ANGIE SHEEP
<Staff Writer>
If you were too busy with summary-building to catch all the highlights of Toronto Fashion Week, read about the dominating trends here! There were some bizarre creations, but from some unconventional creativity arose incredible looks that you will fall in love with. So make this year’s Fashion Week your perfect summer fling.
It’s a wrap… dress
After many decades in fashion oblivion, the wrap dress has returned to the runways this season, and it’s no wonder why. The look is flattering, flexible and chic. For those of you who are in a professional setting, opt for wraps of neutral or dark shades (see picture). It is also a good idea to stay with solid fabrics to avoid overwhelming your colleagues and clients with dazzling polka-dots or stripes. Wrap dresses also tend to be more revealing and becomes looser over the day so make sure you pair the dress with a complementarily-coloured camisole.
Given its simple nature, the wrap dress is an excellent canvas for all accessories. You can sport chunky bangles and necklaces for a more bohemian aura or wear subdued pieces to show off your demure side. You can also be as creative as you’d like with footwear. Strappy sandals are perfect for a relaxing day at the beach while pointed heels or almond toed heels may be better suited for the office. The wrap dress stands unparalleled in its versatility and adaptability.
Pretty in (hot) pink
I indicated in my previous article that emerald green has established itself as the color of the season. And while that remains true, hot pink has also squeezed its way in as a noteworthy contender. Many designers have brilliantly struck a balance between smartness and vitality – a match made in heaven for the colour-junkie professional! The dress in the picture debuted at the DKNY show and has already gained worldwide admiration. One drawback about this color is that, unlike emerald green, it can be quite unforgiving. It tends to expound all imperfections or even create ones where none previously existed. So for those of us who are not constantly mindful of our postures and mannerisms, try incorporating hot pink pieces instead of adorning the entire body with it.
Bringing together two ends of the style spectrum
This style is all about contrast – clashing edgy with chic, fluidity with ruggedness, and classically feminine cuts with more tailored pieces. You have heard the adage about “too much of a good thing;” well, an entire
outfit pulled from the same look or style can come up as subdued and unimpressive. But pair them with their antonyms and they undergo a major attitude adjustment (kind of like we do during exam time). Such bipolarity can often be counter-intuitive, making you quadruple guess your wardrobe choices, but trust your instincts and never stop exploring. Even the most prestigious designers don’t always get it right on the first try. And if they are forgiven for failing in front of the entire fashion world, you can definitely be excused for some odd days and mismatched looks.
The mini
It’s only one more month before we bid farewell to the lovely Osgoode Hall for an entire four months. Before sadness and devastation consume you, let me remind you that you can finally break out those pieces that you felt were just too crazy or unsuitable for Osgoode’s halls. For me, it’s the mini collection – mini dresses, mini skirts, mini shirts, etc. But what may have been too provocative for Gowlings Hall are perfect for Toronto’s summer streets. Many designers embraced the concept of the “mini” this season and this summer staple style never disappoints.
The main reason why I adore mini skirts and dresses is that they seem to have been created primarily for people of a shorter stature. Their most significant attribute lies in their ability to transform an average frame into model-like proportions. Minis are also special in that it is not a style you can incorporate into any setting; it does not simply “fit” into any mould. It possesses its own personality and time and place, much like all of us. So wear this temperamental piece wisely.
The summer is upon us (finally!) and you are now equipped with key fashion knowledge fresh off this season’s runway. With the last Obiter issue of this school year and the impending end of our semester, I cannot help but feel a mix of excitement and melancholy. But not to worry because the break will fly by, bringing this little Sheep back soon enough to continue the fashion pieces in the new term. In the meantime, have a wonderful summer Ozzies!