Oakridge Style

Peter T. Hoang

As the breathtaking fashions and amazing styles of 2009 fade into memory, we welcome 2010 by embracing trends that are certainly going to be sticking around, making them all unquestionably practical additions to your closet.

Key Trends for 2010
The Amazonian Warrior
The military fashion trend has come and gone but it has evolved into a reliance on the more savage, tribal influences this season. Metal and wood-beaded detailing on tunic dresses and tribal motifs, with drapes of fabric, are all the rage this spring. Of course, let’s not forget gladiator sandals, studded belts and metal accessories, which are great details to add on for any urban warrior in the city.  

Just Like One of the Boys
From the classic Le Smoking of Yves Saint Laurent to the modern day Sartorialist look, menswear has a strong influence in the world of women’s wear and will continue to make an impact. The boyfriend jeans with blazer is the perfect current casual look, but a woman’s tailored suit is a chic look that is sure to have passers by taking notice. Teenflo at Oakridge Centre has a beautiful collection of well-structured blazers and lightweight trousers (pictured) to flatter any body type without looking too drab. Also, Teenflo’s modern day women’s suits are intricately tailored and, with the store’s wide selection of handbags and accessories, it’s a perfect one-stop outfit shop.

Splashes of Shine and Shade
If prints and patterns aren’t your thing, hopefully splashes of bold block colours are. Bold colours along with sequins are great statement trends for the upcoming season. It screams confidence but can also be demure, especially when worn with black to help neutralize the colours and shine. DKNY at Oakridge Centre has a fabulous new collection (pictured) that perfectly demonstrates the boldness of the colours and sequins but remains very modest. Besides that, DKNY has an assortment of fun dresses and tops in brilliant block colours with sequin detailing. Definitely worth checking out.

Remember that nightmare you used to have in high school? The one where you showed up in class with no pants? Apparently, designers had it, too–but they’ve turned the teenaged horror into high fashion. No, we’re not kidding. The pantsless look is in. 

Everyone from fashionistas Karolina Kurkova and Lady Gaga, to models at Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, is baring their bottom half. Kurkova sported the sparse digs at the Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, pairing bare legs with an oversize double-breasted blazer and ankle boots. Lady Gaga is pulling the look off every chance she gets-often in long-sleeved body suits. Gaultier included plenty of leg in his Fall 2009 show, Yves Saint Laurent’s Stefano Pilati highlighted a strapless leather bodysuit the same season, and Marc Jacobs showed model Daisy Lowe in leopard-print unitard. Topping it off (pun intended) is Christian Dior’s couture 2010 show. John Galliano perfected the look with pretty nude pantyhose below a purple sequined-sleeve jacket, a zebra-print jacket, and underneath a sheer white crinoline.

Get the Look
Find the perfect pantsless topper, a blazer a la Karolina, at Ishara or Aritzia, to wear with tights-the imitation no-pants look-or simply moisturized legs (pick your lotion to love from Aveda) for those who dare to bare.

LET’S HEAR IT
Would you dare?