Fall/Winter 2008-09 Fashion Trends: Return Of The 'Grown-Up' Aesthetic

For any woman working in a field other than fashion, the past few years have presented a real sartorial challenge. While the baby doll dresses and loose-fitting shifts were a true joy to wear on weekends, they simply weren't appropriate attire for conservative or male-dominated workplaces. Let's face it, it's difficult to be taken seriously by colleagues and clients when one is dressed like Mia Farrow circa 'Rosemary's Baby'. There's a reason why men in finance, law and countless other professions wear suits. The suit is a uniform. It signals authority, professionalism and a certain maturity that are essential to being able to work effectively in many workplaces. The baby doll dress and short shapeless shift that have been all the rage signal something altogether different and are simply not appropriate for the workplace. Casual office attire presents an even greater burden to working women - while men can get away with a button-down shirt, khakis and a blazer (another version of the male corporate uniform), the potential sartorial traps for women are endless.

It's not that women should feel compelled to dress like men to 'fit in' with male co-workers as they did in the 1980's (it didn't work anyway). It's just that professional women require an alternative to the frilly gamine or overtly sexy aesthetics that have prevailed up until now. That's precisely why I'm so excited to see a certain more formal, 'grown-up' aesthetic emerge from the Fall/Winter 2008-09 runway shows. Tailored dresses, skirts and trouser suits are staples for professional women who want to look feminine and professional. Thanks to designers like Michael Kors, Raf Simons at Jill Sander and Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein, women who need their own workplace uniform will no longer have to wrack their brains to come up with elegant solutions. Thank you gentlemen - we owe you one!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Photographic References:

Left to right: Jill Sander, F/W 2008-09; Michael Kors, F/W 2008-09; Calvin Klein, F/W 2008-09. All photos by Marcio Madeira courtesy of Style.com.

Comments

[Fashion and Trend]

I love this years cK Fall/Winter 08/09 collection, especially their signature Grey which suits every single occasion and event.

Current creative director for Calvin Klein Collection for women, a brazilian-born Francisco Costa, did a really fantastic job for this seasons collection.

Nice report and keep posting (^-^)

Thanks.

- Rainnie

[Fashion and Trend]

I love this years cK Fall/Winter 08/09 collection, especially their signature Grey which suits every single occasion and event.

Current creative director for Calvin Klein Collection for women, a brazilian-born Francisco Costa, did a really fantastic job for this seasons collection.

Nice report and keep posting (^-^)

Thanks.

- Rainnie