Runway to Remember

by Baileigh Johnson
photographs by Rafael Tongol

FRIENDLY FEATHERS
This summer saw a very old look made new again with feathers galore, in your hair and on your clothes. Feather hair extensions add intriguing colors, textures and highlights to your hair. On vests and coats, speckled contour or quill feathers are an exciting addition. At the eponymous fashion show, ever-stylish Harriett Lake wore one of her trademark hats that made use of what was surely the entire bird.

THE NEW NEUTRAL
Whites, blacks, grays and tans are the neutrals that are traditionally considered to be both interchangeable and pair-able. But a newcomer to the family has emerged over the past several years: olive green. It works when paired with its neutral cousins. It works when it stands alone. It even works with other colors, such as rust and plum. Embrace it now with layering techniques and try it with airy whites and beiges come spring.

LEATHER SLEEVES
Ever since Emma Watson was spotted at the pre-BAFTA party in London wearing a Burberry beige trench coat with biker-leather sleeves, the fashion world has been kowtowing to the leather look. Zara sells a version with an army-green torso; Phillip Lim designed a herringbone sweater with leather sleeves. These days, if it has sleeves (coats, sweaters and T-shirts alike), they’re likely leather. Accessorize with neutrals and a swipe of wine-colored lipstick.

SLIT SKIRT
It’s smart to stick with a style that connects length with allure. Now you see it, now you don’t is a time-honored strategy for both the conservatively inclined and the fashion-forward. Either way, avoid wearing longer tops with this cut: Either tuck in or crop.

SEQUINED SPARKLE
Madonna did it in the ’80s with outrageous bras; Michael Jackson did it in the ’90s with blinged-out blazers. Once the province of performers, sequins are now adding sparkle to evening gowns and statement accessories worn by the rest of us. Though they may still be a bit much for a trip to Target, a sequined cardigan, a dazzling top or even shimmering shorts are now completely acceptable for event-wear. Accessorize with an up-do, winged eyeliner and plenty of confidence.