Spring Fashion 2001

The spring fashions at the September preview in New York City can be summed up in two words, "anything goes." In fact the talk of the event was Oscar de la Renta's show, which included hot pink bloomers that he had used in a show from 1968. Andre Leon Talley, the editor at large of Vogue said of people and the new spring fashions, "the red carpet is in their living room." Spring fashions are meant to be playful, fun, and creative, while still incorporating the fashion "staples" of previous seasons.

The key accessory for the coming season, which is nothing revolutionary, is the belt. What is different for the spring are the shapes of them and what they are paired with. Belts seen on the runway were wider and thicker and dressed up with fringe. Belts were worn low on the hips with draped tops and flowing dresses. The belt is something we are all familiar with, however its pairing with flowing and feminine numbers is anything but overdone. Designer Dresses are an affordable option.

The dress was all over the runway this September and almost every designer included some variation of it. Knee-length hemlines with frilled edges and asymmetrical hems are going to be a must-have for spring, according to the kinds of styles that designers were presenting. Skirts this season were also redesigned to include fullness and swing using placed pleats or bias cuts. Donna Karen placed wide folds in linen skirts and belted it on the hips to create an incredibly flattering fit. Mini skirts are also back but this season they are incorporating the pleated and belted look also.

As far as prints for skirts and dresses are concerned, animal prints are out and florals are in. Also popular are geometric prints and anything with circles, stripes or squares. In other words, the animal prints should hibernate for the spring.

Skirts and dresses weren't the only loose and flowing numbers this September, featherweight tops in flowing chiffon's, voiles and lighter fabrics were an incredibly popular look. These tops were also shown with the new wide belt, cinched tightly around the waist. BCBG showed a simple chiffon pullover with sleeves slit from the shoulder to wrist in this season's floral print.

After several seasons of pedal pushers and capris, short shorts are making a comeback. For the spring, shorts cut to fall at the top of the thigh should be paired with bulky turtlenecks and loose belted tops, according to designers.

Cigarette pants are the final must for the spring and are replacing the ever-popular boot cut look of past seasons. Designers such as Calvin Klein are paring sleek cigarette pants with high heels and Gucci showed shiny satin ultra-slim pants with 1980's style pumps.

For those of you who did not just step of the runway, we will conclude with a list of the 10 most important things to be wearing this spring to continue being a fashion "do."

• 1) Geometric Patterns
• 2) Pinstripes
• 3) Belts
• 4) Off-the-shoulder necklines
• 5) Sparkling, shimmery textures
• 6) Gold
• 7) Blouson jackets
• 8) Shirtdresses and wrap dresses
• 9) Asymmetric slits and hemlines
• 10) Short shorts and hot pants.

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