Babylon Mall has some exciting changes in store for 2011! But, before we take a look ahead at what the New Year will bring, I thought we would take a look back at the styles and trends that made up 2010.Image credit: this great vintage outfit -- showing that polka dots, once again, add whimsy to a basic design -- comes from Sydney's Vintage Clothing Boutique on Babylon Mall.
One of the most prominent fashion trends of 2010 had more to do with the global market than fashion. Finding fantastic fashions and designer labels at reasonable prices is a trend that for many of us has been a lifelong goal. Thankfully, for the dealers of vintage finery, it is also one that will most likely continue well into 2011. Savvy fashionistas have known for ages that one of the best ways to save on their hard-earned clothing budget while staying on the cusp of high fashion is by integrating vintage clothing into their wardrobe.
The financial environment also managed to trickle down into the styles of 2010. Designers went back to basics this year, with minimalist designs, simpler cuts, and basic fabrics and patterns. That doesn’t mean the year’s style were dull. Long skirts, floaty layers, delicate lace, and lush fabrics made for clean, yet feminine styles. Simple stripes, plaids, and polka dots took the place of fancy florals. Fur, leather, sequins, and metallics were thrown into the mix, but in a more basic way than in seasons past.
Image credit: Shimmering fabrics and simple details like bows and ruffles added glam to the 80’s, then again in 2010. Image from Only Couture on Babylon Mall.
Once again, accessories shined in 2010 - easily transforming a humdrum outfit into a head-turner. Whimsical handbags, out-of-this-world pumps, fur-trimmed boots, and sparkling jewelry gave this year’s more toned-down fashions their glam-power.
Many of the biggest fashion trends of 2010 were obviously inspired by the 1980’s, and I expect many of these will also continue into the new decade. While select styles of many different eras tend to show up here and there on the runway (different aspects of the 60‘s have been appearing every season for the past 40 years), fashion tends to run in 20-30 year cycles. In the late 70’s, the 50’s were everywhere (take for example, the popularity of the movie “Grease’). In the late 80’s, the 60’s were the epitome of cool. Those of us who survived the 70’s would have never dreamed they would see the likes of bell-bottoms again - nevertheless, they reemerged in the late 90’s. So, of course, skinny jeans are hot now that the 80’s are, once again, in full swing.
Though skin-tight, zippered ankle jeans do not exactly flatter us all, I was happily reminded that long, floaty tunics cover those pear-shaped behinds quite beautifully. Overall, I am happy to see the reappearance of the glorious 80’s. (Dear Lord, please let big hair follow closely behind. I was SO good with big hair - I could even turn wet noodles into amazing spikes with a teasing comb and enough Rave Hairspray!)
All in all, it was another great year for fashion. It is nice to get back to basics once in a while - it helps us remember what is most important, and also helps make trends that are truly fresh and new more noticeable. So, send this year out with a bang and welcome in the New Year with pride. Oh, and be sure to hold onto your favorite 2010 items! In 30 years, these too will be vintage, and the envy of the next generation.
