Top Twenty Fashion Looks Autumn Winter 2009

This list of top twenty fashion looks defines the main features. These are the trends to follow when you shop for this season's wardrobe. Every whim and desire from the fashion shows is covered, and all the elements needed to toughen, or glam up an understated look, is discussed.

1. OUTLINE SHAPES
   THE TOP SILHOUETTE TREND - WIDER SHOULDER & PUFF SLEEVE INTEREST
   The shoulder line has widened and there are variations from full-on puffs to structured sleeves. Those from Balmain have an interesting architecture to produce 45º upward ski-slope volume - the BALMANIA LINE is a must-have. There is also plenty of wider shoulder choice on offer, so opt for a jacket or bodice with WELL DEFINED shoulders or puff volume sleeves, all best with SKINNY ARMS arms or pushed up sleeves for balance.
2. SWELLING SKIRT SILHOUETTE - Lampshade puffball, volume tulip skirts, draped skirts. Slim skirts. Right D&G opulent fabric lampshade skirt with well defined shoulders - fuller puff sleeves.
3. ASYMMETRIC DRESSES, BODICES - Glam up with off-the-shoulder/one-shoulder dresses, sleeveless/one-sleeved.
4. FASCINATING FOOTWEAR is another key fashion craze for the winter of 2010 - Slim Legs - OVER THE KNEE SKINNY WADER BOOTS. Other variations of existing trends include strapped biker boots, spike stiletto and carved high heels and flattest lace-up brogues. SHBOOTS. Gladiator ankle strapped, mid calf boots. Mixed colours, materials and textures. Shoes/courts with roses. Animal print footwear. Lacing/ribbon ties.
5. SLIMMER LINE TROUSERS - FLAT or Peg top trousers, narrower legs balance wider top silhouette. TREGGINGS.
6. TOP ATTITUDES
   INVESTMENT DRESSING - Statement Coats in beautiful quality fabric. Clothes which are wearable time and again also repay their outlay handsomely.
7. POWER CHIC - HEAVY METAL - HARDWARE - STUDS - ZIPS - BIKER BUCKLES - Multiple zip additions and/or pyramid/round stud and eyelet decoration on many products especially footwear; proudly visible zips, rows of biker buckled belts. Right - Cavalli studded outfit.
8. ANDROGYNOUS LOOKS - BOYFRIEND BLAZERS & CARDIGANS, DISTRESSED DENIM, MILITARY WOMAN.
9. COLOURS
   REGAL BERRY TONES - PURPLE - IRIS -INDIGO BLUES. A return of browns with copper olive bronze tones, caramels, tans, camel meets café au lait and chocolate, palest blush pink to red. GOLD TONES - Shimmering Metallics. Molten liquid tones, shining burnished copper bronze. Majolica Blue, sea green to acid green. MONOCHROME MIX- GREYS, BLACK, WHITE.
10. MATERIALS
    ANIMAL PRINTS - Animal in natural patterns a true noughties trend. New bright hues digital animal prints.
11. LEATHER & SUEDE - BIKER/MILITARY JACKETS, DRESSES, SKIRTS - Black/colourful smooth/croc surfaces. Suede waterfall collars. Right - Planet - Military purple suede jacket.
12. FAUX/REAL FUR - MONGOLIAN CHUBBY COATS - Shearling coats/gilets. Fur collars, cuffs, hems, cowls.
13. VELVET - RICH DARK VELVETS in inky indigoes/purples/black. Velvet devore burnout contrast fabrics.
14. LACE - See through sheer areas, lace tights. Sheer dark hosiery. Opaque coloured tights.
15. WOOLLENS - DOG/HOUNDSTOOTHS/TWEEDS - Black/white/colour checks. Fine tweeds. Chanel also have some tweedy cropped semi-fitted jackets with sharp shoulders. The use of tweed with a sharper jacket profile gives tweed a modern edge bringing it bang up to date for Winter 2010.
16. ROSES/FLOWERS - Flowers in 3D forms on necklaces, as accessories for dress necklines, waistlines and as shoe and hair decoration. Dress hems with roses and bags with massive roses are in vogue this autumn.
17. LAYERED KNITS - Longer cardigans, waterfall drape cardigans - Lagenlook/Layering textured, fine knits, wispy lacy mohair, chunky cables. Oversized scarves worn as or with cowls/snoods. Knit berets. Lower Right - Missoni knitwear.
18. ACCESSORIES
    BAGS - There is a continued trend for smaller bags. Chain braided 'Chanel' type handles. Clutches. Coloured bags smothered in frills, roses or pleats. Bags carried as clutches. Metallic bags especially burnished bronze/copper toned bags are popular. Animal and fur bags abound.
19. BELTS - Belts with studs. Choose deep, wide and colourful belts, alternatively, experiment with obi styles in leather, or suede. Narrow belts are often a fabric knotted tie.
    'MOBAMABELTED' - Wear your belt and 'Mobamabelt' it over your cardigan or coat. This is what Michelle Obama frequently does with her cardigans and coats to bring mixed outfits together. Thicker midriff waists are better supported with deeper 10cm belts and worn under a cardigan or coat. Small ribcage gals can take narrow belts. Make sure the look and position of the belt suits you.
20. JEWELLERY - Oversized metal necklaces and massive cocktail dress rings are on trend for the autumn of 2009. Note bows and insect bugs in jewellery. As the fronts of colliers become more decorative and weightier even more necklaces have tie ribbon closures. Contrasting fine delicate chains - Bezel set gems or diamonds in gold chains enhance necklines. Even deeper wrist/forearm contoured cuff bangles. Coloured gems, rose gold tones andPandora/Troll and similar charms all have our attention.

Each of the Autumn 2009 Winter 2010 fashion trends listed above is examined in more detail in other pages of the fashion-era website. You are reading an original Autumn Winter Fashion Trends 2009 article by Pauline Weston Thomas only for publication on www.fashion-era.com ©