ClothingWire.comhttp://clothingwire.comConnecting Clothing Brands With Apparel EnthusiastsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6The Colors of Stripes for 2013http://clothingwire.com/2013/08/the-colors-of-stripes-for-2013http://clothingwire.com/2013/08/the-colors-of-stripes-for-2013/#commentsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000adminhttp://clothingwire.com/?p=http://clothingwire.com/?p=3936Every woman knows the hidden danger of stripes and most have always tried to stay away from that most dangerous of territories. While stripes come in all shapes, sizes and directions, this year the designers have used their brilliance to create stripes in fashion that can complement the figure. For those of us th [...] For those of us that are short, horizontal stripes have been an absolute horror. No self-respecting woman around five feet tall would go near them. Vertical stripes can be acceptable as they cause the eye to go the length and therefore bring a visual effect of being taller. Designers this year have based their stripe creations on rugby and sports-style stripes. These tend to be a blend of smaller black on off-white or gray neutral back ground, but this year we are seeing a lot of other color combinations. Burgundy red and black in a cut out dress has made a hot appearance on the runway. Another combination includes variations of directional stripes in navy blue and white, paired with the perfect bag and shoes. Evening wear is taking on stripes with a strapless horizontal stripe top and a floor length wide skirt in vertical stripes. The chevron stripe has been adopted whole-heartedly by a number of designers, blending with bare midriffs and short skirts. The statement of a bold black and white stripe outfit, whether one direction or multi-direction absolutely must have a solid jacket. The jacket choice can be based on the purpose of the outfit. For a more casual look, the solid black, short cropped military style jacket is perfect. For a business look, a tailored jacket and for an evening look go with a longer jacket in a flowing silk blend. For every day wear, add a jacket with a touch of color. Pale shades of pink, coral or even a hot poppy red. One of the best fashion additions can be wearing a striped dress with a black leather biker-jacket. The style of today is to attempt to be rid of our fear of stripes and the designers have made both color choices, patterns and fabrics a fairly easy move to the challenge. A clean, small striped top, worn with a solid tailored pair of pants and a long neutral tone jacket has runway appeal for the more timid. We all have something striped in our closet, and this year’s fashion helps us take the plunge, even in baby steps. If you decide to stick with a black and white look, remember to add something for a pop of color. Large sixties style beaded necklaces in bright colors, with matching bag and shoes and a sixties style updo for your hair makes an easy statement and will absolutely turn heads. The classic styling of the sixties celebrities always used color as a focus point when wearing black and white. If you need personal inspiration, take a view of some of the shots of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s – with her black dress and glorious jewelry. A more pronounced look for Ms. Hepburn is the always memorable outfit for the races and all of the glorious black and white creations in My Fair Lady. The use of stripes in this musical extravaganza set a standard for design that has yet to be matched. The simplicity of black and white, combined with just the right tailoring and accessories is as iconic today as it was when it was first released. Sources: http://petite.about.com/od/SpringTrends2013/ss/Spring-Fashion-Trends-For-2013.htm http://www.blueisinfashionthisyear.com/2013/04/hot-to-wear-stripes-jackets.html ]]>http://clothingwire.com/2013/08/the-colors-of-stripes-for-2013/feed02013: Year of the Return of the Sixtieshttp://clothingwire.com/2013/07/2013-year-of-the-return-of-the-sixtieshttp://clothingwire.com/2013/07/2013-year-of-the-return-of-the-sixties/#commentsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000adminhttp://clothingwire.com/?p=http://clothingwire.com/?p=3932The sixties were an explosion of color, patterns, design, art, music and personal statements. They blasted onto the scene with a generation more than happy to leave the neutral-tone fifties and bring in flower power, peace and luv. Never before had a time erupted with such a splash. This year, the runway is filled wi [...] The word on the runway is ‘Femail’ and that has been expressed from Paris to London, New York to Milan. The sixties era styling has returned with a vengeance, bringing with it the upswept hair styling, the large, geometric patterns and jewelry and the colors….oh, the colors. Brilliant combinations of colors on a white background include yellows, blues and greens, with a touch of black. And of course, there are flowers. Today’s sixties look uses a base look, with a touch of the flowers from days gone by. Sizzling neon colors in combination pairing of pale lime and raspberry sherbet bring an uptick look to the sixties style. For a more classic, minimal look, the Chanel style crop top in tantalizing tangerine pattern is the perfect focus for a work a day outfit. Complimented with a simple white top and tangerine pants or skirt, this brings the sixties into today’s fashion world. We can never forget the graphic patterns known as op-art. Typically black, white and grey, the new look incorporates a more three dimensional appeal with metallics and florescents. The newer sheen fabrics are hot items, as they have a kind of oil-slick look and are fantastic in solid colors with a layered appeal. Short to mini and even long on the skirt lengths is totally appropriate and even invited. The exotic prints are back to stay and are incorporating every motif from Egyptian to African. The neutral and earth tones are boring no more, as we see animal prints, brocades, khaki, bangles, beads and furs. Exotic buttons are some of the embellishments to look for, as they are becoming more of an art piece than ever before. Matching bags, clutches and even klunky shoes are the perfect accessories. The pencil skirt made a major appearance on this year’s catwalks. The always sexy and sensual skirt has the added touch of a bit of a slit (and sometimes more than that). More designers are pairing a solid neutral pencil skirt with an oil-slick top and a black jacket for the biz look. An incredible and intricately designed belt acts as an off-set to blend it all together and give a very modern sixties look for work. Another great work look is the classic tailored in charcoals, grays, and blacks. These are more of the unisex look and make use of silks and satins to highlight the top or belt area. Blurring the gender lines are both fun and fanciful, but it’s the jackets that make the outfit. Short cropped and longer to the upper thigh are being seen everywhere, but always tailored to the max. Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/fashion/article-2251106/A-Z-2013s-hottest-style-trends.html]]>http://clothingwire.com/2013/07/2013-year-of-the-return-of-the-sixties/feed2The Boho Look and Colors of 2013http://clothingwire.com/2013/07/the-boho-look-and-colors-of-2013http://clothingwire.com/2013/07/the-boho-look-and-colors-of-2013/#commentsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000adminhttp://clothingwire.com/?p=http://clothingwire.com/?p=3929There are secrets to the best styling for that bohemian look. When done right, you can be a stunning success, but when done wrong, you can look like a car wreck. Don’t get discouraged, even some of the celebrities seem to do it badly. This year brings a whole new attitude and appeal and with the right guidelines, [...] The first thing you need to remember with a boho look, is that too many layers creates disaster. As with everything, keep it simple. Find a single piece to your outfit that will be an anchor for the eyes. This can be a dazzling top, a piece of antique jewelry or a headband ornament. Work everything else around that in a more subtle way. An example might be some of the hot colors for this year: a long flowing skirt of sizzling burnt orange paired with a champagne top and black belt. Keep the top style simple, because all eyes will be on the movement and color of the skirt. If you have a pattern skirt, make sure the top is solid tone of complimenting color. You can add a bit of sizzle with a strapless top and simple antique jewelry. Another hot look includes long feathered earrings that coordinate with the outfit. Turquoise, browns and earth tones bring the nature girl feature to the forefront. With this earring style, you don’t need to have any other jewelry, because the look will make your outfit pop. Nothing says boho like the exotic looks of East India. The latest fashion styles include brilliant colors and patterns from tangerine to a red, white and black combination. Silks and brocades with incredible detailing can be the focus of the outfit, surrounded by sultry flowing tops and skirts. Capes, shrouds and covers are now being used in fantastic shades to highlight the neutral tone outfit. We are not only accepting other cultures, but we are freely embracing the beauty and luxury of designs and fashion from around the world. Egyptian colors in browns, greens and blues and invading the runway as are the influence of the African tribal look. These are both perfect venues for boho creativity with layers of cotton and silk blends in cream, mud-tone, copper and bronze. The traditional hippy boho remains a classic, with loose fitting tops, notched tight waistlines and long flowing skirts. This year you can use a bold mix of colors for either and even add your favorite pair of jeans. The addition of jewelry needs to be paired carefully so that you don’t over-do the look. Fabric choices abound for today’s boho chic appeal. The newer mixes in linens, cottons and silks offer an incredible array of choices. Whether you are a work warrior with animal skin look, choose a more feminine appearance with a touch of frills or want a mother nature appeal, you can select the fabrics that stand up to your active lifestyle and make your own statement of who you are. Sources: http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/laidback-boho-new-york-fashion-week-street-style-spring-2013#slide-52 https://www.google.com/search?q=the+boho+look+for+2013&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=J797Uc66CIjg8wSPqoCwCQ&ved=0CGUQsAQ&biw=1441&bih=687]]>http://clothingwire.com/2013/07/the-boho-look-and-colors-of-2013/feed0The 2013 Denim Color Obsessionhttp://clothingwire.com/2013/07/the-2013-denim-color-obsessionhttp://clothingwire.com/2013/07/the-2013-denim-color-obsession/#commentsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000adminhttp://clothingwire.com/?p=http://clothingwire.com/?p=3925In praise of glorious denim! We are living in a perfect time when the comfort of denim has been combined with classic styling and incredible, delirious colors! Runways have denim in classic blues with a touch of purple and celebrities abound donning the latest pastel shade jeans. Spring and summer are bringing pas [...] The cut and style of these delicious denim creations are also available to accent your body type. Ankle jeans are all the craze, but for those that have a shapely look to the body, it’s advised that you avoid any of the jeans that have a lot of high cut pockets. Those can make your derriere appear larger than it is. Best cut for you are those that have pockets that start on the outside area of your derriere ‘cheeks’. For the more slim and less curved figure, choose your best pastel shade and go for the high waisted, that will highlight your slim figure. For those of us that are short, the cropped jeans will make us look even shorter, so lean more towards the longer length, non-cropped in a mid-rise. If you are the athletic type, your calves and legs may reflect more muscle. You want to accent length more than width, so flared or straight full length will give your legs a longer look. For the petite, you need a style that doesn’t end up with that ‘saggy’ look. Stretch denim for petites will keep its shape and find those that have back pocket embellishments. As you replace your dark blues with the pastel colors, you will need to remember the rule-of-thumb: dark tones can slim and pastels can make you appear heavier. You need to remember your body shape and wear your colors as part of the outfit, but you may need to layer or pull the focus to other parts of the body. The mix of turquoise and varying shades of blue and lavender/purple are a recommended color palette. You can dress this up or down with lace, silk, cotton and jackets. Skinny jeans, in the various rainbow colors might be your best choice, but don’t give up on the distressed and torn look for your dress-down days. Wide-leg and high-waisted will give you a casual, long-legged appeal. While being comfortable. Jeans jackets in all of their fame have made a return to the runway. Whether dressed to the nines with brocade, buttons and embellishments, all the way to distressed, torn, bleached and worn; the jeans jacket in short cropped styling is appearing in a myriad of colors and styles. The same goes for the boy-look denim shirt. Chambray remains a popular choice, but combined with the pastel jeans and a brilliant colors in bag and shoes, the look is both daring and glamorous. Other fashion recommendations for the year include the denim rompers. These are a delight, because they can be fun and playful and are perfect for so many occasions. Thankfully, designers have brought the romper to another level with pastels and gorgeous touches of lace and embroidery. Sources: http://www.shefinds.com/2013/how-to-wear-springs-pastel-denim-trend-no-matter-your-jean-size/ http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/denim-trends-blue-jeans-0510]]>http://clothingwire.com/2013/07/the-2013-denim-color-obsession/feed0Transitioning from Day to Evening 2013: Best Colors, Fabrics, Styleshttp://clothingwire.com/2013/07/transitioning-from-day-to-evening-2013-best-colors-fabrics-styleshttp://clothingwire.com/2013/07/transitioning-from-day-to-evening-2013-best-colors-fabrics-styles/#commentsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000adminhttp://clothingwire.com/?p=http://clothingwire.com/?p=3920Our busy lifestyle brings little time for a focus on some of the things that are very important. Top of the list is making the change from every day work wear into the best looks for evening and clubbing. 2013 runway styles has made this a no-brainer, thanks to the incredible variations and choices. This year, the [...]transition-from-day-to-evening This year, the spring summer collections have introduced an array of hot colors and designs. The top colors of the year include soft pastels and light shades of pink, yellow, green, blue and orange. Color combinations on these base colors abound with the blends of apricot, apple green, lavender, and sky blue. One of the most observed trends is combining the blues and purples in both solid and pattern prints. Other choices include earth tones, exotic East Indian prints and tie dyes. Fabric selections for a day to night look can start out with silk, voile, chiffon and some of the iridescents and shine fabrics. An incredible look for day can have a touch of lace for that feminine touch, whether overlay or layered. Linen is hot this year, and the newer blends offer a more polished look, with less of the crumple. Champagne tones combined with pale pinks and browns are fantastic for day and are easily switched out for evening with a change of jacket, clutch and shoes. The key look for the year is a more romantic, draping and fluid appearance. Loose fitting with a shiny or matt texture brings a classic style of glamour and a sensual appeal to the shape. Satin, raised jerseys, silk or satin stretch are excellent choices as they hug the body in all of the right places. The day look is focused on a natural appearance with simplistic styling. Patterns can have a bold geometric to anchor the look and complimented with a variety of layers. Making the change to evening will depend upon where you will be going. For a night out on the town, whether clubbing or a quick dinner and outing with friends, you can transition your day look with the addition of a glamorous jacket of brocade or highlighted with unique buttons, embroidery or even tassels. If you have more neutral tones for an outfit, use a hot pair of shoes and the matching clutch as the focal point. Loose, almost pajama-like styling is best for pants and jacket. If your evening is leaning more toward the fancy, layers of lace and silk or evening a top with metallic fabrics and embroidered eyelets will give you that romantic look. Dress length is up to you. Most popular this season is the just above the knee, but you can add a dramatic effect with floor length, if paired properly with the right accessories. Color combinations for evening have opened the door to beyond-black. Shades of deep rich blue, white and sky blue in lace and silk or champagne and silver with underlying nude brings a hint of mystery and intrigue. Making the transition from day to night is all about the planning. Look to your closet, antique jewelry accessories and of course, the shoes and bag that will make your look. Source: ]]>http://clothingwire.com/2013/07/transitioning-from-day-to-evening-2013-best-colors-fabrics-styles/feed1Today’s Wedding Colorshttp://clothingwire.com/2013/06/todays-wedding-colorshttp://clothingwire.com/2013/06/todays-wedding-colors/#commentsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000adminhttp://clothingwire.com/?p=http://clothingwire.com/?p=3917When they say that your wedding day lives forever, it is absolutely true. The typical time spent in planning your even can take from three months to a full year, and even then, you always feel like you may have missed something. The first question that usually arises is ‘so, what are your colors’? This show stop [...] While traditional colors are always safe, today’s wedding has opened up a broader scope of color choices, options, selections and combinations. True, you should probably stick with colors that are easy to match, because there are going to be a lot of ‘things’ that you will need to match to. The first piece of advice is to not select colors that are so ‘out there’ that you have to order everything from Europe or Asia. Use the basic greens, blues, lavender or purple, pinks or yellows. Mint is a hot color for this year and combines so well with other colors. You can even combine grays, champagnes, black and reds for a bolder statement. These are all relatively good choices and some have had fun with them. One wedding had traditional colors, but the guys all wore red sneakers and the ladies red shoes. There are those that may want to go a bit bolder by selecting orange. Be very careful with this one. I can tell you from attending an orange, grey and black wedding, that it had a bit of a disturbing feeling of being Halloween. One of the most popular trends today is to do a ‘green’ wedding. This may start with shades of green, but the true meaning is to have a wedding day that brings a low environmental impact. The transition from throw away to recycle/reuse is a topic that everyone is buying into. The use of various green tones as your wedding colors is the bases, and every choice that you make from that point on equates to being respectful to the planet and Mother Nature. Purple and lavender are two exceptional colors for your wedding. They can be combined with white, black or grey and can be used as a two-toned effect. The color purple reflects the concept of royalty (as does blue) and can elevate your day into a more glamorous and dramatic affair. Brown, tan and off-white is often the choice of those that lean toward a more earthy flavor to their wedding. This is also a great benefit, it you have added touches of chocolate (in all its varying shades). Neutral shades can be combined with ever so light champagnes and suddenly browns and tans have a rich look and feel to them. Having all of the right touches with browns can include nature: from earth friendly invitations to small birds nest style table accents. Creating a look and statement for your wedding begins with the type of wedding you want and always starts with the colors you choose. You also have to remember that the men in your life have to abide by these color choices, so it might be a good idea to talk about it first. Source: Source: http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-colors.aspx]]>http://clothingwire.com/2013/06/todays-wedding-colors/feed1Today’s Hottest Evening Colorshttp://clothingwire.com/2013/06/todays-hottest-evening-colorshttp://clothingwire.com/2013/06/todays-hottest-evening-colors/#commentsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000adminhttp://clothingwire.com/?p=http://clothingwire.com/?p=3913You want to look absolutely delicious for that evening out and girl, you are living in the right time to make your fashion statement. We have returned an era of the glamorous but with a twist to today’s modern and upbeat appeal and will turn your night into an event with the perfect evening colors. The colors a [...] The door is open to patterns, but some seem to have taken the traditional black lace and stepped it up a notch. More evening wear is offering lace cut outs, encrusted lace and silk tull. Metallic fibers, gently woven into the lace or embroidery is another way to make you shine, because it gives you that glossy, polished look. There are some excellent dresses that have combined the more bold geometric repeat patterns with conventional lace. The length of your dress is completely up to you. You can have floor length for a dramatic effect, but the most popular this year is just above the knee. Accessories are also hot and antique jewelry has made a comeback. Remember to coordinate a subtle accessory if you have a bold outfit, each one must balance the other out. Your purpose and goal is to get the maximum impact, so if you have a lot of sequins or beads, tone down the jewelry, clutch and shoes. Transparent fabrics can be a wonderful way to go out for the evening and express your inner ‘you’. Anything that has a hint of silky luster, polished mother of pearl or iridescence, will sparkle in the moonlight. Since these fabrics are usually pastel, the favorites this year are the blues combined with lavenders and even pink or apricot. A dramatic evening jacket or throw will give you that air of glamour with a playful appeal. As with all fashion advice, shoes and bag can be the high tone or downfall of your evening outfit. Depending on the look you are seeking, it is usually advised to go with a simple clutch and elegant shoes. If the outfit is subdued, you can make the move to create a special look with iridescent in both pieces. They should, of course, match. Sources: http://www.fashionpatterns.com/download/Predictive_Spring_2013.pdf http://www.squidoo.com/holidaywear ]]>http://clothingwire.com/2013/06/todays-hottest-evening-colors/feed0Hottest Colors of Summerhttp://clothingwire.com/2013/06/the-hottest-colors-of-summerhttp://clothingwire.com/2013/06/the-hottest-colors-of-summer/#commentsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000adminhttp://clothingwire.com/?p=http://clothingwire.com/?p=3909This year we are looking to summer with absolute envy. The thought of warm days, basking by a beach or pool or an evening on the town is absolutely embraced as we happily leave the dull winter days. Nothing says summer like the colors of the tropics, and these are the hottest shades for the year. The combination o [...] There are some summer color combinations that are destined to be maintained. These include the classic red, white, navy blue and black. From traditional and tie dyed, to saucy and sleek, the patterns and shades are a mainstay of summer. The fabrics can change from silk to denim; Asian inspired to linen; and the patterns run from hot to cool. The summer look is also all about the prints. Geometric, floral, stripes and polka dots and all of the variations in between are being mixed and matched for a modern look and appeal. The exotic is also hot, so don’t forget to check out the East Indian influences with the intricate patterns and leaf prints. Summer simply wouldn’t be the same without the crushed and crumpled look of cotton and seersucker. You started with some of those in spring and they can be carried through into summer with the pale pastels complimented with a linen jacket. Shades of pink and pale lavender in silk are also enhanced with touches of polished metallic. Many of these are also tie dyed, but today’s tie dye brings a more upbeat attitude, especially in shades of blue. We can never forget our earth tones, when we talk about summer. The palette for these colors are influenced by the earthy touches and colors of Thailand, India, Africa and Asia. Color combinations can start with earthy brown-tones and are enhanced with rustic orange, gold and red. When they say ‘the devil’s in the details’ they must have been including fashion in this topic, because the latest unique buttons, brocades, belts and weaves can be the additions that turn heads. Denim, in summer is a given; but we are no longer stuck in the world of just-the-blues. Denim fashion is now available in colors, pastels and patterns and in heavy, light and stretch denim. There is no better combination than shades of blue with the added touch of purple. There are some hot looks for a traditional shirt in grays and blues, as the anchor piece for a sharp jacket. The look and feel of your summer wardrobe can be a statement of your own with your favorite colors, patterns and fabrics. You can take spring into summer, without breaking the bank, and have a layered look that can be great for a day out shopping all the way to going to that concert. Color combinations give you the choice of being demure all the way to daring. Source: http://www.fashionpatterns.com/download/Predictive_Spring_2013.pdf ]]>http://clothingwire.com/2013/06/the-hottest-colors-of-summer/feed0Color Combinations: What’s Hothttp://clothingwire.com/2013/06/color-combinations-whats-hothttp://clothingwire.com/2013/06/color-combinations-whats-hot/#commentsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000adminhttp://clothingwire.com/?p=http://clothingwire.com/?p=3903Pairing the right colors always seemed to be a kind of common sense thing, but today, those ideas are completely old school. The hottest runway looks have colors combined that our mothers would never have thought of. The hottest designers are putting a new look with fabrics and colors. Some of the hottest color com [...] color-combinations Two colors that have never really been paired together before, but bring an incredible edge are burgundy and burnt orange. When you think of it, you might have a grimace on your face, but when you actually see them together, with shoes and a bag, it is a total statement. For both spring and summer, the combination of coral and mustard yellow are a bit of sunshine in your day. Whether patterns or solid, these two colors combine into a delicious appeal to the senses. Taking the tropical look into other colors includes orange, gray and white. The orange is the pizzazz, bringing any neutral tone into focus. Fabrics for both seasons can be light and airy, cottons, silks and silk-blends work the best. If you’re not sure which color or color combinations you should be looking for, you might want to consider the top ten colors for 2013: a vibrant green-yellow tone called tender shoots; a hushed and subtle green with a hint of gray called grayed jade. Sophisticated and glamorous emerald green is perfect for day and evening wear. African violet has a hint of red, so it pairs well with all the red tones and makes a splash on any outfit. Always sexy, poppy red, you can match clutch and shoes to create an uptick look. The citrusy effect of nectarine blends orange with an undertone of coral. A brighter than bright yellow called lemon zest also has a hint of green in it. The calming effect of dusk blue, can be paired with the excitement of nectarine. For a neutral color, ‘linen’ is perfect and blends with almost everything. Monaco blue works with reds as well as emerald green. This last color is also total elegance. The brilliance of the blue catches and detains the eyes so that it can be used as an accent color or stand alone. For the savvy shopper, you will also want to think ahead to see what is going to work for your fall and winter wardrobe. Some of the same burnt orange and poppy red can be paired with blacks, dark greens and browns for fall. Neutrals with a splash of color are perfect for winter (or vice versa). Since everything is all about layering, the spring to summer can be easily adjusted, and then add more layers for fall to winter. Sources: http://www.fashionpatterns.com/download/Predictive_Spring_2013.pdf http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/new-color-blocking-runway-spring-2013 http://pinterest.com/vonda/clothing-color-combinations/ http://channels.isp.netscape.com/homerealestate/package.jsp?name=fte/springcolors/springcolors ]]>http://clothingwire.com/2013/06/color-combinations-whats-hot/feed0High Fashion Gets A Dressing Down: How The Internet Is Changing The Fashion Worldhttp://clothingwire.com/2013/02/high-fashion-gets-a-dressing-down-how-the-internet-is-changing-the-fashion-worldhttp://clothingwire.com/2013/02/high-fashion-gets-a-dressing-down-how-the-internet-is-changing-the-fashion-world/#commentsMon, 6 Apr 2026 05:59:19 +0000adminhttp://clothingwire.com/?p=http://clothingwire.com/?p=3369Say the words designer fashion and you think exquisite style, precise skill and above all the exclusive.  The high fashion world has an elite status and part of this aura has come through limited access to its opulent world. But now things are changing.  We know the internet has changed the way we live; how we commun [...]Step 1: Take down the runway Fashion shows aren’t meant for just anyone.  Seats are populated by well-known designers, celebrities, buyers and big names in the fashion world and most fans of fashion aren’t likely to sit down at a fashion show any time soon.  But now you don’t need to go to a fashion show to see everything the fashion elite are seeing.   It is general practise for fashion houses to live stream their collections during fashion shows, bringing these once exclusive events to a global audience.  What’s more, some fashion designers are even selling their collections as soon as they step out on to the catwalk.  JW Anderson had sold out of one design of boots almost immediately after he had shown at London Fashion Week.  Gone are the days of waiting months for fashion styles to trickle down to the high street;  this new way of broadcasting the latest high fashion trends has a kind of immediacy which is going to skew the distinction between high street and high fashion.

jumpers

Step 2: Everyone’s a designer

But the internet isn’t just giving your everyday fashionista better access to the fashion world they love (and now can know) it’s giving the everyday individual, armed with internet access and a reasonable eye, a chance to become a fashion designer without even knowing it.  Sexy sweaters is the website started by Alec Weitl which began as a basic tumblr to fill the void of college induced boredom and has now become a bonafide fashion label which has started selling ‘sexy sweaters’ to the general public.  Alec finds pictures from around the internet and uses Photoshop to create designs.  Weitl received a huge amount of positive feedback when he started his blog and a lot of demand for the sweaters to be made available.  He’s currently searching for the right manufacturer but has started selling a few designs.  It’ll be interesting to see how sexy sweaters develops over the next couple of years, but it could set a precedent for unknowns in fashion to become leading trend setters. And trend setting doesn’t just come in the form of designing.  Lots of fashion blogs now are starting to have major influence. Fashion bloggers are becoming vindicated as fashion commentators; some of the most popular are even getting invites to fashion weeks.

Step 3: People power

So the internet’s influence on fashion is all about reordering the hierarchy of power; empowering the everyman with the potential to add their two cents to the fashion story and pulling the high end fashion world back down to earth.  Social media forces fashion houses to interact with their customers in a new way.  As Chief Creative Officer at Burberry Christopher Bailey tweeted Burberry is “now as much a media-content company as a design company because it’s all part of the overall experience.”  No company has done it much better than LOFT.  According to mashable.com ,  responding to demands from customers to show their silk cargo pants on different body types rather than just models, LOFT posted pictures of their staff (who are all different sizes) in the pants.  LOFT received overwhelmingly positive feedback for this move proving that fashion can no longer afford to hide itself away in its own ivory tower.  Exclusivity is evidently not as desirable as it once was; availability is king. And this has been capitalised on by a new fashion app and website called Snap Fashion which reimagines how we shop online. The app allows users to snap a picture of their favourite items from magazines, clothing rails or the runway, or take a picture from fashion blogs or wholesale clothing websites and find similar styles straight away within any specified price range.    In theory, the snaps will build a portfolio of demands and the high street will have to respond.  If inventions like these keep cropping up in the fashion world then it’ll be the high street consumers, not the high fashion designers dictating trends. It’s clear then that the internet’s far-reaching influence is changing the face of fashion.  It’s an exhilarating collision between haute couture fashion houses with reputations built up over years and the everyday blogger with a penchant for clothes and it looks like this is just the beginning of the internet changing what fashion means for both the industry itself and the consumer.  ]]>http://clothingwire.com/2013/02/high-fashion-gets-a-dressing-down-how-the-internet-is-changing-the-fashion-world/feed8