Fashion Trends for Winter 2006

By Jacqui O'Brien

Fall and winter 2006 fashion trends see designers moving towards smart, androgynous looks, British influenced classics, and eighties retro styling.

The smart trend includes pencil skirts, smart blouses and wide trousers with turn-ups. Jackets are fitted, either 80's cropped style or a 'borrowed-from-the-boyfriend' tuxedo. The catwalks were also full of shift dresses and crisp white blouses teamed with ladylike accessories.

The androgynous look is epitomized by a continuation of last summer's trend for skinny jeans along with cigarette pants. The season's hot coat is tipped to be the parka, another masculine look, made feminine in a shiny fabric.

If you prefer a more girlie look, this season's skirt length is the mini, ranging from just above the knee to very short indeed. The look is a mini skirt worn with opaque tights, or a mini dress worn over leggings. As the dresses get shorter, tops are getting longer, almost to tunic length, and so may be interchangeable.

Once again many designers were showing the influence of traditional British clothing with tweeds, tartans and checks used for coats, dresses, skirts and trousers. You may have the elements of this look in your wardrobe already, so if you stashed your classics now is the time to get them out of storage.

An eighties vibe ran through many of the collections; as well as the baggy top over leggings look, there were neon colors teamed with black, black and white graphics and well, more black.

If you want a new coat and feel a parka isn't your thing then the shape being offered for this winter is a rounded shape dubbed either the 'egg' or the 'cocoon'. This voluminous silhouette can also be worn by getting into this seasons chunky knits in Aran, Nordic and Fair Isle designs. Tulip shaped dresses and skirts were also in evidence.

After the colorful shades of spring/summer 06 the color for autumn is grey, in any shade from dove to charcoal. If you need a little more color in your life then ruby red is the color for this season's party dress. The only pattern to be seen in is an animal print which can be found on everything from coats and dresses to scarves and shoes.

This season's must-have accessory is a handbag and it should be huge. Classic black, brown and tan bags are available everywhere along with dark greens and burgundy so this could be your investment purchase of the season. Belts from thin to thick were used on the catwalks to reign in the roomy sweaters and cocoon-shaped dresses.

The fashion shoe of the winter is the shoe-boot, a cross between a court shoe and a low ankle boot. There were also plenty of platform court shoes reminiscent of the early 1990's but with super high heels. Boots are knee high with either high heels or in a biker style.

For jewellery lovers, last summer's trend for wearing just one statement piece, almost always a necklace continues, with earrings and bracelets rarely seen on the catwalks.

Jacqui O'Brien admits to a passion for fashion and a love of bargains. Her website is http://www.shopping-villages.co.uk a guide to the discount and outlet stores in the UK.

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