Street fashion, observations

Out and about I notice that instead of the old boho gypsy skirt, a lot of women seem to have moved into ankle or just-above ankle long swirly panel skirts just one move from the tired gypsy skirt in a way. Younger teens seem to be in leggings, leg warmers, ankle-shoe boots worn with either short skirts or long tunics.

In between, still seeing plenty of trouser suits and lots of padded/quilted/embroidered jackets and puffy fur-trimmed gilets on real people. Velvet skirts also seem to be out in force. I haven’t noticed a lot of denim jackets lately, but it is quite cold now. I have noticed quite a few younger women wearing 60s looking shorter mod coats, the sort with very large buttons in arangements of 6 or 8 buttons(in double alignment). Coats as a whole are a trend that has certainly returned (apart from the current weather).

I’ve started to see people using more coloured bags and footwear for a long time. Red bags and red patent are quite a strong look and worth investing in now before Christmas. (I bought a cute little red bag (quilted tote in the style of Chanel) at Kohl’s last week.)

Trends I love right now:

• Pencil Skirts
• Eyelet sun dresses – gorgeous!
• Babydoll dresses – just coming in now for spring/summer in Europe, will soon hit here….
• Anything Metallic… I’m in love with it!
• I still like the cinched look.. although it doesn’t suit me.
• Fur-trimmed parkas (nice insulation…$19.99 at Rue 21 — most popularly cropped)
• Houndstooth everything: I have blazers, skirts, a scarf, and a handbag in this pattern.

Suede is enormous but this may be a regional thing (I live in Northwestern PA where hunting is the premier “sport” and animal skins are always the style). I am seeing heavy suede influences in boots (esp. with the faux lace-up detail) and in jackets (with fur accents). In my neck of the woods (literally) suede handbags are commonplace….most popularly in a tote size/shape, with studs for decoration, and this style of bag is always some shade of muddy brown, a hideous combination of attributes overall, if you ask me. But it’s what women in these parts flock to… *shudders*

This is not meant to impugn suede. It’s lovely when it comes in the form of a boot or jacket.

A handbag is trickier. A handbag is generally predisposed towards filth and grime, and a fabric like suede exacerbates the appearance of those things.

A handbag trend that is being pushed perhaps a bit too forcefully is a wrist-clutch. Or wristlet, as it’s been called. I’ve seen women In Real Life carry these things…I myself own one — a white one, but I’ve never used it. I’d be too paranoid to hold it by the wrist loop, and have the zipper burst open and out spills everything…. the loop seems superfluous because the owners of these bags just clutch it as one would a normal clutch anyways. I personally prefer a bag that rests comfortably beneath my shoulder via a strap.