Trends 2008		Printer friendly version ::  Email to a friend

Indian Trends 2008 for Women

Fabric:
For Spring and Summer 2008 the season's biggest looks will be mist like chiffons and satin in abundance. Movie star glamour will be evident from not just the dance floor as pretty feminine elegant ladylike dresses, but also at the sports field. Satin fabrics are already on the high street made up into bomber jackets, off the shoulder tops, mini skirts, Chinese jackets, cargo pants, wrap skirts and satin dresses.

This satin look can work if you are realistic about your size. If you are slender you can slink in satin with ease, but if you have larger areas best kept covered, then choose satin items such as little tops or shirts to be worn under jackets or other layers. Don't dismiss satin as a fad that won't catch on for daywear. Satin was hugely popular as a day fabric in the early seventies.

Accessories:
These satin looks will be enhanced by a resurgence in the use of pearls and diamante as accessories. The satin combined with other fabrics such as suede, chiffon, parachute silk and cashmere that heighten the sense of luxury and richness, will contrast beautifully with these light reflective fabrics making them appear even more lustrous and glamorous. When worn with gold or silver sandals and other metallic shoes about to hit the market the movie star image will be complete.

Fashion:
There is a look for everyone. You can find anything this season from floaty tea dresses, satin sportswear, Chinese/Japanese styling to techno sporty.

Begin to look now for items with cinched waists and if you are a young young girl you can cope with the latest mini skirt and mini kilt styles. If older and your legs are good and you have the confidence go for it. But do remember you do need really good legs to wear a mini skirt and a lined face may not quite match the overall effect the designers intended. One way most can wear the mini is the way it has been presented at some shows with trousers worn underneath.

Summer trends include laser cut work and Broderie Anglaise effects in materials and floating chiffon fabrics often with a pale tea coloured background and overprinted in vintage rose patterns.

Look out for details in both clothing and accessories of crochet trims, sequins, lacing, coiled leather disc decoration, metal zips, studs/grommets or punched silver holes.

Fabrics with spots, stripes, tropical and rose prints will vie with sporty looks including combat pants of every style and description. In contrast watch for V necks that plunge deeply and fabrics that fold and drape in the style of gown folds of Grecian women.

The Look:
The Oriental look will be seen typically in satin, but also as dragons embroidered on the back of T shirts. Chinese ball buttons made of soutache braid and little braid loops will feature with mandarin style necklines and embroidered oriental bags and accessories. Chiffon embroidered long scarves are a simple way to add this look.

In footwear, imitation of a pair of Manolos has reached a pinnacle. Look out for thin heeled, thin strappy sandals, T bar shoes, lots of Grecian ankle wrapping straps on elegant high heeled shoes as well as absolutely flat shoes in many colours from acid lemon, chartreuse green to orchid pink and more. Some shoes will appear to float under the foot, because the strap or upper is in a clear quality plastic. Gucci for example have shoes made this way.

An old favourite the paisley pattern will reappear made up in just about every fabric available from wool to chiffon. By total contrast to chiffon, next winter will see fur continue to be used as both a trim and fabric. In particular cropped fur bomber jackets teamed with tight velvet trousers will translate to the high street well and will suit many in need of a fresh look.

Luxury will still continue as old favoured yarns of recent years like cashmere and alpaca, sometimes silk are brushed to make them airy, whilst boiled wools become softer. Everyone will be on the look out for soft clothes to cocoon in and manufacturers sensing this demand will be meeting it with innovations in softer sportswear and housewear.

Trends 2008 for Men

Men’s clothing for spring emphasises all things uniform – work or military. Safari Jackets are included as part of the military look, as are cargo pockets on pants and shorts. Look for additional pockets on casual shirts.

Mandarin collar jackets, jade green fabrics, painted dragons, Japanese embroidery and even kimonos for men.

Stripes are in. On everything – pants, neckwear, shirts! Seersucker in non-traditional colors, and pin and chalk stripes (suit pant styles) in casual trousers. Even jeans will have pinstripes. Shirts feature colorful stripes and neckwear in suit pinstripes. Pairing tie and shirt stripes are the coordination challenge for spring.

Pants | Jackets | Belts | Bags | Colors | Shoes | Fabric | Shades

Pants:
Casual pants will take inspiration from uniforms featuring heavier fabrics such as canvas, visible zippers, and big cargo pockets for holding all the cell phones, MP3's and other required electronic gear!!

Dress trousers are offered in patterns. You’ll be able to choose checks, windowpane, Glen paid, or country tweeds.

Jackets:
Two button jackets with high stance will replace three button in both suits and sports jackets. You might even see a fashion forward one-button suit in some designers’ lines. Pinstripes will be the major pattern in spring suits with some Glen paid getting attention.

Belts:
Casual belts will have smaller buckles with elaborately detailed leathers such as distressed leather, engraving and texture.

Bags:
Oversized totes in canvas, leather or exotic leather will be an option competing with briefcases and messenger bags for spring. It’s the answer to where to put your cell phone, palm pilot, laptop, lunch….

Colors:
The big spring color will be BLUE in all shades from soft to vivid. Blue will also be big for watch face backgrounds. Other popular spring colors are green (military olive, jungle and celery), brown (unusual for spring), rose, and white.

The trend in swim wear will be to solids with cargo pockets in longer lengths, and darker colors. There still will be room in the stores for prints of florals and dragons, and fun colors like orange, red, lemon yellow and even white!

Shoes:
Pointed toes in brown will be the “in vogue” choice.

Fabrics:
Superfine wools will be featured along with linen blended with almost every other fiber! You’ll be able to find garments in linen/cotton, linen/cashmere, and even linen/denim combinations. Lightweight suede will be popular for shirts. The high-tech trend will continue with spill proof, no wrinkle fabrics, and washable suede and leather. Corduroy, normally big in winter/fall will make inroads into spring.

Shades:
Sunglasses for spring and summer have gone masculine, overshadowing the unisex styles of the past few years. Blue continues to be the dominant lens shade, but look out; brown is strongly increasing in popularity. Even though the big hit are Aviators, plastic frames are slightly more popular than metal.