Greenwich Fashion Forecast—Fall 2004

The major change of fall/winter 2004 is the shift from the street to the estate. From low slung pants to tweeds and twinsets. From pop divas to grand dames - Britney to the Duchess of Windsor. From New Hollywood to Old Hollywood - JLo to Harlow.

The "new" vintage-inspired clothes, now upgraded from thrift shop to auction worthy, best exemplify the new class action. As vintage moves to rich and well-bred, fashion's glory years of the late '20's and early '30's inspire remembrances of times past. Many designers merge the '40's and '50's with a cross between rich urban cosmopolitan and eccentric.

Understanding the zeitgeist of the moment is one thing. Dressing for it is another. So how does one incorporate furs, jewels, men swear and delicate femininity, bows, vintage and glamour into an outfit?
The answer: Mix it up and call it the new eclecticism. If you get it right, each individual piece can join a union without losing its independence.

The one totally feminine mark of the season is the bow. Another signpost of the season, the common thread in the fashion fabric for fall, is fur. From capes to coats, jackets, shrugs, scarves, borders, trims and bags furs are vaulting to the top of the charts.

Back in the days of the aristocracy, jewelry was a big measure of wealth and status. Jewels will be found on everything from belts, handbags, sweaters and evening dresses.

The key ingredients for the season are the fur shrug, the cardigan and/or twin set, the jeweled anything, the pencil skirt, the cape and the refined coat.

COLOR TRENDS

The purple family including, mauve, lilac, violet and plum, and the green family, including lime, grass, fir and teal are the most dramatic chromatics for fall, with camel, gray and dark navy the big neutrals. Brown also looks like a sure winner for one big reason - it makes us feel safe. Color guru Leatrice Elseman attributes the security factor of the brown family to its association with earth.

Red is the new black. It is pervasive in shades from lipstick to Chinese lacquer red to ruby.

FABRICS TRENDS

Tweed, cashmere, corduroy, satin, velvet, brocade, jersey and lace are the fabrics of the season, appearing day and night, often flecked with jewels or metallic yarns,

Leopard markings are a major print motif, followed by zebras and paisleys. It is definitely the season for fabric manipulation including pleating, draping, ruching, pintucking and shirring.

ACCESSORIES

Fur is the accessory of the season, fur as trims, fur in bags. The fur shrug is your best bet for that WOW appeal.

Shoes: The round-toe pump is the shoe favorite.

Bags: There isn't any IT bag this season. There are many IT bags. Remember fur bags for newness.

Jewelry: The brooch is your best bet. Pins clustered in trio's, pins on jacket lapels, sweaters and hats.

Belts: The beaded belt, an instant update to anything it encircles.

Makeup: Colors are earthy and neutral.