By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
June 2, 2005
We realize it isn’t even officially summer yet, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t prepare you for this autumn’s top trends. It’s all about premium denim, luxe fur and eye-catching details.
And yes, it’s going to cost a pretty penny to keep up with the fall fashionistas, which is why we’re giving you ample time to save for a piece or two to add to your wardrobe.
“There seems to be no end in sight for the denim boom — the more expensive the better,” says Tom Julian, fashion trend analyst at Fallon Worldwide. “There are so many designers offering novel details as well as fit options.
“The consumer seems to have an unstoppable style appetite for all jeans that are pricey and redesigned in a novel way. The washes are evolving from vintage to a dark rinse and the pockets are really detailed, with some novel pockets made from silk or satin.”
When you’re paying premium prices for these pants, the designers don’t call them jeans. They’re denim. Rock & Republic’s ankle-length pants with a pink rhinestone logo on the back pocket cost $225. True Religion’s twisted flap pants are $220. By comparison, Dolce & Gabbana’s raw denim blue jeans with camel brown side strips are a steal at $192.
Denim designers are complementing their look with another fall must-have — the high boot.
“Denim’s being made with a new skinny fit to tuck into the tall boot,” says Regina Haymes, market director for Marie Claire magazine. “Or they’re being cropped to show off the boot.”
Denim is being paired with shirts, jackets and sweaters in rich colors such as deep purple, teal blue, chocolate brown and olive green. Haymes says the best way to wear denim is to dress it up with a luxe blazer, a high heel or a fur accent.
Note the word accent. We’re not talking head-to-toe fur coats worn by the likes of JLo and Sean Combs, but sophisticated pieces adorning a coat, jacket or sweater.
“The fur factor is huge,” Julian says. “This will be the third fall that fur — faux or real — continues to be a visual fashion story for the season.”
At Marshall Field’s, director of events Michelle Mesenburg agrees that premium denim and fur will be huge this fall: “It’s a very rich season. Paris is all about black and denim. They’re everywhere.”
Fall looks will be showcased at Field’s annual fund-raising fashion show Glamorama Aug. 12 at the Chicago Theatre. (Tickets go on sale June 9. Call 312-902-1500 for more.)
This year, Glamorama will also be known as Glam Rocks and will be presented as a glam rock fashion opera.
TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS
Remember — Don’t go overboard on any one thing. Yes, denim and fur are in. But don’t attend a party dressed in a denim pantsuit unless you want to look like an extra from “Starsky and Hutch.”
“There are still women who like denim on denim, but we don’t encourage that,” says fashion trend analyst Tom Julian. “For most women, the idea is to mix it up as part of the tailored jacket look with feminine nuances. Younger women like to wear a denim jacket over a sexy shirt like a satin sheath.”
Marie Claire’s Regina Haymes adds, “And the best way to wear fur every day is to dress it down with denim. But don’t overdo either.”
Take a cue from the kids when it comes to wearing denim. Gina Kelly, fashion director at Seventeen magazine, advises, “If you wear one of the new embellished jeans with back pockets that have sparkles, embroidery or stitching to make them look unique, it’s best to pair it with something more simple, so you’re not competing with the special details.”
You definitely don’t want to overdo fur, either. As Kelly points out, “If you’re going to wear this look, it’s best to do it in small doses. There are great fake fur collars on chunky knit sweaters or on fitted jackets.”
