Denverites might still be wearing shorts, T-shirts and sandals, but fashion fans itching for a first look at fall styles shifted seasons when Saks Fifth Avenue hosted a recent preview for 300 people at its Cherry Creek store. From what was shown on the runway, expect black leather, sweatery tights and booties, and animal prints to be wardrobe staples when winter rolls into town.
“We’re seeing a lot of beautifully made, classic, understated clothes,” Cynthia Petrus, fashion director, said of the styles.
“People are looking for clothes that last, investment pieces that don’t go out of style,” she said, noting that consumers are “shopping very carefully and looking for value.”
If you like black and other neutral colors, it’s your season. Gray, chocolate brown and camel are options, too. Purple — or its French name, aubergine (eggplant) — is popular, as are green shades.
Petrus spotlighted several trends during the presentation, including:
The New “New Look”: Playing off the concept of Christian Dior’s New Look from 1947 but modernized for today’s woman, designers are pushing suits with strong shoulders, trench coats, dresses with belted waists. “Think of iconic, timeless classics,” Petrus says.
Knits: The sweater substitutes for a jacket or coat and is a key layering piece when done in chunky, textural stitches. Jackets from such designers as Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani are unlined and in stretchy fabrics rather than being stiff and heavily tailored. Some designers have combined knits and other materials in dresses and jackets.
Animal prints: Recolored in shades of gray, overscaled or abstract, the motif is once again a presence for fall. Animal prints also go from day to night, in suits or cocktail clothes, and show up in shoes, bags, belts and scarves.
Key accents: Women will be able to update with knee and over-the-knee boots, scarves, mixed metal jewelry and what Saks is dubbing “forever” bags — investment handbags that you’ll keep and pass down to your daughter rather than send to the consignment store next year when a new design catches your fancy.
Gothic romance: For the edgy dresser, “rock and roll with a romantic twist” is the way to go, according to Petrus. Romantic ruffled blouses worn with vests and skinny pants or leggings; leather jackets and skirts; and boots with studs, zippers and nail heads are some of the key pieces in the trend category.
Suzanne S. Brown: 303-954-1697 or sbrown@denverpost.com
