Short, Coquettish Chic: The Autumn Dress

Gladys Rodríguez-Dod
Exclusively By Rex Fabrics
Fine Fabrics from Around the World

This season the dress “steals the show”… with daytime fashions as well as cocktail dresses… and all… all of them! radiate sensuality, sophistication, and glamour in grand quantities. These are dresses that are remarkable for enhancing the figure… playful… dresses that flatter the curves... and are even provocative! always with one objective: to make an impact!

We have to let our imagination run loose and let it be the one to guide us and set the trend… because the possibilities of the dress are endless. The key is in the color and texture, being casual but very elegant for the day, and bold and sexy for nighttime, exploring new fabrics, new trims and styles. The dress is at the forefront of fashion, and it will allow us to feel like a model at all times.

The materials used for daytime are the most beautiful wools, silks and knits; while at night the order is fantasy textures and rich lace fabrics, but with controlled luxury, so as to carry the message: understated elegance.

Undoubtedly, the ultimate of a feminine dress is one that enhances the silhouette, highlights curves gracefully, hides defects, and carries with it a touch of glamour and sophistication. Nowadays, though, it has a relaxed attitude... what some call nonchalance, wanting always to dazzle and achieving, at the same time, a modern and free style.

The dress emerged in the 1800s, but one cannot compare it to what we know today as a “dress”. For a while its lines were inspired by the Ancient Greek era, with long pale-toned tunics. In time, it started acquiring ornaments until the 20th century. At the end of World War I, when women first joined the work force, the dress changed drastically, discarding corsets and becoming more comfortable. At the beginning, of course, it consisted of a piece of cloth that draped the body without enhancing the silhouette. What made it important was its comfort … and... it showed legs! Suddenly, the shoe also became a very important accessory in the fashion industry.

The miniskirt emerged in the 1960s, and the dress ―the style was short, loose, and came in psychedelic colors― was the “uniform” of the modern woman. A few years later the “wrap-around dress” was created, a printed cotton dress launched by Diane von Furstenberg ―she was married then to Prince Egon― that we wrapped around us and tied to one side. An instant hit because it was easy to wear, it worked for a young girl as well as a mature one.

Today the dress has reached maturity. Now it can be extravagant and full of fantasy, or just simple and restrained; but dominating shapes and color. And yes, for this season the dress presents us an unexpected spray of colors, never forgetting that black is of great elegance.

Who has not been enthralled by those magical MISSONI dresses? And this fall the styles are very simple, smooth knits in pastel tones that turn out being practical and chic. Another piece of good news is that DIANE VON FURSTENBERG revives her “wrap-around dress”, updated with beautiful prints, full of vitality, in tones like wine or blood red which, combined with black and white, are fun and elegant at the same time.

CAROLINA HERRERA uses wonderful wools in strong shades such as turquoise, with lines that hug the curves, praising them, and same-tone suede details. With three-quarter length sleeves and accessories in the same color, they promise to be a “must” for the winter season. ELIE SAAB follows the same line, just adding tiny ribbons to his fashions and long sleeves. For greater impact he chose also to add attractive bags and sandals or shoes in the same color.

We all adore EMILIO PUCCI’s prints, and for this winter they come in black and white. Although he has combined them, they do not seem like sad colors, because the cut of his styles are very sensual, in spite of the high necks, and will be a required option for the season.

It seems like the designers have decided to be more daring for the cocktail hour, and CUSTO BARCELONA wins the prize showing his strapless mini dresses with appliqués of serpent skin and complemented with long black jackets. They are sexy and youthful, as well as flattering, because they hide any extra pound we might have.

BADGLEY MISCHKA launched “little black dresses” full of charm, dresses that delineate the silhouette and are detailed in lace or embroidery, thus creating greater impact. CHANEL, however, opted for a more subdued style and used knits, adding flower details.

Lace ruled in these very modern designs and ZUHAIR MURAD’s styles are long-waisted, and in shades such as dusty rose; while at DOLCE & GABBANA’s they preferred blood red, but in very young and sensual designs, translating into the maximum of elegance for this winter.

We offer all these fabrics in our store. You just have to visit us and choose the materials for your new designs. Who is ready? I hope to see you here!