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Fall and Winter Fashion Trends 2008/2009
by Clothing Type

Dresses

If you buy nothing else this season buy a dress! Dresses are big (not necessarily in size!). Lengths range from mini to maxi. And the good news is there are plenty of styles to choose from, so you should be able to find something to suit you. Dress styles include...

	Shifts and sheaths -- these look good on hourglass and rectangle horizontal body shapes. Fitted and semi-fitted will work for an hourglass figure, while the semi-fitted works best for a rectangle body shape.
	Shirt-dress -- good for hourglass and rectangle body shapes
	There are many versions of softly flowing, semi-fitted, flow-through-the waist, slightly A-line dresses available. There will be a version of this shape that suits all body types. For example, the dress shown on the far left will be particularly good for an inverted triangle body shape. The dress on the immediate left will be good for a triangle body shape.
	Dress style such as these that have vertical design lines in the drape of the fabric falling from just under the bust (far left) or a cross-over on the bust (immediate left) are particularly good for oval and diamond body shapes.
	One shoulder (far left) -- this style works for an hourglass figure and if the skirt balances the shoulders, for an inverted triangle body shape Strapless (immediate left) -- good for hourglass and rectangle body shapes. If the skirt has a soft drape this shape can work for a triangle body shape. If the skirt has a more pronounced A-line this shape can work for an inverted triangle body shape as well

Pants and Trousers

fall winter fashion trends 2008/2009: pants

Pants are still skinny leg as in leggings (including wet-look leggings) and drain-pipes, but wider, straight-leg styles and also on-the-waist and high-waisted flares both narrow and wide-legged are also in. The straight-legged styles suit all body shapes. Pick widths that balance your horizontal body shape and are appropriate for your scale.

The wider the pant leg the shorter and therefore heavier you will look. So, the very wide, flared and straight legged pants will look best if you are tall and slim, especially if you have have an inverted triangle body shape (though keep the waistline at the waist and not under the bust)

Waistlines are also going up, from the natural waist line to under the bust, especially on the wide-legged flares. If your body shape is Long Legged avoid the under-the-bust style as these will make your body look even shorter.

Skirts

The main skirt styles are...

	Pencil -- this style is best on hourglass and rectangle body shapes. If the taper of the skirt is subtle and even has a slight kick-out at the hem it will work well for a triangle body shape.
	Straight -- this style works well for hourglass, rectangle, triangle, oval and diamond body shapes.
	Also look for sculptural elements such as tiers. The one shown on the left is good for an inverted triangle body shape. The lace trend is seen in skirts too

Skirt lengths are mainly just above the knee to calf length.

Tops

Tops are such a good way to rejuvenate an outfit! And this season there's a wide variety of styles to choose from. The main trends include those mentioned above...

	Tops with 'heads-up' details -- that is, details around the neckline and top of sleeves. This neckline detailing is good for all of us. It attracts attention up to our face and away from any figure flaws we wish to camouflage! Steer away from shoulder detailing if your body shape is inverted triangle. Architectural and structural details such as tiers, ruffles and bows Strapless and one shoulder styles Tartans and checks Lace