Monthly Archives: February 2023

2023 Spring and Summer Fabric Trends

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I have just returned from market, so it is a great time to be finishing this Spring Trends blog series with the fabric trends of the season. I always include fabric trends as part of my trend reviews because it is distinct from color and style trends. Sometimes an item is trendy purely because of the fabric even though the style is a classic.

Take a look at the pictures at the top of this blog post. These three model groupings were a visual summary of the most important trends for the season. They were compiled by designers showing at the Magic Apparel Trade Show in Las Vegas. They are a great representation of several important fabric trends of the season:

  1. Metallic Fabrics: There is a big emphases on metals this season and with that, shiny fabrics. The models on either end of the pictures represent this trend. On the left, notice the metallic fabric used for the modern suit. You can see that it catches the light, reflecting back a dark grey iridescent sheen. On the far right, look at the shiny silver mini skirt, reminiscent of sterling silver with its luxurious bright silver color.
  2. Sheer Fabrics: This season, designers are also focusing on soft and sheer fabrics. On the model on the left, you can see that her top is a sheer, black mesh. This idea is repeated in the prominence of Toole this season. The model in the middle is wearing a lime green Toole skirt that balances out its ruffles with the soft, sheer fabric.
  3. Vegan Leather Fabrics: We’ve seen faux or vegan leather for the last several seasons, and it continues to be important this season. The model in the vegan leather suiting shows off this trend in classic black. You can also see it represented in the Moto Jacket pictured in the middle.
  4. Shiny Fabrics: The short cocktail dress on the mannequin in the picture to the left is a great example of this trend. This soft sequined dress is simple in its design but is made special by the iridescent sequins that reflect the light.
  5. Vegan Fur Fabrics: The faux fur coat on the mannequin on the left is a show stopper and demonstrates the importance of fur as a statement piece.

This second set of images represent the fall fabric trends for this year. Notice a continuation of Toole, Sheer, and Fur fabrics in these looks. The great news is that you can be sure that if you invest in these fabrics now, you will still be able to wear them next season.

I hope this fabric trend review has been helpful for you! If you missed any of my previous trend reports, be sure to check out my Spring Color Trends Post and my Spring Style Trends Post. You can also watch my Wednesday Wardrobing Live Video on this topic. These air every Wednesday at 6 p.m. MST in my VIP Facebook Group. I would appreciate your comments on this post and am happy to answer any questions.

When how you look matters,

XOXO Kyleen

Style Trends For Spring 2023

Posted in fashion trends, how to, tips and tricks, trends, Trendy at any age, What to wear, women's clothing tips by

Ah S P R I N G…..I can hardly wait. I know we in Wyoming are not alone in this, but can I just say that this winter has been epic? Here in the mountain west, we are used to snow, but this season has given us multiple SNOWMAGEDDON storms. Frankly, we are all worn out! Within less than twenty days, we had two storms that dumped over 12 inches of snow each. The most recent one was followed by a day of -30 degrees! Ugh. Spring can’t come fast enough!

Thus, it is with great pleasure that I present this Spring Trend Report which I prepared for my upcoming trip to the apparel markets in Las Vegas. One thing you should know about my trend reports is that my goal is not to produce an exhaustive summary of all the trends. Instead, my goal is to pick and choose from among the trends and report on the ones I think a woman 45 and over might actually wear.

So, here goes…

Last week, I reported on the important color trends of the season. You can read that blog post to get a detailed description of the colors. For now, however, here is a picture of the most important ones:

Now, let’s dig into the style trends:

Styled Up Denim: One trend report I read called this trend the “not so basic denim” trend (Vogue). Our favorite staple (denim) is getting some face lifts this season with elements like denim ties, gathered waists, and patches of different colored denim. There is a portion of this trend that is nodding towards edgy alternative styles like ripped fabrics and bleached denim, but there are also upscale denim looks like beautiful long denim maxi skirts and denim dresses.

Chic and Tailored: As a store that caters to working women, I always love when tailored is in style. Plan on seeing lots of blazers with blouses. Whether it is a crisp white cotton blouse or a silky Fiery Red blouse, tailored will be a strong trend this season. The look is to pair blazers with blouses and high waisted, wider legged trouser pants. I also saw pictures of shift dresses with jackets. The twist on the season will be to see these looks in bold colors like the Beetroot Purple from above or Love Bird, which is a classic lime and the strongest color of the season.

Frayed and Fringe: If it swishes, it’s trendy this season. Look for fringe detailing on vests, jackets and dresses. We will continue to see jeans with raw edge hemlines or frayed edges.

Sheer, Cut Outs, and Crochet: All of these trends are about exposing skin as part of your style. Look for romance here and don’t be surprised to see embroidered sheer fabrics. Additionally, the new “cropped top” is one with cut outs that reveal a portion of your midriff.

Flounce and Feminine: Look for ruffles to continue this season. This trend is all about creating movement. Again, it is all about the swish on tops, skirts and dresses. And, according to The Boutique Hub, drop-waist skirts are on the rise again. Also look for rushed elements and silky fabrics.

Maxi everything: I have already mentioned the importance of denim maxi skirts, but also look for maxi skirts in other fabrics and maxi dresses as well.

If you’d like to see some examples of these trends, please tune into my Wednesday Night Wardrobing Live Video tonight at 6 p.m. MST. Or, you can catch me on YouTube.

Spring 2023 Color Trends

Posted in color trends, dressing your figure, fashion trends, trends, women's clothing tips by
“Blending escapism with reality, wholesomeness, and joy, we embrace the exploration of extreme contrast in mood and color” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “There is utility and basic-ness to this season’s color story, while at the same time, there is an uplifting vital sense of play that comes through.” (https://www.pantone.com/articles/press-releases/pantone-color-institute-releases-fashion-color-trend-report-spring-summer-2023-new-york).

This is the first blog post in my February Spring Trends series. Today, we will talk color trends. Next Wednesday, 2/8, I’ll be covering Spring 2023 Style Trends. The following week, 2/15, I will be in Las Vegas for the Magic Apparel Show and will be taking photos of the colors and styles as they are represented in clothing. I will end the month, 2/22, with Spring 2023 fabric trends. Each blog post will be accompanied with a live video broadcast in our VIP Facebook Group at 6 p.m. MST and then posted on our YouTube Channel.

Doing a color trend report at the beginning of each season is one of my favorite things to do. I find the way color reflects our social, emotional and political climate completely fascinating. We are now in full realization of the ways the pandemic has changed our lives. Not a day goes by where I don’t hear a news report talking about the effects of the pandemic on our children, the educational system, the health system, and our work lives.

The truth is, some major things have shifted. In Eiseman’s quote from above, she mentions “blending escapism and realty.” Is it any wonder we are swinging between escaping and being grounded. When you look around, do you see “extreme contrasts in mood?” Don’t we all seek a less angry and painful world? Don’t we want to find “play” and tranquility again? This season’s color palate reflects all of those desires and offers a solution, at least in the emotions a great outfit creates within us and how its colors makes us feel on the inside.

Looking at the color palate above, can you guess what colors connote escapism and what colors connote reality? Which colors speak “wholesome” to you? Which ones speak “joy?” Here is a quick breakdown of each color and the emotion it creates.

Fiery Red: Color of vitality and energy, connoting power

Beetroot Purple: Fuchsia that harkens images of summer flowers, connoting escape

Tangelo: Rich orange that is a cross between a tangerine and orange, connoting health

Peach Pink: Warm, peachy pink that is soft and gentle, connoting nurture

Empire Yellow: The color of summer and all things sunshine, connoting joy

Crystal Rose: Gutsy pink that is still feminine and soft, connoting romance.

Classic Green: The color of grass and summer, connoting health and vitality

Love Bird: Rich, lime green that is not neon, connoting the exotic

Blue Perennial: Dark denim blue that is lighter than navy, connoting grounding

Summer Song: Light blue like that of a summer sky, connoting tranquility

Skylight: Medium deep aqua, connoting cleansing

Vanilla Cream: Creamy ivory, connoting rich and decadent

Grey Lilac: Greyed Lilac, connoting a sunset after a storm

Leek Green: Medium and warm olive, connoting vegetation

Macchiato: Warm, rusty brown, connoting the perfect cup of coffee

Looking at this color palate as a whole, you can see the vibrant colors that infuse us with joy: red, bright oranges and yellow. Contrasting that, we have the grounding greens and blues. The romantic pink acts as an anchor between the two. Then, on the bottom, we have the softer and earthier shades that make us feel tranquil.

You will be seeing some color play this season with designers pairing unlikely colors together. Examples of this might include pairing the bright red and pinks together or the orange and yellow. The goal is that we feel the freedom to “play” and express our individuality. At the same time, look for soft color palates that combine the peachy pinks, leek greens and macchiato browns.

If you would like to see examples of these colors, watch my Live Wednesday Night Wardrobing video tonight at 7 p.m. MST. Be sure to say hello if you watch live, or comment with #replay if you watch it later. Let me know what questions you have too. I will be happy to answer them! You can watch here.