Trends: Spring 2009 part 1

Alot of daring trends have surfaced lately (e.g. tie die/bleached leggings, ripped and shredded wear) there are lots of other sophisticated trends which made their mark on the runways of New York fashion week as well. Here are some of the best:

1. Military jackets:
The cropped military coat returns for spring. Usually with a structured fit and embellishment on the front. If you loved blazers in 2008, this is a great alternative.

Lucky for us Andy from Style Scrapbook has a TON of alternatives with her crafty DIY projects for much much less. (Below)

2. Zippers:

My favorite has to be the first dress below by Phillip Lim (Err... as well as all of his other creations which are ruled by zippers and ruffles... Genius!) All are obviously over most people's budget but nothing a bit of DIY can't help with. Get creative and spice up any dress or skirt by stitching one on.

3. Relaxed pants:
This spring it's all about the airy, loose pants. Hands down the comfiest trend.

The key is to get the correct fit: fitted around the waist and butt, looser and more relaxed over your thighs, and tapered and cropped above the ankles.

Cropped pants can make your legs seem shorter, here's a helpful tip: wear heels to balance everything out if you're on the somewhat short. If you're taller, pair them with heels or wedges for a dressier look, or flat gladiator sandals for a more casual vibe. Please, no ballet flats!

Because you're going loose on your bottom half, you'll want to wear a more fitted top. A tucked in blouse works for a more professional setting. When you're not at work, wear a slim-fitting t-shirt and belt around the pants.

Stay tuned for part 2..

Photo credit: http://www.collegecandy.net/