Bold Shoulder

The decorative focus rests squarely on our shoulders, darlings, and not in the manner of the deplorable 80s pouf, either! Whether garishly overdone or delightfully playful, bold shoulders took center stage on the runways, and they’ve made their way into the shops as well!

Though exaggerated to a virtually unwearable extent, the angular sculptural forms protruding from this Konstantina Mittas dress are noteworthy because they encapsulate fashion's current superhero obsession. Photo at top right via Vogue Australia. Go to www.vogue.com/au.

The inverted triangle shape created by the Mittas shoulder is echoed in this subtly striped Amaya Arzuaga minidress; photo via Spanish Vogue, at http://www.vogue.es/.
Bottega Veneta interprets the bold-shouldered blazer in a decidedly modern way, keeping the bodice fitted and the collar wide. It is pure genius that the additional volume is created not by garish padding (a la "Working Girl"), but by the delicate and purposeful placement of an extra fold of fabric, creating a clean line where there might otherwise have been an awkward shoulder seam! Photo courtesy nymag.com.
At Kenzo, where wearable plants sprouted from the runway for Fall 2008, the model is nearly swallowed whole by an oversize tulip-shaped confection. The linear shoulder stands in playful contrast to the billowing hem of the minidress.
At Chanel Couture, a magenta dress gets an exaggerated hourglass shape by the use of twisted mounds of fabric at the shoulders. CC loves this one!
Christian Dior Couture takes the oversize shoulder asymmetrical, with a frothy leopard-print creation tightly cinched at the waist.
Black lace gets a poufy black satin shoulder cap at Christian Lacroix Couture.
Most shocking and fanciful of the lot, the left shoulder at Anne Valerie Hash Couture is adorned by a space-age egg with a sculptural cutout revealing a shiny gold lining. CC wonders how this pod is attached and whether it will be sold in the boutiques...
It takes a true fashionista to sport one of the above designs.
But runway does translate to real way, as with Paul and Joe's short sleeve baby blue double breasted jacket, a more approachable take on the outsize shoulder.

CC adores this purple Fendi structured sleeve dress, at Neiman Marcus.
And we might actually wear this Marc Jacobs pale yellow colorblock dress; photo via elle.com.

Alexander McQueen offers several pared-down versions of the runway trend. Top, wing embroidered dress;

Bottom, enhanced shoulder belted dress. Both at Net-a-Porter.com.

Another gorgeous possibility? This stone-hued RM by Roland Mouret Moon dress. Loving!!! Also at net-a-porter.

Can you shoulder the trend? [How] would you do it?

Fashion credits: Runway photos in this post courtesy style.com, except where noted.

I LOVE THE 80s

It’s official . . . they’re baaaaaaack. To jog your memory, see the cinematic wonders of the decade at http://www.fast-rewind.com/. Dress the part with fluorescent socks; Madonna bracelets; Jordache jeans; Vans, jellies, tricked-out Nikes or patent pumps; leg warmers or stirrup pants; Wayfarers; and dangly bright plastic earrings. While the iconic pieces pictured in the collage above are all "vintage", the rest of this post consists entirely of CURRENT fashion trends, all nods to the past but available NOW!

Some famous 80s labels that have recently reinvented themselves include: Lacroix, Halston, and Norma Kamali, and Ossie Clark. Other 80s trends that have been resurrected? Sperry Topsiders; Moon Boots; Tretorns; bodysuits; lanyards; and side ponytails. And don’t forget about Member Only jackets like this delightmare gold version at right, for purchase at traceyross.com !

An undeniably retro look by Enrico Coveri (photo at right taken from Italian Vogue’s coverage of the fall runway shows in Milan) is the modern embodiment of the 80s bright minidress, tights and booties trend. Awesome!

Ra Creations reminds us simultaneously of feather-trim roach clips and friendship bracelets with this Marykate peacock hair clip, for purchase at shopbop.com. Dope!

Don't forget your leggings! Whether they are leopard or lace, like Kova and T's (pictured at right and available at ronherman.com). Apparently Lindsay Lohan, determined to see that her favorite clothing item remains on the radar, has jumped on the legging-design bandwagon (though I have yet to see her creations in any store). Rad!

Of course, we all know how to channel the 80s with some fab retro sneakers. But how to go dressy, you ask? Darlings, fear not: the deliciously decadent footwear for Fall 2008 will keep you right in step with the Wall Street crew.

Just check out these fluorescent pink Emilio Pucci patent leather lace-up boots (at right).

Or, even more tragically hip, Christian Louboutin's ridiculously patterned leather and suede high-heel boots (at left). Both photos via style.com. Bitchin'!

I totally did a Jane Fonda double-take when I saw this photo of a performance by Girls Aloud at dailymail.com/uk. Holy leotards, Batman!

Well, darlings, it is true: girls just wanna have fun!