Fashion Trends 2011

Maxi dresses would never get old to me especially because now they are making them sheer!

Fusion of maxi dresses and the sheer fashion trend.

Lace dress / lace skirt: women's trend

Right now you're thinking that this is nothing new. And you're right; 

it's an extension of the sheer trend that's has, for some time, firmly cemented itself as its own, independent trend. So what follows is, instead, more about how to wear the trend now, and how to set yourself apart from the masses - so that you can bring it forwards and into a new league.

Types of lace

How to wear it

The ultimate balance of lace in 2010 / 2011 is to be romantic but not over-girly; sensual but not over-suggestive. Like taking beautifully crafted lace that would have once been part of a garment and making it the only layer. The lace isn't an added detail of a garment, it is the garment. And thus we come to lace skirts and lace dresses. Dare to wear them without a slip underneath. Just keep the cut a little more relaxed or the hem a little longer to maintain that aforementioned balance.

Crochet and macrame fashion trend

Crochet maxi dress at Emilio Pucci, SS11

Macrame

What is macrame?

No doubt you already have a picture of crochet pieces in your head. When it comes to macrame, think of a similar visual finish, but with a big difference in the piece's construction: macrame is made by knotting the main fabric to great visual affect. It's a craft most often associated with 19th century sailors, who made all kinds of macrame objects in their spare time - with shipping rope, or from leather, yarn, twine or other sturdy materials. For those who lived through it, macrame was a trend in homewares back in the 1970s - think wall hangings and pot-plant holders (the likes of which your parents or relatives may still be hoarding from their younger days.)

What macrame is being used for in 2011

Macrame is mostly used for accessories and objects; because it's constructed of knots it can be bulky and have little stretch to it. Nevertheless, 2011 sees it used on clothing and accessories alike.

Because it can often have a very open weave, macrame is 2011's perfect accompaniment to beachwear. Just have a look at the examples from Gucci and Christian Dior below - an open-weave macrame dress is ideal for layering over a bikini, monokini or bodysuit.

Crochet

What is crochet?

Crochet isn't knotted like macrame; it's made from loops of yarn, created using a single hooked needle. Hence, it's very delicate but not so delicate as to be a lace. Nonetheless, crochet is closely tied to the current lace trend with the two clothing trends overlapping overlapping. For the purpose of this article we're defining crochet as the heavier, 70s inspired examples as opposed to more delicate crocheted lacework. Thematically the look of crochet in 2011 is closer to that of macrame.

Macrame and crochet: styles in 2011

Both crochet and macrame in 2011 rode in, partially, on the wave of a 1970s revival. This was reflected in the colour palette dominating the spring / summer 2011 runways: earthy tones, browns and oranges, creams and whites. Pieces are based on hippy, festival chic inspirations, but overall the aesthetic is still luxurious with a modern sense of refinement.

70s inspired dress and granny square bag at Ferragamo, SS11

Macrame in particular also heralds in a subtle nautical revival, seen as well in the naval-inspired stripes and numerous pairs of wide-leg sailor pants gracing the runways. Do think luxury nautical though; the kind you'd be seen wearing on a yacht in St Tropez. It should be elegant, sexy, and unfussy.

Nautical-inspired macrame at Dior, SS11

Crochet and macrame accessories

For spring 2011 your options for adding this trend to your wardrobe are ample; including a variety of accessories. Woven shoes (like those at Prada and Gucci) are perfectly now; and even more perfectly in line with the look are the intricate sandals seen at the likes of Jen Kao and Malandrino.

Malandrino's SS11 macrame sandals

How to wear it: crochet and macrame

We've already mentioned that the main thematic inspirations behind the trend are the hippy seventies and the early sailors of the seven seas. But what to pair your pieces with specifically? Here are a few key looks you can create with macrame and crochet in 2011.

Boho fringing at Roberto Cavalli, SS11

• Look for pieces the end in exaggerated fringing, a la Roberto Cavalli (pictured above) for a high-impact boho luxe look.
• Pair a crochet top or vest with an updated pair of bell bottoms and a floppy felt hat for a look that's straight out of the '70s yet oh-so-now.
• Many a crochet bikini is available, though perhaps not the most practical garment for swimming they can work brilliantly poolside or under a pair of denim shorts in Summer.
• Bring the tribal trend of previous seasons into 2011 with macrame pieces in earthy colours paired with tribal prints.
• Go ultra modern and sexy with a stark, minimalist take like Julien MacDonald's white mini-hemmed crochet dress (below).

Julien MacDonald, SS11

Images: style.com

Tassels: a symbol of luxury

If you think of tassels only as a furniture trimming, think again. Tassels originated thousands of years ago and throughout their history were used as symbols of status: both military rank, and religious order. In 16th and 17th century France passementerie, the art of tassel making, was a booming one, with ornate handmade tassels representing wealth and power: no palace interior was complete without silk tassels dripping from its rich brocade curtains and velvet cushions. But once the 20th century rolled around and moderation became the new aesthetic, the days of ostentatious trimmings faded sadly away.

Now, in a time of global instability and flux, we return to luxury. But as we see it, luxury as craftsmanship. It may be in the minimal yet beautifully crafted aesthetic that's prominent right now, or it may be in a little ornament, the tassel, that carries connotations of opulence - but that sits well and truly on the opposite side of glitzy. So when it comes to investing in pieces with tassel detailing, quality is key: a well-made tassel, be it silk or leather, carries that sense of luxury and authenticity.

Ropes and tassels

Ropes and tassels are natural companions, so it follows that we're seeing plenty of ropes being incorporated into both clothing and accessories. Rope detailing can either be very luxurious and exotic (see Gucci, below) or more to the nautical side, for example wedges or espadrilles with rope ties.

The tassel in 2011

While it's been a constant to see the odd, small tassel on leather accessories like handbags and purses, we're now seeing them prominently - oversized, extra long, brightly coloured or made to stand out in some way. And it's no longer just handbags: for Spring 2011 they're on everything from shoes to dresses to belts and hats.

Shoe tassel at Unique SS11

Bikini 2011 / swimwear 2011 / 2012 trends

Vintage-inspired swimwear

There's a scene in 1956's High Society where Grace Kelly kneels poolside and pushes a model boat, the True Love, across the still water. She's wearing a white halterneck swimsuit that ends in a small, ruffled skirt; her chin-length hair is neatly curled, her feet are bare. Never has a swimsuit looked so elegant.

Of course it's the bombshells, the pin-ups, of the same era we're more inclined to think of when it comes to 1950s swimsuits in particular - the Marilyn Monroes and the Jayne Mansfields. They're playful, curvaceous, steeped in sex appeal. And so the reason we refer to the former is to balance out the latter: vintage-style swimwear has a huge place in 2011 and onwards, but it doesn't have to be all strawberry cheesecake cliches. And the right piece can be whatever you want it to be, as bombshell as Monroe or as sophisticated as Kelly.

Nor does a vintage bikini or swimsuit have to be like a pin-up girl costume. In 2011 many designers are infusing vintage-inspired details into modern pieces - a high-waist here, a vintage print there - and the results can be perfect for the zeitgeist.

Crochet bikinis

Influenced both by the return of 1970s fashion and the crochet clothing trend as an independent spring / summer 2011 trend, crochet bikinis, crochet swimsuits and open weave pieces that have the same effect, are not just on-trend this season, they're the must-have fashionable swimwear style.

And for good reason too: when worn right, crochet swimwear offers up that elusive cocktail of sex appeal and reality that every woman wants from her swimsuit. After all, the perfect crochet swimwear doesn't just show off the body and allude to more of it, its intricate wide stitch catches the eye, drawing the viewer in while distracting them from any flaws, imagined or otherwise, that you might wish to not have noticed.

The other benefit to a crochet swimwear piece is that it borders neatly on daywear. Pair a crochet monokini with denim cut-offs for a look that ticks all the festival fashion boxes; or with some crisp wide-leg pants or a midi-skirt for those resort afternoons.

One-shoulder bikinis / swimsuits

One-shoulder bikinis and swimsuits were all the rage back in 2009, but as 2010 progressed they, like the trend that inspired them, slowly lost popularity. And to be completely fair, that is a fact that hasn't really change for 2011 and 2012. The one shoulder bikini is not the swimwear trend, but it's still a great look, still a great point of differentiation, and there is still a particular way to wear it in 2011 / 2012.

For the next two years the one shoulder bikini is all about the 'statement shoulder'. Back in 2009 this style of bikini had two key features:

1. a thin, single shouldered strap
2. the colour of the strap was the same as the bikini / swimwear

In 2011 / 2012 the opposite is now true for on-trend, one shouldered swimwear. For the next two years the fashionable one shouldered bikinis and one shouldered one pieces have:

1. a thick, single shouldered strap
2. a colour contrast between the strap and the rest of the bikini

Statement strapping

The term string bikini has particular connotations, connotations that carry with them a particular level of sexiness. And 'sexy' is an oft desired quality of any bikini. While string bikinis aren't out of fashion in 2011 / 2012, neither are they on-trend. You can still borrow from them, however, should you wish to choose a bikini for the season that features the very on-trend 'statement strap'.

We call this particular bikini trend strapping and not stringing because it's been created in both string thin and wider cuts.

Crop tops in 2011

The styles on the spring 2011 runways were many and various; from teeny, tiny tops to the smallest hints of skin. To break it down, here are some of the different ways we've seen cropped tops on the runway:

• With elegance: the merest slit along the waistline of a dress, turning it into a two-piece ensemble broken up only by a shallow hint of skin. YSL and Chloe were spring 2011 masters of this subtle take.

Elegantly bared midriff at Yves Saint Laurent, SS11

Fighting fit with stomach fully bared: Rag & Bone and Ohne Titel brought us sporty examples that are perfectly sexy for those with the confidence to pull them off. These type of cropped tops end just below the bust, and were paired with hipster pants for a revealing end result. You could just as easily substitute the hip-huggers for a high waisted bottom half, though, if you wanted to add some modesty.

Sporty crop top at Rag & Bone, SS11

• Beneath a sheer layer: adding a layer of transparent fabric is the perfect way to combine the ongoing popularity of the sheer trend with the newness of the exposed midriff.

Sheer layered over a crop top Richard Chai, SS11

• With cutaway detailing: expect many dresses to hit the shelves with cutaway details that expose parts of the stomach or midriff.

Cutaway midriff at 3.1 Phillip Lim, SS11

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