| In the latest fashions shows all the models wore | | | | red is the look for 2005. Black silk, black gauze, |
| large necklaces and wrists-full of bracelets made | | | | Persian lamb, black taffeta, penne velvet black |
| of wood or shells and had their hair done in loose, | | | | denim, black cashmere, black jet, corduroy, black |
| gentle upsweeps. The black-and-white Beatnik | | | | suede and Shear ling add touches of sophistication |
| style is back, aimed at the 16-25 age group, | | | | and glamour to new trends. Main colors are deep |
| severe and pared down, a complete | | | | rich violet purples, wine reds, burnt ginger tones, |
| about-turn...gone is casual, throw-it-all-together, | | | | moss greens, mustard, and teal. The basic solid |
| ethnic school of style, with last season's Bohemian | | | | black and white can be very sharp and smart, |
| look making but a brief showing. We saw sequined | | | | plus grays and oyster shell tones. |
| dresses, halters and shrugs in purple, green and | | | | British country style tweeds have been out in |
| gold; swimwear followed the metallic theme: | | | | force, but this year tweed is less textured. It |
| women wore tiny silver and gold bikinis, while men | | | | looks more like Harris Tweed, flat plaids or old |
| wore shorts or swimsuits in colorful prints. Last | | | | familiar checks such as black and white hound's |
| season's Bohemian look made a brief showing. | | | | tooth checks. This is a look that can continue into |
| Many of the formal dresses were updated | | | | night with sequins used to create the contrast; |
| versions of more classic styles. A simple off-white | | | | boldly vibrant colored checks, colorful tartans and |
| knee-length strapless gown was accented with a | | | | tweeds are all used in coats, dresses and skirts |
| skirt of tulle ruffles around the waist. A long | | | | that are loose-fitting with flowing folds of fabric, |
| purple evening gown was slit up the front with a | | | | or with a Roman touch with lines of gold |
| cloud of feathers beginning at the knee. | | | | appliqué. Ironically, these heritage fabrics |
| Steer clear of flat black - the key element is the | | | | and shapes should be worn in a quirky way, |
| combination of black and white, such as a crisp, | | | | jumbled up, mixing Argyle knits with tartans, plaids |
| white shirt with a pair of well-cut black trousers, | | | | and stripes. Or you could borrow from the men, |
| and look for rich fabrics such as satin, silk and | | | | Ralph Lauren-style, and wear slouchy tweed |
| velvet; black and white-striped mohair | | | | trousers with brogues and oversized knits; and |
| sweater-dresses, worn over tights or very fitted | | | | boucle tweed suits in the 50s style. |
| jeans, worn with black ballet slippers, patent | | | | Intarsia in knitwear is back again, such as Fair Isle, |
| slippers or with knee-high black boots; black wool | | | | ikat, bold abstract and paisley arrangements. Long |
| cropped jackets and pea coats; Beatnik-style | | | | cardigan jackets cardigan and asymmetric |
| black caps; black eyeliner and mascara; sunglasses | | | | cardigan wraps and coats often have fur collars |
| and straight hair. | | | | or a narrow fur edge; Aran knits, not usually in |
| The hourglass silhouette is already a key look for | | | | the traditional cream but in richer deep shades of |
| this winter but if you don't have a tiny, well-toned | | | | creams, teal and rust feature in many collections. |
| frame, choose less fitted silhouettes, and add | | | | Luxurious rich fabrics and antique brocade fabrics, |
| narrow, leather belts, retro-style shoes, vintage | | | | often interpreted with Ombre dyed materials like |
| handbags and opulent fur, a striped Pompom | | | | velvets that move through related colors such as |
| scarf. | | | | burnt orange merging with reds through to claret |
| Pompom decoration is a designer look and very | | | | in Ombre dyed velvet. Such velvet is then over |
| easy to make yourself. Back in style is the | | | | printed in toning colors or textured with |
| Sixties-inspired wool shift, with a Chanel touch and | | | | embroidery. Velvet can also have texture and |
| in solid colors such as a white shirt and oversized | | | | appliqué and is generally gorgeous this |
| black blazer, and rather than a revival of | | | | winter with an antique vintage feel. Metallic luster |
| androgyny it is simply a question of comfort and | | | | and rich satins and the plushest of velvets bring a |
| ease; black mini-skirt with over-the-knee boots; or | | | | new opulence to winter. In addition to rich plush |
| a striped top or sweater [with a pair of skinny | | | | velvet there will be penne velvet, corduroy, |
| black pants. | | | | suede, Shear ling, leather reptilian skins, boiled |
| Dresses have been the featured item in the latest | | | | wool, suiting. Designer shoes frequently have lace |
| fashion shows; 'The Wrap' dress is making a | | | | and beading and if they are not velvet, they may |
| comeback, and is not in a boudoir-inspired style, | | | | just as easily be made of suede another luxury |
| but a dress with a waist, a neckline, a skirt and - | | | | material. |
| most importantly - sleeves. The new autumn | | | | The best styles to look for are wide-leg cuffed |
| collections are full of dresses with sleeves of | | | | trousers, short, swingy jackets and slim skirts, |
| every shape and size - three-quarter length, | | | | totes and bucket bags, flat lace-up brogues, flora |
| cuffed, long and tight, full and belled, raglan and | | | | and fauna prints. The 'in' colors are black and |
| puffed, many in a print pattern such as paisley | | | | white, beige, orange, gorgeous greens and often |
| print, on a long-sleeved dress. Prints in shades of | | | | have crochet motifs added - also a lot of purple |
| green, orange, pink and purple dominated the | | | | tones in tartan skirts, fur coats. |
| beginning of the show. Shorts and skirts came in | | | | Just remember that black in 2005 is no longer the |
| bright patterns that echoed back to the 1950s | | | | only look to wear. The fabrics in rich deep berry |
| and 1960s. Modern technology, with | | | | and gem jewel colours may do far more for your |
| improvements in jersey fabrics and stretch, | | | | coloring than black ever might. Berry colors and |
| makes a dress really comfortable to wear. Many | | | | purples will be a wonderful choice instead of black |
| younger women want an all-in-one solution for | | | | or as an accent color. Cubist paint techniques as |
| work and business travel, rather than a skirt and | | | | prints will lead us into Spring 2006 and stencil print |
| top or a suit. | | | | effects will be popular. |
| Fall/Winter 05/06 has accents of color combined | | | | Leave behind gypsy skirts, kaftans, tribal |
| with regal fabrics. Black is not minimalist black as in | | | | jewellery, military jackets, waistcoats, drainpipes, |
| the 1990s; rich deep plush velvet, black satin, | | | | crocheted shrugs and warrior belts [finally!]. |
| black lace and black just accented with white or | | | | |