Fashion Fall 2007 Winter 2008

In contrast to the shorter days, lengthening hemlines and cooling temperatures, the world of jewelry heats up this fall casting welcome shades of warm jewel-tones into the dimming corners of 2007.

This season’s clothing and accessory fashions see the continuance in juxtaposition between materials and styles present in this spring and summers trends. Among these fashionable contradictions are: the ‘Gender-Bender’ versus the ‘Movie Diva’, the tapered ‘Pencil’ waistline versus oversized ‘Baggy’ knitwear, soft ‘Quilted’ textures versus ‘Crystal’ embellishments and ‘Raven Black and Flannel Gray’ versus ‘Purple Wine and Chili Pepper Red.’

The Gender Bender

Inspired by equal opportunity and the unisex ethos, this style is epitomized by the classic suit: wide slacks and double-breasted jackets. Military wear and uniforms are key influences this season, so a classic military trench length coat would be an ideal over-garment.

A great conformist outfit for the office, the ‘Gender Bender’ rebels with the addition of feminine accessories: Bold cuff bracelets in sterling silver, plain silver and gold plated chains, charms and silver bangles add a touch of high-octane sheen to the somber but smart monochromes of raven black, flannel gray and off-white of the ‘Gender Bender’ suit.

The Movie Diva

The ‘Diva’ is fashion's tribute to the show-stopping female form exhibiting an elegance echoing Hollywood's golden age. Purple, ruby red or sapphire blue floor-length gowns with plunging décolletages, elbow-length gloves, Mary Jane platform pumps, bold red lipstick and Veronica Lake waves are the essential elements.

Accessories to match such extravagant evening and event-wear this season come in the form of chiffon and velvet wraps, feather boas, grab bags encrusted with multicolored crystals and sequins. Oversized baubles are the perfect ladylike extravagance: huge silver cocktail rings and earrings burning with scintillating Swarovski crystal, Amethyst, Garnets, CZ, Topaz and Citrine.

Pencil Lines & Waistlines

This style is inspired by 30’s and 40’s fashions where the ideal was full-figured, curvaceous and well…female! The essential elements for this look are pencil line or easy-to-wear slim-fit skirts with pleats and hemlines finishing just below the knee tapered at the waist with a slim belt, strong shoulders and a ladylike blouse with more pleats on the sleeves and mid to high-heeled shoes.

On those colder days the whole look can be finished off with a thigh-skimming cocoon, cape style or a shorter length overcoat tied at the waist with a broad belt: a high profile accessory for fall and winter. This minimalist look accommodates discreet jewelry such as silver charm bracelets and gold plated heart pendants, just as much as bolder statement-jewelry like jeweled metal bangles with pretty delicate designs and oversized silver jewelry in CZ, Murano glass or Swarovski crystal.

Oversized Baggy Knitwear

In contrast to the defined pencil silhouette one of the keynote looks this fall is the oversized jumper dress in giant stitching. Thick and chunky cardigans with knitted ruffles are the alternative to coats. These can be completed with outsized scarves and ski jumpers in extravagant knits paving the way forward from fall to winter.

Covering up is critical business this winter and fall season, equestrian-style quilted coats, and padded jackets are seeing a comeback. As the limelight falls firmly on the waist, thick belts are this seasons defining accessory. This particular look is all about textures, offset these soft materials with glittering metallics: palladium, platinum, white gold or sterling silver jewelry depending on your budget.

Colors

Alongside the traditional muted rustic fall colors of brown carafe, burnt ochre, green moss, stargazer and shale green, comes a bevy of warm jewel tones in cashmere rose pink, chili pepper red and yellow lemon-curry. However the dominating color this season is purple wine, a regal shade that will sway fashion heavily this fall. Choose solid masses of complementary color; employ the same shades in a number of layers, and complement with similar colors and tones in your accessories.

Black is back this fall and winter with matt jet-black tones overlaid on satin raven-blacks sparkling with crystals, creating a contrast of textures and tones. Grays ranging from flannel to metallic are essentials as are snow queen whites and creams.

Accessories & Tips

Shine on! Elegance and opulence are keystones in autumn and winter 2007. Finish your desired looks with additional accessories fashioned from exotic feathers, paillettes, outsized crystals, and dresses drenched in sequins.

Matt & Metallic: The metallic look in silver and bronze are big again this autumn, wear separates in different finishes for contrast: matt skirts with shiny blouses, shiny trousers and jackets with fine knits.

Big & Bold: Oversize crystal accessories in silver bracelets and bangles. Amethyst rings and earrings, pink topaz pendants, sparkling red cubic zirconia, ostentatious Murano glass…Go for heavy rather than delicate decoration!

Purple Reigns: From lazy lavender, hazy heliotropes to profound violet: Purple is the princess of all she surveys!

White Metal Cuff Bracelets & Bangles: The dominant jewelry style this autumn and winter is the application of big gems, crystals and enamel into bold palladium, rhodium plated, and silver statement jewelry. A necessity!

Baubles! Cocktail rings are the second must-haves for the party season. At silvershake.com you’ll find them with options of a variety of over fifty gem types from Amethyst to Zircon to match your outfit, adding the quintessence of ladylike femininity.

Sterling Silver Summer Jewelry Fashions Of 2007

Speaking for myself, the world of seasonal ‘Haute Couture,’ or high fashion as we know it, is exactly that…High! In fact, in financial and physical terms it’s so high that it’s completely out of my reach! Unfortunately no excuse, financial or otherwise, is good enough to appease the skinny fashionista that sulks beneath the surface of this mushrooming 30-year old mother of two on a budget! So how can I shape up and get myself in tune with this summer's fashions?

Well, aside from an on-hand 24-hour liposuction crew, more face-lifts than downtown New York and the sweetest of one-cal sugar daddies…not much! Happily, with the on-line world of information and affordable choice, those inconvenient inadequacies, stretched elastics and even tighter purse strings are as they say, excuse my French, ‘Passé.’ With the Internet’s choices, there really are no excuses not to update our wardrobes and still stay within budget! So what are the hottest fashion tendencies, colors, accessories and jewelry styles for the summer 2007?

Some of the most appealing concepts and styles for this summer are ‘Futuristic’ –based around geometrics in metallic silver and gold, ‘Monochrome’ – Beat classic black and white styling, ‘Tribal’ – Ethnic global styles and ‘Baby Pastel’ colors that dominate this summer’s tendencies.

Monochrome is everywhere this summer from Dior, Givenchy to YSL. Think of the concept a long the lines of the Beat generation of the 1960s, and the model Edie Sedgwick of Warhol’s Factory.

Black and whites are incredibly classy, sophisticated and above all easy to put together. All clothing is acceptable, but especially hot are mini dresses, slacks and shorts. Go for patterns of big bold swirls, stripes, diamonds, checks and dogs-tooth just as long as they are black and white your safe.

A far as accessories are concerned big black sunglasses are a must, and when I say big I mean Jackie Onassis big. Jewelry is preferable in 60’s hip styling, big hoop and drop earrings, cocktail rings and bracelets echoing the New York monochrome set. Some really lovely matching gems to consider are black onyx and black and white mother of pearl, again this would look better set into silver for the overall look, and considering silver is the in-color highly appropriate.

Tribal, also referred to as Ethnic, is an amalgam of styles inspired by materials, patterns, textures and colors from a smorgasbord of different cultures across the globe from Antarctica to Zanzibar. These warm, human ‘Roots Vibes’ fashions are reactions to the often hard-edged and overly pretentious hi-tech modern lifestyles, bearing witness to a welcome revival in the belief of good old human values.

Bold prints are the order of the day, but nothing is written, it’s up to your tastes and what look you want to go for. For me the safari flavor is one I find especially appealing, not animal prints - save that for the accessories, but Katharine ‘African Queen’ Hepburn sophistication – cotton desert shorts or slacks with wedge-heeled espadrilles and fitted linen military shirts in pastels. Colors are essentially neutral and earthy with bleached out whites and grays, and as is the case for most fashions this season pastel tones like café crème, silver peony, tarragon and golden apricot.

Tribal clothing styles are as eclectic as their multi-cultural foundations and the organic fabrics and materials used: cottons, linen, flax leather, silk, satin and hemp. Organic materials play an especially strong role in the jewelry. Add handmade natural gemstone jewelry such as Shiva shell earrings, mother of pearl rings, and of course wood bangles in abundance. Silver, one of the key color tendencies that pops-up everywhere this season, should be your jewelry base; multi-layered silver bangles are especially good for the Tribal look.

The futurist style is at the opposite end of the spectrum from the earthy Tribal and Boho styles. It is also one of the most daring trends to come out this summer. Vogue dubbed it: Space Odyssey, inspired by Kubric’s 2001 movie and David Bowie’s glam-rock Ziggy Stardust. These clothes have a futuristic hard edge, an 80s touch with a twist of punk-rock attitude.

As a complete look this is definitely not for Walmart on a Monday afternoon, it’s high shine and high-octane glamour using amongst other standard materials foil and Perspex! But that doesn’t mean you can’t use elements of these shiny silver metallic materials as belts, shoes, accessories and jewelry in day-to-day wear.

It goes without saying that silver jewelry is a must for this style. Go for geometric shaped silver jewelry for that futuristic look: stars, squares, circles and oblongs. Choose plain unadorned hammered cuff-bracelets, charms and hoop earrings. If you want to include some gemstone jewelry, try white Shiva shell and multicolored mother of pearl inlay, which are consistent with both the Tribal and this ‘Barbarella’ futurist style.

Colors & Accessory Tips

Pastels: Yellow is big this summer, sky blue and golden apricot too. Balance with neutrals.
Patterns: Oversized big polka dots, bold floral, Gingham, animal print - include some humorous personality in your get ups!
Skirts: particularly long white ones with lacy ruffles.
Mini Dresses: 60’s styling don’t be afraid to show those legs off!
Wedge Espadrilles and Platforms: Great with shorts and minis.
Hair bands: Wide and bright or slender and feminine.
Silver Accessories: Shiny glittering handbags– Bling it up!
Bold Jewelry: One large item or an assortment of smaller ones bunched as one - big wooden bangles, layered and cuff silver bracelets and beads.
Jewels & Gems: Bling-Bling natural gems and crystals, blue and yellow topaz is a favorite.

So there it is, my message going out to all the ‘Not So’ beautiful women past their expiration dates with little hope of return, is this…It’s never too late! So get online and start shopping for those summer deals now, and feel like a million for a couple of bucks!!


Copyright © SilverShake Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Written by Silver Fox for SilverShake, an online retailer of summer jewelry fashions for 2007 and sterling silver jewelry at wholesale prices. Purchase today and get silver jewelry worth up to $60...Free!