Trends Spring/Summer 2007

As much as we adore Miuccia Prada, she started a rather disturbing trend this spring—the turban.

We moaned and groaned at first because let's face it—the turban is such an easy sartorial target (for one, it looks like a shower cap).

Then we thought, rather than simply bash this questionable headgear, let's see if we can find a case where it works—et voila, you're looking at it!

Paired with an elegant, floor-length black dress, we think this satin jewel-colored turban is the perfect accessory for evening. It's a glamorous throwback to fashion fifty years ago or so. And for some reason, it reminds us of The English Patient. It's sophisticated, chic, and hardly looks like she's hiding a bad hair day.

Perhaps that's the key: the idea that a turban can be tossed on to cover unkempt hair is a bit absurd. The woman who can successfully pull off the turban trend must wear it with resolve and clear intent.

Will you be donning a turban this season? Has fashion gone mad, or is this a fresh alternative to hats?

P.S. If you answered "yes" to the former, get your turban for $28 here. >>

Bold prints play up the season's vintage, deco, mod, floral, geometric, and folk aesthetics. Playfully positioned on feminine babydolls, easy swing tops, short dresses, empire waist and trapeze frocks, they're proof that fashion's fun side is here to stay. Wear this trend if you're feeling daring and a tad cheeky.


Nicole® by Nicole Miller babydoll top with V-neck, $44.00, JCPenney.com. You run the risk of looking preggers in certain babydolls, but this top has a flattering v-neck and back tie to help achieve a slimming effect.


Juniors' Mossimo Supply Co. Geo Printed Tube Dress reminds one of stained glass, $19.99, Target.com


A swingy Floral Kimono Dress from Lux in a gorgeous print, Now $19.99 at Urbanoutfitters.com


We absolutely adore this Diamond Deco Shift Dress because it's so fierce yet utterly effortless. Regularly $138.00, now $68.99, ArdenB.com


Sleeveless silk tunic with rectangle pattern has great details: front keyhole with faceted button closure and color block trim. Regularly $88.00, Now $43.99, ArdenB.com


We're also in love with this short-length woven cotton dress with metallic screen graphic print. Simple, modern, stunning. $22.80, Forever21.com

New trends are born every minute (or so it seems), and the latest trend to crop up is something dubbed "Foho" by the UK's Daily Telegraph.

Whether or not they were the first to actually coin the term can be debated: According to Urbandictionary.com, Foho was already defined as "faux boho," or bohemian, referring to a boho look comprised of brand-new, storebought clothes. Essentially, Foho refers to today's bohemian fashion trend rather than the lifestyle.

But the Daily Telegraph has appropriated the term Foho to mean "folk-inspired boho with a twist." Still confused? Read on:

"Foho" is about a more understated, eclectic mix, fusing classic Boho elements - Seventies silhouettes, crochet trims and trippy hippie prints - with more subtle folk pieces, such as washed-out denim and traditional embroideries. Crucially, it also throws in something modern like a great big shiny It-bag or über-cool trainers. It's cooler and far more authentic than Boho and owes more to the original folk look of the Seventies."

So there you have it. Whether you define Foho as "faux bohemian," or "edgy folk boho," you'll still end up with pretty much the same look. The bottom line is Foho is a fun look for summer that will most likely carry into fall, so get creative and get your foho on with some of these essentials:

PATCHWORK

Patchwork lends a folk-aesthetic to this Toile Jersey Tunic Top by Jean Paul Gaultier, as do the cuffed long sleeves, floaty fabric and square neckline.


Check out the Heritage 1981 clothing line at Forever21 for tons of foho looks, like this Taylor Top, $18.00 at Forever21.com. Note also the patchwork.

MAXI-DRESSES

A breath of fresh air amidst the mini-dress season, ankle-grazing maxi dresses are a hot summer trend and very Foho. With the right accessories, you can easily take this Patrick Robinson Long Pleated Dress in Ebony from day to night all summer long. On clearance for $31.49, Target.com

CROCHET

Crochet lends a hand-made, natural feel. Definitely Foho. We love this Crochet Floral Dress, $22.80, Forever21.com

EMBROIDERY

Embroidery is another Foho element (ditto on the tunic shape), as see on this Printed Voile Tunic Shirt by Sigrid Olsen, on sale for just $39.99.

PEASANT BLOUSE

The peasant blouse has also been spotted in the Foho trend. Now, we've seen some with some pretty hefty price tags, and if you ask us, a pricey peasant blouse is somewhat of a contradiction (another reason why we're inclined to say Foho is more faux-boho, and not a more authentic incarnation of the Seventies styles). However, this Embroidered Cotton/Silk Blend peasant blouse from Forever21.com is a frugal foho find at just $24.80. We can see Kate Moss pairing it with black leather pants.

Silver is the metal of the moment for accessories. This season it's being used as a modern neutral that can be worn during the day and should be blended into an ensemble, not flaunted as the center of attention. We love it because it pairs well with any skin tone and can be adapted to just about anyone's personal style.

May we offer the following affordable suggestions...


LAYNNE L, Bakers.com, $44.99


Quilted Metallic Bag, Urbanoutfitters.com, $19.99


GABBY, Bakers.com, $29.99


Petite Metallic Clutch, Forever21.com, $8.80

Pretty polka-dots are the sartorial equivalent of exclamation points—they add oomph to any fashion statement! Big or small, polka-dots are a welcome accent on accessories and liven up just about any fabric. An astute reader named Erin sent us this shot of how to work those polka-dots during the day—we think her super cute green & black frock would work just as well at night, too. Fabulous!



Crossover Polka-Dot Dress w/ Belt available in brown/white, green/black or red/black at Forever21.com. $27.50

For our mother's generation, being a hippie was a social statement that involved weaving daisy chains and smoking ganja to the sounds of the Grateful Dead. But for us, being hippie-chic is a fun fashion statement that means empire-waist frocks, breezy blouses and beaded necklaces.

Oh, the times they are a changin'.

Here's how to pull off the hippie/boho trend in today's world:

• Stick to one item at a time. It's easy to overdo this look, so stick to one hippie-chic article of clothing or accessory per outfit.
  
• Balance with something tailored. Pair a flouncy blouse with tailored shorts or a tiered-skirt with a crisp white shirt to make your look up-to-date.
  
• Add a modern touch. Think sleek silver accessories, mod lucite jewelry or fab oversized shades.

Find your inner love child with these hippie-chic inspired tops...

Tart Tunic, very Tory Burch. Forever21.com $19.80











Vintage Summer Tunic, love the jewel tones in this one. Forever21.com $19.80











Floral Drawstring Tunic, we've seen similar tops from BCBGirls for triple the price. Forever21.com $22.00










Floral Tunic, colorful ethnic-inspired "embroidery" is tres hippie chic. $24.80

A patchwork of color. A splash of hot hues. This season's runways challenge us to take risks with ::gulp:: COLOR. Be prepared to taste the rainbow with bright, bold fashion statements—from your handbag down to your shoes—and if you're really brave, give the new colored denim trend a try.

Lux Technicolor Skinny Jean in kelly green, Urbanoutfitters.com, $68.00


Tiered Tunic in yellow, jade or orange, Forever21.com, $19.80


Proenza Schouler Button Front Skirt in Avalon Sea, Target.com, $20.99


Recycled Silk Handbag, Target.com, $49.99


Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Riley Almond-Toe Pumps in Red Patent, Target.com, $29.99