By Alicia Roache, Staff Reporter
Yuletide fashion from Go West. A striped red and black off-the-shoulder blouse and red pants. - Alicia Roache Photo
THIS YEAR, Christmas fashion is fun, stylish and reminiscent of in clothes back in the day. From candy stripes to asymmetrical designs, Yuletide fashion is set to make you have a merry Christmas.
For men, dirty denim and acid-washed jeans in bootcut or straight legs are in this Christmas. So says Carby Jnr. of Carby's Discount Centre in Twin Gates Plaza in St. Andrew. Oversized shirts have made way for the straight cut shirt. These shirts normally stop just below the waistline or on the hips, as opposed to on the thighs.
Jehromie Martin of Angel's Fashions, located on Constant Spring Road, St. Andrew confirms this sentiment. "Last year men were wearing mostly big shirts; this year, they are into mostly small shirts," he said. Also an interesting feature of Christmas fashion for both sexes is the reappearance of stripes. From the now popular black and white to pastels, stripes are back from the '70s and '80s. You will see candy stripes and pinstripes used together on the same shirt, as well as separately. Vertically and horizontally-striped shirts and blouses are also hot.
CLINGING FABRICS
Men's shirts will be made out of linen or cotton; women's blouses will be made of body-clinging fabrics such as lycra or spandex. These can cost anywhere between $700 at Carby's and $2,500 at Go West.
Along with stripes, colours will be a big hit this Christmas. The types of colours that are available, however, will depend on where you shop. Mr. Carby says that red is no longer the Yuletide colour. In fact, he says that white may be the new red. "In terms of dressing up we are getting more white than red," he said. However, Anthony Stewart, of Jus' For You Boutique in Ocho Rios, St. Ann believes that colours will dominate this season. "There is a mixture of colours wearing for this season," he says. "Red and white, yellow and white, you name it," he said.
Norma Spence of Ammars concurred with Stewart, saying that this Christmas will see a lot of bright colours. Red and white will not necessarily dominate, though. "Bright colours are popular now, especially stripes," she said. "We have striped pants with striped blouses, black jeans with white stripes and colourful jerseys."
In relation to colours Sarah Cohen, manager of Haute Couture De Dawn, which is located on Constant Spring Road said that red is always in for Christmas, but there are additions to the colour palate in terms of fashion. Besides black and white, she says that pink and burgundy are colour additions to the Christmas red fest.
Shirts, skirts and dresses in bright florals are a must-have, especially the peasant blouses that look like dresses. Don't overdo them, however, because down the road they'll end up collecting dust in your closet. One dress and/or shirt will be good for the season. Don't overdo your outfit either. If you have a floral skirt, pair it with a nice solid colour on top that is in the pattern of the skirt. The same rules apply to men with striped shirts or pants. Ensure that a solid colour provides some balance to your outfit.
Asymmetrical cuts are also big items for the wardrobe, but hemlines are unruly this Christmas. Skirts and dresses have either a fluctuating or semi-vertical hemline, with one side higher or longer than the other. Cotton and sheer fabric like voile seem to be ideal for this kind of outfit. If the hither-thither hemline is too much for you then consider pleated skirts, back from the '70s with a stylish flair. These skirts often look like kilts, but in muted tones like black and tan. Pair this with the mesh blouse or the lace top (also very popular) and you have got a killer combination for Christmas. Of course, these look best with a strappy slingback, or stiletto heels with pointed toes.
It seems that as fashion dictates, people are also getting fit for Christmas. According to Carby, gym clothes are flying off the racks at this time of the year. Martin also reports that the type of clothing being sold this season dictates that people stay toned and slim. "Nowadays people are buying the small clothes like halter backs, spaghetti straps... sexy clothes," he said. From short skirts to stretch pants and big belts with big buckles or holsters, anything slimming or for the slim is in.
TRADE-OFF
Like almost everything else, the cost of fashionable clothing has increased, but not by much according to the storeowners. According to Cohen, the price of clothes has gone up by a mere 10 20 per cent. Martin says that a shirt that cost $4,000 last year will cost $5,000 this year. The trade-off, they say, comes in more fabrics and accessories added to the item. For example, short skirts are often trimmed with chains and blouses with detachable gold or silver accessories that add value to the outfit. Even shoes have diamond studs or ribbons added to them. This Christmas a dress could cost $1,650 to $2,500, Cohen said. Slingbacks cost between $1,250 and $1,750. Ball gowns range from $3,600 to $9,500, depending on the material used and the accessories attached. Of course, things might be less or more expensive depending on where you shop.
However, always remember that trends come and go like the seasons, so do not spend too much on an item that is season specific.
