Fall 2008: Haute Trends

The looks that debuted at Bryant Park last month, during New York Fashion Week, set the stage for what will be en vogue for the coming season.

Some of the looks that took center stage in fall 2007, made a second appearance for fall 2008 like plaids, fur and the color purple. Although it’s hard to say that anything is a ‘new’ trend — since most looks are recycled from another time or period — we can say that we saw some refurbished trends such as thigh-high tights revamped with old-school sport sock stripes, and classic preppy plaids made chic with patent leather.

Here are a few of the cool looks and haute trends that caught our eye from the fall 2008 runway:

CAPED CRUSADER
Capetown has never been so abundant, with diverse looks from wrapped and collared to cropped and velvet. Our fave pics below include a Caroline Herrera turn-of-the-century inspired riding cape, a Giorgio Armani cropped velvet, ball embellished cape and a Ralph Lauren plaid wrap cape with cowl collar.

FUR-OCIOUS FEMME
This luxurious fabric stalked the catwalk in an array of hues from candy-colored to natural-neutrals. The looks that left an impression included a Vivienne Westwood pink with icey highlights fur jacket, a Giorgio Armani grey neckroll, a Betsey Johnson crimson-colored short-sleeve jacket with satin tie, an Isaac Mizrahi mink coat and a Badgley Mischka cropped vest.

METALLIC SHIMMER
Metallics made a sharp impact in steel greys and charcoal pewters like the Vivienne Tam dress and coat suit (and tights too), the Giorgio Armani leather zipper jacket paired with cuffed trousers and the Badgley Mischka feather-trimmed cocktail dress.

PREPPY PLAIDS
Classic plaid goes glam paired with patent leather jacket, a silk Hermès scarf or a feather-embellished fedora like these looks below — Vivienne Westwood plaid kilt with coordinating jacket, the Dolce & Gabbana tartan plaid, double-breasted coat and Caroline Herrera three-piece pantsuit with fur-trimmed collar and quilted panel vest.

SWEET SWEATERS
Cozy knits transformed into chic dresses on the runway. The look — reminiscent of the ’80s — came in cable knit, had zippers and were worn slouchy and belted, as well as sultry and fitted. We spotted a few hot versions including a Betsey Johnson electric blue off-the-shoulder, a Marc Jacobs canary yellow with slight bubble hem and a Vivienne Westwood curve-hugging one.

RADIANT RED
Jewel tones dazzled, but none as vibrant as ruby red. They were corseted, grecian-inspired and saloon-esque. We loved the Zac Posen cocktail gown (it’s a little Scarlett O’Hara), we adored the Tracy Reese grecian-goddess frock (Aphrodite would be green with envy) and we were enamored by the Ralph Lauren velvety-vixen cocktail dress (that feathered beret is to die for).

BOLD IN BROWN
This earthy hue came in crocodile prints, jersey knit, as well as silky satin with shades ranging from chocolate to mahogany. Below are a Giorgio Armani pantsuit, a Vivienne Westwood long, fitted jersey dress and a BCBG Max Azria mini dress.

PURPLE PASSION
This royal color radiated in shades of eggplant and amythest — from head-to-toe or as subtle accents, this hue is back again for fall. Our favorite looks were a Giorgio Armani black dress with silky purple collar, a two-tone Isaac Mizrahi dress,  and a Vivienne Tam mini cocktail dress.

FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLE BEE
Spring 2008’s number one brilliant bright, yellow, goes bold paired with black, like the Betsey Johnson animal print dress and the satin Zac Posen jewel embellished mini skirt and yellow trimmed jacket, below.