PGS 014-015_Fashion:KS APRIL 05 TEMP 12/14/10 8:23 AM Page 12 2011 Spring Fashion Forecast Cool Knits ©Brian Buckley Add Pizzazz to Spring by Eleonora Natili O nce again, it is time to update your spring/summer wardrobe, and the exciting new knitwear trends presented by leading design houses in New York, Milan, and Paris are a great place to look for inspiration. jacquards were show-stoppers at Mercedes–Benz Fashion Week in New York. Or you might try your hand at sweaters that casually wrap and tie around the waist, a look favored by iconic Milanese designer Miuccia Prada. Keeping the market abuzz right now is the emphatic return to more feminine dressing, which means less emphasis on mannish styles (as well as on over-the-top girlie looks). Whether they work or are The easy tunic that subtly hints at the figure is another smart knitwear choice. Throughout the years, tunics have become classic favorites, for they not only flatter most figures with their slimming lines, but they also adapt beautifully to all occasions. Streamlined cardigan in crochet-like texture by SKOVHUUS stay-at-home moms, women today want clothes that fit with their busy lifestyles, and designers have gotten the message and are delivering the goods. Cool, streamlined silhouettes are what this year’s spring knitwear collections are all about. Although it’s nearly impossible to discern a singular focus for each collection, designers generally prefer a look of unstudied femininity and simplicity—what Italians like to call “throwaway chic.” Lean and lanky cardigan with drawstring detailing by PURE HANDKNIT 12 KNIT ‘n STYLE • April 2011 To begin with, this season’s smartest sweaters come in a bevy of flattering shapes and styles. If your taste runs to curvy, figure-emphasizing lines, you might follow the example of Marc Jacobs, whose 1970’s inspired knits in eye-riveting PURE HANDKNITS signature rib knit Button Wrap PGS 014-015_Fashion:KS APRIL 05 TEMP 12/14/10 8:23 AM Page 13 If your taste runs to more ample silhouettes, why not opt for a bubble-shape blouson with full kimono sleeves and deep bands of ribbing? Blouson jackets were seen on fashion runways everywhere, and they look especially smart when paired with cigarette-slim trousers or shapely sheath skirts. Knits that artfully drape, twist, and tie with a strong Grecian vibe are another pivotal look. Best interpreted in supple jerseys, these convertible knits can be worked that lower or raise lengths for a do-ityourself approach to dressing. Pretty lingerie touches also make waves this spring. Why not finish a garment with a perky floral corsage or border a sweater with a flirty band of ruffles? Or you might fasten a lacy cardigan with a silk or grosgrain ribbon, an extremely feminine look reminiscent of a bed jacket. Colorful patterns add lively dimension to today’s streamlined knits. Current preferences include fresh florals, giant polka dots, art deco geometrics, and fanciful sailing motifs. For added punch, some patterns are positioned front and center on garments, a detail that in no uncertain terms says, “Look at me.” Shawl-collar vest with ruffled borders by PURE HANDKNIT Those tried-and-true classics, stripes, are also quite popular. The newest approach is to run stripes diagonally rather than horizontally for a more slimming effect. Bold chevrons——the hallmarks of Missoni collections—are also seasonal favorites that never seem to go out of style. into a variety of styles, ranging from handsome capes and shawls to one-of-a-kind tops. “Why settle for one look when you can create several looks from one garment?” says Ric Fowler, owner of Rico Hand Knits, a company that specializes in these multi-purpose designs. The Pure HANDKNIT line is also on the same wavelength; their signature piece, the Button Wrap, can be worn in five distinctive ways, making it a versatile addition to any woman’s wardrobe. Skirts are also enjoying a dramatic shift in silhouette. After many seasons of short, tight minis that left little to the imagination, today’s smart lengths stop anywhere from below the knee to the ankle. Trendsetting designers, as well as the fashion media, are generally enthusiastic about the longer lengths, which they refer to as young and fresh. Lacy bare-midriff sweater and sheath skirt by LINE KNITS Along with the sweeping new shift in silhouette, spring knits are notable for their new take on detailing. In visual terms, this means cool halter necklines, asymmetric one-shoulder treatments, and intricate cutouts that resemble latticework on bodices. Also be on the lookout for zip closures instead of buttons, a detail that adds a sporty feel to garments, and drawstrings Versatile drape-and-tie jersey design by ELAN KNIT ‘n STYLE • April 2011 13