Out with the old, in with the new? Not exactly. "Buy half as much but double the quality," advises Carson Kressley, co-host of the new Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star, which winnows 10 TV-host hopefuls on Winfrey's OWN network. Here, he names the top fashion trends of 2011 with this admonition: "Embrace only what looks good on you, and leave the rest to fashion archives."
Bright touches. Color perks up not only your mood but also your wardrobe. This year, designers Louis Vuitton, Prada and Carlos Miele snowed out winter doldrums with a blizzard of electric cobalt, ruby, lime and, above all, any shade of orange. "Save such bolds as tangerine, mango or pumpkin for shoes, handbags or scarves," Kressley says. "You can make classics look on trend without a major investment."
Wide pants. '70s Charlie's Girl meets '30s Katharine Hepburn in a "relaxed yet dressy style," Kressley says. "And pear-shaped women can rejoice. Leggings and jeggings have been egged, while looser pants make you look taller and thinner, especially when you hide high heels under the hem." Thank Tommy Hilfiger and Tory Burch for tapping the past. Then top high- or cinch-waisted linen or lightweight wool slacks with an ultra-feminine frilly blouse — and march into boardrooms with confidence.
Neutrals. After a barrage of bad news, it's time to bliss out on buff, beige, white and sand this year, Kressley says. Narciso Rodriguez, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan are featuring monochromatic pales that "create serenity yet make us stand apart." The thaw came first in spring 2010 with omnipresent "nude" shoes, followed by Chloe's almost totally taupe collection for fall.
"Neutrals allow you to focus on the luxury of fabric, the intricacy of texture, the power of a well-cut blazer," Kressley says. Find outer peace with beachy ankle-grazing dresses at Kohl's and J.C. Penney.
Flowers. Bold, big blossoms are coming up roses because their nurturing nature softens harsh times, especially in this year's floating chiffons. "It's a retro print reminiscent of the '70s," Kressley says. "What makes it modern is pairing posies with stripes, so they don't look like Grandma's florals." Expect the latest bohemian vibe to endure, not only thanks to Alberta Ferretti and Target, but because "they make women feel and look pretty." Anchor fly-away fabrics with wedged sandals.
Leather and lace. Soft as butter, leather lasts year-round. Ultra-thin, laser-cut skins drive this year's finest duo, not with punk studs or chains but languid lace.
"It's untraditional for spring, but leather's lightness transforms it from motorbike hefty to ethereal," Kressley says. 3.1 Phillip Lim's leather and lace are minimalist and edgy, while Ralph Lauren's suede is an instant classic.
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