Fashion Brief - Top Trends for Spring 2006
By: Georgia Hadley
Traditionally, the bohemian look abounds in spring fashion with flirty, romantic clothing and chunky, bold jewelry made of earthy materials such as turquoise, wood, leather and textured metals. 2006 is shaping up to be much the same, while fall’s hottest trends are carried over and incorporated into the popular looks for spring.
Color is expected to become more neutral and understated than in recent seasons. Classic black and white will combine with blues, corals, yellows and greens in tones that aren’t quite pastel, but not bright either. Instead, there will be a natural, earthy quality to spring’s palette that complements the bohemian look beautifully.
Reflecting our country’s growing sense of nostalgia for less-complicated times, fashion this spring will represent a “return to innocence”. Influence from the classic looks of the fifties and eighties will be apparent, yet designers haven’t entirely abandoned the modern. Look for classic designs with a contemporary twist.
In jewelry, layered looks are still to be found, but have become shorter and chunkier. Furthermore, choker-length necklaces have made a return in the form of chain or leather with a simple pendant or clusters of gemstones concentrated at the front of the neck. Gold filigree and wood components promise to be very popular. They may appear mixed with other materials or even with each other for a unique look.
Earrings are making a transition from the extremely popular long and lean styles to swingers, hoops, and yes, chandeliers! Watch out for new and creative looks for this classic design in the jewelry collections of 2006.
Georgia Hadley is a jewelry designer, writer, and small business owner who lives in rural Vermont. In addition to her own business, Adorneya Jewelry (http://www.adorneya.com), she is also a founding editor of Craft Revolution (http://www.craftrevolution.com), a website dedicated to promoting mainstream awareness of independent designers and their products as desirable alternatives to the offerings of big-box stores.