The Rediscovered Waist
They cinched, they shaped, they emphasized; designers focused on the area below the ribs and above the hips, with the help of ribbons (Oscar de la Renta), obis (Behnaz Sarafpour), and smooth leather belts (Derek Lam).
Pricey Niche Jeans
The fashionable eye can now distinguish the stitch pattern of a Rogan from a Joe’s at 100 yards, and doesn’t blink at paying $175 and up. Jeans became so specialized that if you only want five-button organic-cotton left-hand twill, you might have choices.
Men Cleaned Up
In 2003, guys wanted to look like a Stroke: dirty hair, dirtier jeans. This year, the boys cleaned up their collective act with preppy sweaters from Sean John, velvet blazers at Club Monaco, dandy-esque printed shirts from Etro, and trim suits at Prada).
Logo-Less Handbags
Bottega Veneta started it, but this year other luxe firms got it: The sophisticated shopper is over logos. Marc Jacobs’s Stella bears the designer’s name only on the inside, while Fendi’s double-F took a backseat to its subtly luxe hand-stitched Selleria collection.
Toes Went Round
Women’s toes are rarely shaped in a V. Perhaps this explains the morphing of the toe box this year from cruel capretto to a gentler Minnie Mouse. The charge was led by Marc Jacobs, but joined by YSL Rive Gauche, Lanvin, Marni, and others.