Key Looks for Women for Fall/Winter '09

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2009

Gill Hart picked out New York runway trends from Fall/Winter 2009 that would inevitably be seen in retail stores across the globe. Some of the styles she noted were:

• Animal prints
• Bold shoulders
• Less traditional fall hues: reds, blues, purples mixed with neutral gray & beige mixes
• Metallic tones
• Wintry bandage dresses
• One-shoulder toga style dresses, low necklines
• Texture: brocade, velvet, leather, lace, fur, chiffon
• Skin-tight bold colored leather trousers, cigarette pants, narrow-leg satin suit trousers

The German based European Trend Institute (ETI) came up with 4 key styles for women's apparel for Fall/Winter '09:

Realistic - A combination of subtle neutrals and glossy metallic provide some urban chic. Silk and jersey provide femininity and large graphic patterns take on a more softer look. The statement necklace plays an important part with shiny metallics and varnished ornaments, providing art-deco influences.

Sensitive - Voluminous but cosy fabrics in warm and dusty tones. Outercoats take on a semi-transparent quality, along with hairy light flannels. Think rich velvets in soft pastels, and seductive lace.

Magical - Warm forest-inspired tones of brown and forest-green. Plaids and checks are given a modern twist with an ombre effect and prints redefine animal motifs.

Expressive - An eclectic mix of folk, neohippie and artsy prints in unusual cold/warm contrasts. Denims, tweeds and checks provide a splash of high color.

Overall for women's apparel Fall/Winter '09 was about staple pieces like the little black dress, textured leather jackets and wide trousers with pleating. The boyfriend jacket remained strong as did pencil and dirndl skirts, and the key investment piece was a coat for all seasons in suede, silk twill or flannel.

Sources: New York Runway Trends for Fall 2009, Key Looks for Fall 2009