The best and worst of Autumn/Winter 2006

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

The best and worst of Autumn/Winter 2006

— by Angie

on January 25, 2007

We might still have a good few months of winter weather ahead us, but we’ve seen the last of this season in store. Spring 2007 is about to explode and I can’t wait to see shops filled with the promised eruption of colour and print. Every season has its share of good and bad trends and this one in particular was rife with watershed changes in fashion. Here are my feelings on the best and worse trends of Autumn/Winter 2006.

Best:

Longer length tops – Hallelujah! The extra coverage meant that I could say goodbye to drafts up my back and down my bottom. This fundamental shift in fashion made dressing in layers easy, flattering and comfortable.
Ruffles and volume – ultra feminine styles like these were welcomed by my girly side.
Skinnies – initially my heart sank at the prospect of having to wear what I did 25 years ago. But wearing skinnies tucked into a pair of fabulous boots made me love this trend and I was converted.
The resurgence of red – it took 12 years for red to come back as a major fashion colour and I love it. There is a shade of red for everyone.
Patent – gloss is great. It always seems to add an extra dimension to your outfit (even when it’s black on black).
Flat Riding boots – chic, sophisticated, elegant, comfortable and practical. Who can’t love a trend like that?

Worst:

Black, black, black – I enjoyed this season’s monochromatic palette, but I missed the colour. Trying to find great items that weren’t black was very hard.
Mini skirts – very short skirts are only for those of us with beautiful legs. I think that mini-skirts are harder to wear than a pair of skinnies. Skirt lengths are most flattering somewhere at the knee.
Skinnies – I loved this trend when tucked into boots; but it also makes my “worst” list because I saw too many women wearing the style in a less flattering way.
Black nail polish – it looks evil no matter how beautiful your hands.
Platforms – I’m just envious that I can’t walk in them.

How did you feel about the trends this season? I’d love to know what made it to your closet, and what got left dangling on the store rail.

Chanel Black Satin Nail Polish

Black nail polish, platforms and mini dresses were hot in Autumn/Winter 2006, but never made it to my personal shopping list.

Autumn 2006 · Winter 2006/2007

7 comments · Add a comment

Steph

I would put leggings in the worst list but maybe because I don’t have the guts to wear them like I did in the 80s. Only teenagers and very slim people should be allowed to wear them unless absolutely covered. (I have a very similar attitude towards gymwear; “Spandex. It’s a privilege, not a right.”) I did see a friend wear them under a skirt and look quite fashionable but I’ve seen others out and about wearing them and showing cheeks!! Unbelievable and embarrassing.

I also think those huge belts over clothes are hard to make look good.

I hope there is a way to keep longer length shirts in style forever.

January 25, 2007 at 11:54 am

Morgan

(website)

I loved longer length tops! I also loved mini skirts (I’m very short and knee length skirts make me look even shorter… plus I work hard for my curved calves!). And I’m a huge fan of black, so that was good for me. But I liked the red, too, and wore it a lot as an accent color.

I diliked ruffles… I am not the “frilly, feminine” type at all. I also disliked skinny pants. I tried them… but they just made me look odd-shaped. And they reminded me too much of my junior high days. I also disliked leggings, as well as bubble skirts (which look ridiculous to me).

January 25, 2007 at 4:04 pm

cool like chloe

(website)

i loved black nail polish and platforms. but i didnt really like patent other than the fendi bags

January 25, 2007 at 4:49 pm

Angie

(website)

Ditto on the longer lengths!

Leggings were definitely a young thing. If youngsters are going to wear 20 inch mini skirts, then they might as well leggings underneath them.

I think that thick opaque leggings looked fab on the older women who wore them the correct way (with a longer skirt and heels or ballet flats) and had the spirit and personality to go with it.

January 25, 2007 at 6:53 pm

Joey

Best–red, black and grey colors. puffy, tailored jackets. patent.

Worst–bubble skirts, leggings, skinnies, and ankle boots.

Rants–1) we had low rise pants and short tops. finally tops get long and now pant waists are going to rise. brother! 2) if we are going to have 3-4″ heels and pants that are supposed to touch the ground then for goodnessake make pants long enough for tall girls. shorter girls can hem, but taller girls either wear flats or highwaters. 3) finally get converted to pointy toe and round toe is back. Ah, the crazy world of fashion. I guess the challenge to keep up is half the fun.

January 26, 2007 at 8:36 am

aubrey

(website)

i loved the layering, it definitely has been much more comfortable and great to not always have to be pulling down my shirt to cover skin!

i love your blog, i hope it’s ok that i commented!!

January 29, 2007 at 10:06 pm

lynda

I definitely liked the layering look and introduced it into my day to day wardrobe. I didn’t have the guts to wear leggings or skinnies however am envious of others who can carry it off so well. I recently bought a volume top but unsure how to wear it as I have a big bust and wearing a belt just might emphasize that. I am all for the flat boots as I have worn out my black leather push down pair. Thanks for your list of best and worst – good summary!

February 18, 2007 at 10:07 am

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