Spring's 3 New Shapes & How to Wear Them

For spring, designers ushered in nouveau silhouettes. From a mid-length hemline to louche, slouchy trousers, here's how to make them fab, not frumpy. By Anamaria Wilson

THE NEW LENGTH
From left: Narisco Rodriguez, Michael Kors, Chloé

It was at the Narciso Rodriguez show that a new silhouette began to emerge. Model of the moment Arizona Muse wafted down the runway in a perfect incarnation of the designer's soft-edged minimalism: a white dress. The hem, however, hovered a couple of inches above the ankle - a no-man's-land between midi and maxi. It looked intriguingly chic on the genetically gifted blonde, but for the rest of us, it left a question mark. But how to pull off these chic standouts? First, heels are a must, and ankle-strap versions were a designer favorite. And Sarah Easley, co-owner of haute New York shop Kirna Zabête, advises, "Avoid heavy layers on top, show some shoulder and arm, and wear heels."

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THE NEW PANTS
From left: Celine, ThakoonFrom left: Celine, Thakoon

Over the past several seasons, we've seen every iteration of pants, from cigarettes to dhotis. Spring was no exception, with a plethora of slouchy, fluid trousers, the linchpin to a new moment of garcon dressing. "I'm kind of over the skinny-legging-jean thing, and I think this silhouette is fresh," says Thakoon Panichgul. Still, artful styling is a must. In suits, they make for a chic, easy ensemble but necessitate a high heel and minimal accessories. Tailored tops work best to offset the baggy nature of the bottoms. The best part? When worn right, these new pants impart the leggiest of looks.

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THE NEW DRESS
From left: Michael Kors, Stella McCartney

Bye-bye, body con. The mini-dress was reinvented yet again for spring, but this time, instead of screaming sex, it demurely suggests a sweet femininity. Shrink-wrap tight is out; structured with a hint of controlled volume is in.Designers hit refresh on the linear silhouette with vivid colors, fun prints, and flattering sleeves. "A really bold citrus print gives it a slight sense of humor but still keeps things wearable," says Stella McCartney. The new shape demands forethought: "Keep the accessories feeling like a summer day; bare legs with a touch of a tan; strappy shoes, preferably with a wedge, although flats can feel breezy too," says Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo. "The key is a sense of ease to counterbalance the crisp geometry of the silhouette."


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