Trend #1: Full Color Suit
Photos: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com, Jeff Grossman/WENN.com
Close call: A suit is always a statement, and even more so when it’s in head-to-toe Technicolor. At the Style Awards, Iman stood out in a velvet suit in fall’s must-have rich purple. The dramatic suit was tailored perfectly and I like that she saved what would have been a too-plunging neckline on her wrap top with a lariat necklace. Jennifer Hudson also suited up, donning an aqua ensemble at the Project Runway exhibition. Her suit, which was actually a body-skimming jumpsuit with a matching blazer, created a flattering silhouette and I loved her end-of-summer color palette with the coral lips and gold accessories. It’s up to you to decide who nailed the colorful menswear look, Iman in her ready-for-fall purples or Jennifer Hudson in her hanging-onto-summer brights?
Trend #2: Sheer Paneling
Photos: Stefan Jeremiah/WENN.com, Michael Carpenter/WENN.com
Miss: It goes without saying that Rose Byrne wore a dress from Jill Stuart’s Fall 2012 collection when she went to check out the designer’s exhibition. Unfortunately, the only thing that the actress’s sheer suspender dress left to the imagination was how lovely she might’ve looked if she had chosen something else. Sheer is still a big trend for fall, but this number just reminds me too much of the time Lil Kim wore suspenders—and nothing else.
Hit: At the Elle Fashion Next Fit runway show, Alexa Chung did the perfect peekaboo in a sheer white dress by Carven. A good rule of thumb is that even if you took away the sheer overlay, the solid white underneath would still pass for a dress. Chung’s look is sweet and fashion-forward—and she’s smart to wear sheer white while the season still allows.
Trend #3: Leather Suit
Photos: Stefan Jeremiah/WENN.com
Miss: Angela Simmons has clearly embraced the leather trend. The reality star/shoe designer turned up at the Alice + Olivia presentation wearing head-to-toe black leather. I appreciate the adventurous spirit, but this biker-inspired outfit proves that leather is best when incorporated as a touch of edginess rather than the main event.
Hit: Let’s hear it for the boy! I don’t usually feature the coarser sex on Style Showdown, but I think that blogger extraordinaire Bryanboy’s leather suit is a look that could—with a few changes—work for a woman too. This summer was all about leather and short suits, but this might be the first time I’ve seen the two trends brought together. Bryanboy did well sticking to black for his outfit and adding playful touches with patterned shoes and a bright clutch. I would love to see a fashionable lady in a suit with leather shorts before the season’s over.
Bonus! Trend #4: Red Robes
Photos: Anthony Dixon/WENN.com, B. Dowling/WENN.com
Style icon Andre Leon-Talley and Paula Abdul were both seeing red at NYFW, which made me feel like I was seeing double.
