Fashion Forward 2008 - The Top Hot Fashion Trends
By Ti Megan Hazel

You probably can't recall who said it, but whoever first
uttered that fashion comes full circle every 30 years or so was
not too far off. This season on the runway is reminiscent of the
flowing 70s in both fabric and style. We are seeing much more of
the long skirt and much less of the micro mini. Materials like
silk and chiffon, which tend to flow and gather, are much more
popular for Spring 2008 than fabrics like cotton or denim which
tend to hold shape and stay stiffer in appearance. The word for
the season is feminine, feminine, feminine! The exception to
this seems to be in outerwear, where rubber is oddly back in
style. Indoors, though, thin little belts, hats, and scarves are
also popular and a throwback to the 70s as well as being
womanly. Don't despair, though - some things from last season
are still popular and can be recycled for this season.
Accessories like metallic bags and clutches, as well as sequins
and some of the longer pencil skirts can still be worn with
confidence. Dresses with color blocks are still around as well,
left over from last season and still cute. Headbands are still a
popular accessory as well.

Sheers are in this year as a fabric style, which works well
with the flow-y nature of the season. Pairing a sheer shirt over
a camisole with denim jeans is a great casual look. In fact, a
sheer scarf works with almost anything this season. Especially
cute is the above-mentioned shirt and jeans with a little scarf
and dressy sneakers. "Dressy sneakers" are another big hit this
year, which will keep your feet happy as you get to be
comfortable and stylish at the same time. Low-lying, patterned
variety sneakers with ties that sport the best of brand names
are the most popular for the young trendsetter.

Speaking of patterns, big bold prints such as tropical themes
and jungle prints are back. For whatever reason, and it seems to
happen every several years, tribal and jungle themes like
leopard prints and zebra stripes make their way back to the
runway. This year is no exception. Color is back, and black is
out, at least for now. Last year, brown was the new black, and
this year it is muted silver and grey that's all the rage when
you want to opt for a non-color.

What about shoes, you ask? Pointy-toe pumps are back! Not that
they ever really went out of style, but they certainly came
second to the flip flop, the ballet slipper, and other such
cutesy flat footwear, along with the rounded toe pump. Also
noteworthy is what's in store for later on in the season. Fall
2008 promises to be chock full of the "bigger is better" theory.
Bigger, chunkier heels, bigger, longer boots, and bigger and
heavier accessories on the shoes themselves such as thick
buckles and chains should be on your radar for footwear.

Of course, if we are going to talk shoes we must talk shades.
Still popular, especially with the Divas, are the ever-present
round and dark sunglasses that cover most of your face. The
celebrities, of course, brought this trend to the forefront of
fashion and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere anytime
soon. Also popular though, is the blue lens which seemed to
disappear for a while. This lens is more appropriate with a
smaller frame than with the oversized shades discussed. The
RayBan Wayfarers, so popular in the 80s, also seem to be making
a comeback this year.

Last but by no means least, there could not be a fashion
article written about what's hot for 2008 without mentioning
jeans. Designer denim continues to be the hottest thing around.
We all know that True Religion, Citizens of Humanity, Buffalo,
Seven for all Mankind and Lucky have become standard, almost
run-of-the mill designer jeans. Even though they cost upward of
$200.00, they are still the 'norm'. Slightly more pricey is
Diesel, and this brand continues to be popular as well. Relative
newcomers, though, are some of the names that were actually
around long before these newbies even existed. Yves St. Laurent,
Donna Karan, and some of the more elite designer's names are
being plastered on the derrieres of the most discriminating
fashionistas this season. As for jean style and cut, the
zipper-ankle and straight-leg varieties that were popular in the
80s are making a comeback. Expect to see them on the legs of the
trendsetters this fall.

This season proves to be an interesting and eclectic mix of 70s
and 80s styles. This may seem contradictory, but the feminine
nature of the season's styles pulls from flowing 70s fabrics and
cuts and seems to just use a hint of 80s metal and accessory -
and it's a hit.

About the Author: Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes
about trends and fashion topics, similar to what consumers read
in http://www.magazines.com/ncom/mag?mid=2632 Lucky Magazine

Source: http://www.isnare.com