Incorporating Fashion Week trends in your everyday wardrobe

The economy might be struggling, but that can’t stop one of New York’s biggest events: Fashion Week, which ran from Feb. 13 to this Friday.

If you’re not a big fashion follower, New York Fashion Week is basically of the same importance to every fashionista as the Super Bowl is to every sports fanatic.  

Designers featured their clothing lines amid all the glitz and glam in Bryant Park while celebrities and buyers scoped out the trends for the fall 2009 season.

What is in store for this coming season?

Well, the past. The 1980s, in fact.

Marc Jacobs in particular showcased this distinct decade with vivacious hues, voluminous shoulders and metallic finishes. Betsey Johnson echoed this idea, but added her edginess with outrageous prints and mismatched colors, cuts and styles.

Oscar de la Renta also integrated poofy shoulders and contrasting colors. Some of his
most eye-catching outfits mixed red and pink or red and blue.

Pamela Rolland’s line was on the darker side of the color spectrum but still incorporated the ’80s look in her glossy fabric selection and pointy-toed shoes.

Silhouettes also alluded to the decade. Lines featured boxy tops and pencil skirts or skinny jeans.

These styles from Fashion Week are appearing in stores already.

If you are on a budget, Forever 21 is great place to shop the latest trends with items starting as low as $3. The store’s Web site features a spot called “Electric Avenue,” which offers ’80s-inspired pieces such as neon jelly bracelets, lime green tights and retro plastic shades.

We have to understand, however, that designers use fashion shows to catch people’s attention. It does not necessarily mean we should copy every aspect from an outfit on the runway.

Sure, the ’80s look is fun, but it is also the most criticized by the fashion police. In my opinion, shoulder pads, leg warmers and big hair needs to stay out of style.

If you want to incorporate this new trend into your wardrobe, think moderation.
It’s fine to wear flashy colors, but instead of matching an electric yellow shirt with
some baby blue pants, pick just one bold item to tone down the outfit.

Common trends among designs include fur, ruffles, feathers, lace, leggings and stripes.

Take these elements and incorporate them as accents.

For example, instead of covering yourself head-to-toe with feathers, wear feathered earrings. Or, instead of draping your body in ruffles, find jackets, cardigans, blouses or dresses with a ruffle trim.

I suggest sticking to simplicity – those who find a balance between the basics and the trends define glamour.