Fashion Trends

Short Pants
Photo: Fernando Allende/Splash

Fashion Trends

01 of 16

Graphic Detail

Graphic Detail
Maria Valentino/MCV

BIG NEWS IN BOLD PRINTS COMES IN LOUD AND CLEAR IN BLACK-AND-WHITE
It's no time for shy design. Whisper sweet nothings with a willowy print? No one will hear you. Take a stand and proclaim your presence with a pattern as powerful as it is intricate.

Diane von Furstenberg

02 of 16

Graphic Detail

Graphic Detail
Fernando Allende/Splash

Elisabeth Röhm goes stark with a black-and-white gown with a splash of color.

03 of 16

Primary Colors

Primary Colors
Maria Valentino/MCV

RESTART AT THE BEGINNING WITH THE TRIO THAT FIRST CAUGHT OUR EYE
Red, yellow and blue, unfiltered, unmuted, uncompromised by pattern-like a line of Gymboree clothes for adults, capturing more than the attention of little children.

Donna Karan

04 of 16

Primary Colors

Primary Colors
Jim Smeal/BEImages

Michelle Williams was bold and bright in Vera Wang at the Oscars.

05 of 16

Dress Whites

Dress Whites
Maria Valentino/MCV

IMPRACTICAL, SO VULNERABLE, BUT WHAT ELSE LOOKS MORE LIKE SPRING?
The variety is astounding. White can be innocent, urban, simple or tempestuous, yet must never look bridal or as if you should be taking someone's temperature.

Narciso Rodriguez

06 of 16

Dress Whites

Dress Whites
Jackson Lee/Splash

Beyoncé's got the right mix: ribbon, lace, a splash of color around her neck and on her feet.

07 of 16

Arts & Crafts

Arts & Crafts
Maria Valentino/MCV

MORE ELABORATE THAN EARTHY, EACH PIECE IS ONE OF A KIND. JUST LIKE YOU.
It's a natural transition: Boho was so instantaneously popular that it caused a near overdose. Arts and crafts maintains the mood while pushing it up to the next level.

Louis Vuitton

08 of 16

Arts & Crafts

Arts & Crafts
G. Lins/Splash

Kerry Washington in Jean Paul Gaultier

09 of 16

Touches of Lace

Touches of Lace
Maria Valentino/MCV

LESS VICTORIANA, MORE IRREVERENCE, YET WEARABLE ROUND THE CLOCK
Neither overt nor prudish, lace feminizes all kinds of clothing, but what's fresh is how it no longer mimics lingerie-it's become younger, smarter and sexier.

Luisa Beccaria

10 of 16

Touches of Lace

Touches of Lace
Fernando Allende/Splash

Angie Harmon rocks the trend in Oscar de la Renta.

11 of 16

Loose Dresses

Loose Dresses
Maria Valentino/MCV

FOR FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, NOTHING IN THE WORLD BEATS THESE BILLOWING DRESSES. BUT REMEMBER, FREEDOM COMES AT A PRICE.
Taking flight like a trapeze below the bust, this style is heaven-sent for the amply bottomed, thick-waisted or those unable to find the right belt. Be aware: If you're well endowed, this silhouette accentuates what you may want to downplay.

Calvin Klein

12 of 16

Loose Dresses

Loose Dresses
Bauer-Griffin

Hilary Duff pairs of-the-moment peep-toes with her loose-fitting trapeze dress.

13 of 16

High-Waisted Skirts

High-Waisted Skirts
Maria Valentino/MCV

LIBRARIANS, STYLISH? STEALING THEIR SKIRTS HAS BEEN LONG OVERDUE
Raising the waist lengthens the torso, giving the illusion that legs go on for days. However, short-waisted women should turn the page. These skirts will only betray you.

Giambattista Valli

14 of 16

High-Waisted Skirts

High-Waisted Skirts
Getty

As if Charlize Theron needed to add mileage to her already lengthy legs...

15 of 16

Short Pants

Short Pants
Maria Valentino/MCV

WE'RE SURPRISED THEY'RE STILL AROUND-AND THEY'RE STILL TRICKY
Generally streamlined, more tailored, tending toward higher waists, and appearing a lot less casual, cropped pants and shorts are less a substitute for jeans (even when widening in the thigh) and more an alternative to skirts.

Yves Saint Laurent

16 of 16

Short Pants

Short Pants
Fernando Allende/Splash

Naomi Watts has a dressed-up casual look with her tailored cropped pants and lace blouse.

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