| You’ve read my trailers for Spring 2004: "The buzz words for Spring 2004 are colour, classic and glamour. Key trends for men and women for the upcoming season include the Jazz Age or art deco, Midnight Cowboy and neo-preppy."
I told you to tease your tresses with a new ’do: "Before you do, book an appointment, take note that (hair for) Spring 2004 is all about lightening up, loosening up and modernizing Hollywood glamour. The ’80s punk thing is over for women, men should finally say goodbye to the mullet, and hard lines or asymmetric cuts will be softened with a curl."
And if that wasn’t enough to tempt you with the brighter days of spring, I threw in a coming attraction for makeup: "This season’s visage is all about pink, bronzed beauty and a natural, healthy glow."
So now, as they say in the biz, it’s show time!
Spring is finally here (barring any more late snowfalls), and it’s time to put these top trends into action by getting dressed and acting out your favourite part.
The Spring - Summer 2004 collections feature something to suit every taste and style, from revived classics in black and white to innovative sportswear in eye-popping colours and patterns.
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by this season’s offerings, why not visit your favourite video store and become inspired by past blockbusters that reflect the moment’s fashion hits?
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Colour:
This spring, colours take centre stage instead of a supporting role in your wardrobe. Go with green and use yellow without caution. Blue is definitely cool, especially the return of navy – a summer classic. Pink makes a bolder statement, especially in menswear for both work and play.
Orange and coral add pop to the colourful mix, but if you’re feeling nostalgic, then opt for black and white.
Test pattern:
Patterns range from dainty floral to bold stripes. Prada introduced scenic prints to replace fall’s optical mod prints. Another innovative print from Prada is gradation colouring (from colour to white) or the dip dye, which is a variation of tie-dye and makes more of a sophisticated statement. For the prepsters, madras returns in a variety of colours. Once again, contrast piping or tone-on-tone jacquard prints are a great way to break up the monotony of solids.
Textures:
It’s only natural for fabrics to go lighter for the season. Sticking to the classics theme, materials such as tweed, in a cotton-linen blend, refine even the most casual silhouettes. A return of seersucker, that bumpy striped cotton classic, makes men’s summer suits more interesting. Or polish your look in cotton sateen.
THE HITS
Jazz Age:
Turn to Oscar-winning material such as Chicago or They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? to be inspired by this trend. Whether you opt for the glamour of a flapper or the sophistication of Coco Chanel, the Jazz Age trend is one that looks dynamite for day or evening.
Key items:
· Beaded or sequined tops worn with slim cut pants.
· Dresses with drop waists.
· Dresses with a plunging neckline.
· Art deco prints.
· Fishnets.
· Chanel-inspired jackets or sweater sets.
· Wide-leg pants.
· Tailored suits in feminine material like satin or cotton sateen.
· Black and white spectator shoes or a variation will complete the look.
Neo-preppy:
Do you remember when the Brat Pack ruled the silver screen? Movies such as Sixteen Candles, St. Elmo’s Fire, The Breakfast Club and Less Than Zero entertained many of us through our formative years. Channel the ’80s via Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Jami Gertz or Robert Downey Jr. and sport the updated prep school looks.
Key Items:
· Deep V-neck sweaters.
· U-neck sweaters – the new crewneck, more popular in womenswear this season.
· Lacoste anything.
· Polo collar shirts, preferably with a stripe on the collar.
· Khaki pants.
· Cotton or linen blazers for guys (white is hot for the season).
· Henley tops for guys.
· Dark blue jeans (boot-cut low-rise, but relaxed fit, not too tight).
· Trench coat.
· Striped shirts.
· Prep school striped ties.
· Slip-on loafers.
· Driving moccasins.
· White tennis shoes.
· Pro-Keds.
Spaghetti Westerns:
This trend rode in from the West and dominates nearly every menswear collection for Spring 2004. Sexy Lone Star looks are inspired by films such as the Oscar-winning Midnight Cowboy starring Jon Voight. More classic looks include Rock Hudson and James Dean in Giant, and Paul Newman in Hud.
Key Items:
· Western shirts with pearl snap buttons, or the inspired version with regular buttons.
· Henley shirt worn under the cowboy shirt.
· Boot-cut denim jeans, low rise, distressed or brand new.
· Leather blazer.
· Belt with big buckle (white leather is funkier).
· Leather bracelet or cuffs.
· Bandana or long scarf tied around the neck.
· Boots or pointy shoes.
Court chic:
Whether your idea of court games include a racquet or basketball, or you prefer the naturalness of the putting green, old-school athletics dominate the spring and summer’s outdoor games. For country-club inspiration – or comic relief – check out Caddyshack or Happy Gilmore. Tennis flicks have been rare in Hollywood, so tune into Wimbledon or the U.S. Open for ideas, or better yet channel John McEnroe or Boris Becker for old-school tennis fever.
If b-ball is more your thing, there are plenty of movies to keep you in top form: Hoop Dreams, White Men Can’t Jump and, from way back in the day, Fast Break starring Gabe Kaplan, also known as Mr. Kotter from TV’s Welcome Back, Kotter.
Key items:
· Sports brands such as Adidas, Puma or Fred Perry warm up suits and footwear.
· Lacoste polo tops and shorts.
· Terry cloth wrist and headbands.
· Baseball jackets.
· Tennis shorts.
· Slim fit T-shirts with bold graphics like D&G.
· Cardigans, which look best with shorts for this season, for men or women
· J Lindeberg Red Label.
· Penguin polos and pants.
· Prada Sport.
· Banana Republic Sport line.
· White tennis shoes.
The rebel and the lady:
Classic screen rebels, such as James Dean’s troubled teen in Rebel Without a Cause and Tura Satana as Varla in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, challenged the good manners of ladies such as Natalie Wood’s Maria in West Side Story.
Whether you prefer to take a walk on the wild side or pine for your beloved, do either one in style.
Key items – rebel:
· Laser-cut leather biker jackets.
· Low-rise jeans.
· Slim-fit T-shirts.
· Sleeveless button-down shirts.
· Leather cuffs or bracelets.
· Shrunken denim jackets.
· Vintage T-shirts.
· Henley shirt.
· Tank tops.
· Motorcycle boots.
Key items – lady:
· Cardigan.
· Full skirt.
· Pencil skirt.
· Crop pants.
· Pleated mini-skirt.
· Collared button-down shirt.
· Shrunken jacket.
· Kitten-heel shoes.
· Peep-toe pumps. |
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