6B - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 7, 2006
the b-side
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Designers go for the
bold, beautiful for fall
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By Caroline Hartmann
Daily Arts Writer
This fall's fierce and asser-
tive fashion trends promise to
bring with them a supreme air
of domination. It means the end
of those hideous gaucho pants,
Uggs will face a much-antici-
pated and merciless death and
even sexiness will be put on the
shelf until spring.
This new look is undeniably
bold. By borrowing stylistic
intuitions from the '8Os - sans
tuxedo tees and neon-plastic
adornment - fashion is taking
a drastic leap toward the adven-
turous.
The most striking shape this
fall - it made brief appearanc-
es last spring - is an exagger-
ated "reverse-eggshell" shape,
known in past decades as the
mushroom. A ballooned mini
with opaque tights is sure to be
a favorite combination, but lon-
ger versions emphasizing the
curves of the hips are no less
impressive. Pair a skirt of this
shape with a fitted top or tai-
lored jacket to balance this bot-
tom-heavy shape.
Veering in the opposite direc-
tion, the ever-classic Ralph
Lauren style niche has finally
reached the mainstream, only
now it's more heightened than
ever. If it's a sleeker silhouette
you're after, the commanding
naval/military look is the opti-
mal choice. Only the bayonet is
missing from Anna Sui's poly-
chromatic, Napoleon-
esque costumes.
Only the truly
dauntless should
attempt
;. '° this
dramatic look. Jean Paul Gault-
ier provides a softer, more
modern approach to structured
shoulders and brass-buttoned
overcoats.
Hermes leads the anti-femi-
nine pack by uniquely layering
every conceivable inch of skin
with luxurious fabrics both
hefty and sheer. Rich autumn
colors, accentuated by supple
leather totes and luxurious fur
trims complete the ensemble.
Plaid has returned to the
streets for the first time since
the early '90s. But instead of
grunge the print goes gloss.
If you presume we're merely
talking about trims and tassels
here, think again. Plaid patterns
and tartans overwhelm even the
most elegant of evening gowns
and casual daywear. Unsur-
prisingly, Alexander McQueen
is the go-to designer for these
must-have pieces, which make
up nearly a third of his latest
collection.
Not sure if you can pull it all
off? Let's face it: Few of us
can. Accessories are the
next best thing to add flair
to an otherwise modest
getup.
Like everything else
this season, bags are
overstated to the max. Zac
Posen's overtly
gaudy minaud-
,w iere and
gold-
trimmed
crocodile
totes epit-
omize the latest
trends.
Whether they excite or
appall you, bulked-up shoes
have replaced last season's
explosively popular Manolo
Blahniks and chic Jimmy
Choos - at least for a few
months. You can kiss your
stilettos goodbye for now and
start learning to embrace the
new high-top booties and thick
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Courtesytfsww' neta-partercom
TOP: Marc Jacobs multi-colored plaid wool coat. BOTTOM: Rodo auede
clutch with Swarovski crystal detailing. LEFT: Marni patent leather
minaudiere, Marc Jacobs patent leather petal heel shoes.
I
university unions-
alsmnst aso anri a
pumps gracing store shelves
everywhere. Oppressive? Sure.
Obtrusive? Absolutely. But if
it's any consolation, chunkier
heels will at least make the
drunk walk home a little more
bearable come Friday night.
Prepare to hold nothing back.
There's no room for the timid.
Now is the time to really wear
your clothes. Own them with
conviction and unabashed con-
fidence - even if you have to
fake it.
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