Midcentury innovators such as Clair McCardell and Bonnie Cashin in the US introduced ease and freedom in apparel and advocated for professional autonomy. This was the start of what became known as sportswear.

Women designers are featured from 1910 to the present. French houses represented are Jeanne Lavin, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Madeleine Vionnet. American makers Ann Lowe, Clair McCardell and Isabel Toledo along with contemporary designs by Iris van Herpen, Rei Kawakubo, Anifa Mvuemba and Simone Rocha. Among those featured are Betsy Johnson, Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy (Rodarte label), Sarah Burton (previously for Alexander McQueen), Muccia Prada, Jill Sander, Maria Grazia for House of Dior, Phoebe Philo for Celine, Gabrielle Chanel for House of Chanel, Donna Karan, Hanae Mori, Tory Burch, Vivienne Westwood, Jean Muir, (Adele) Henriette Nigrin for Fortuny.

Enjoy the incredible eye candy!