The Fashion Statement: What Will You Be Wearing in 2010?

by Kristin Young (RSS feed)
Dec 31st 2009 at 9:00AM

You have to be Nostradamus to predict the future. But when it comes to fashion, it's a little easier. Here's my rule of thumb: Consider what's already been popular, push that as far as it can go (ultra low drop crotches, anyone?) and if you can't push it any further, go completely in the other direction.

That, or just ask around, like I did recently! Here are some trends my fashion friends will be watching closely next year.

Tribal prints: From tattoos to prints on dresses, leggings and shoes, tribal prints will be everywhere for spring. The look is warrior-like, intricate and, ahem, fierce.

Sweet Prints: The counterpoint to primitive tribal influences is soft and cuddly prints like blooms, birds, dogs, cats and strawberry. The point is to be cute and nice.

Sheer: Barely there, diaphanous -- whatever you call it, if you can see through it, you'll want to wear it. Many runways didn't bother with undergarments. In the real world, I might.

Military: Michael Jackson died when designers were coming up with their spring 2010 collections and it shows. Epaulets, braids, badges and other accouterments of the uniform marched down runways on both sides of the pond.

Gallery: The Fashion Statement--Trends For 2010

Hyper natural: Alexander McQueen can be wholly blamed for this one. British bad boy knocked everybody off their gilded chairs with his collection of aquatic sea monsters, dragon heels and scales. You may not have to grow fins, but a well-placed reptilian pattern or two could be striking.

Knee socks: How do you keep up the over-the-knee boot look going in the warmer months? Well, knee socks, of course. Next season the school girl staple will be all grown up.

Nude: Pale, soft and subtle tones was a strong trend last year and shows no signs of weakening over the next few months. At first blush of spring, go nude.

Blue: Cyan, azure, indigo and cerulean was in such abundance on spring runways, the sky's the limit on how you can wear the soothing color. Pick your kind of blue.

Draping & Knotting: Tie it in a knot. Throw it over your shoulder. Twist and drape. Designers turned the volume up on texture. The look is primarily effective on dresses.

Minimalism: Clean. Sparse. Crisp. Some designers went all out for minimalism -- the mental equivalent of a good spring cleaning.

But enough of what we think. We'd like to hear from you! What will you be plunking down the Amex for in 2010?

Tags: blue, draping and knotting, DrapingAndKnotting, hyper natural, HyperNatural, knee socks, KneeSocks, Military, minimalism, nude, sheer, spring 2010, Spring2010, sweet prints, SweetPrints, tribal prints, TribalPrints