Feathers just seem to add an ethereal look to any outfit, and when they are all perfectly piled onto a snow white gown, the result is rather fairy-tale like. Evening gowns this season are all about feathers, but not without a touch of class.

The feathers that are showing up this fall tend to be matched with other materials. Some of these gowns can be seen paired with sheer silks, metallic tops, and raw silk skirts for an overall glam look. The trend has not yet reached (at least on the runways) tops and bottoms, but if you happen to come across feathers in places other than evening gowns, be careful not to resemble a swan.

Feathery gowns should flow around you, emphasize just a splash of something a bit different, or hardly be there at all. The idea behind feathery fashion is simply to make a garment seem almost surreal. Few fabrics can be as weightless as a feather, so when you walk into a room you will almost seem to glide.
Because you want to find a dress that is perfectly crafted without breaching the barrier between gaudy and glamorous, you might have to spend a bit more in order to achieve this look. High end department stores will carry great feather filled dresses from Isaac Mizrahi, Malandrino, Marchesa, Sari Gueron and many more. Make sure you try on your feathered gown and make sure it is something that you feel comfortable in. Short of these very basic rules, have fun with your feathers and feel like a princess as you sashay across the floor.

Labels: dresses, fashion trends

Look out ladies, the loose summer dresses are a thing of the past. As we move into the fall season, nothing but form fitting, cinched-at-the-waist dresses are hitting the runways. These new shapes are all about outlining your silhouette from head to toe. Fall means change and nothing could be further from the spring and summer “dress over legging” trend than these classic shaped, pencil lined dresses. Hitting just below the knee, this season seems to be heading back into the former trend of feminine mystique by covering most of the body and exposing just a bit of flesh.

Runway versions of these dresses can be found by shopping Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, and Narcisco Rodriguez. But if you aren’t living on a designer budget, this trend is already starting to hit retailers such as H&M, GAP, Macy’s, and almost all other retailers. If you are feeling a little apprehensive about wearing a garment that outlines your every curve, here are a few ways to wear the latest fall trends.

First, when it comes to wearing a silhouette slinking dress, make fabric choice your number one priority. Stay away from spandex, unless you are super model thin, and choose wool, cotton, or linen in order to hide any imperfection. You may think that a form fitting dress is your worst enemy, but if you choose your selection wisely you will actually appear much thinner than you would in a large trapeze or bubble dress. Embrace this new fall trend, and don’t be afraid to wear your shape with pride.

Labels: body type, dresses, style