Guest blog by Julia Dinardo of Fashion Pulse
We recently discovered that for Spring 2009. It's chic to have your zipper out (not down, mind you). From zipper detailing that resembles pleating to blatant down the front or down the back exposed zippers it's in to reveal, not conceal. You can choose faux or functional, but most importantly: forget the invisible zipper and go for a zipper with thick, metal teeth that walks the fine line between punky, edgy, and just plain fabulous. We first spotted the zipper sensation at the 3.1 Phillip Lim show(below), executed so artfully that we had to do a double-take before we realized that the draped, ruffled effect was really lined with zippers! Next up the Proenza Schouler (above) boys sent down the runway a concentration of exposed, center-zippered garments from jumpsuits to dresses and skirts. Our absolute favorite was this look that combined a cropped sleeveless leather-like vest with a minty, parachute material skirt; adorned, of course, with an in-your-face zipper down the front! Accessories also partook in the trend, like these amazing bootie/peep-toe/pump hybrids at BCBGMAXAZRIA (below) and the oversized carry all at Alexander Wang.
No runway trend is complete, however, without us finding some items that will most certainly help you get the look for extremely less. (Jump for our Luxe to Less options!)
For starters, this Richard Chai For Target Windowpane Miniskirt in Ebony ($18.89) is an extremely similar version of our favorite Proenza zippered look this season.
Next up, we found a handful of dresses that work in the zipper trend in our budget range, like the Asymmetrical Zipper Dress from Bebe ($129), the MICHAEL Michael Kors Exposed-Zipper Sleeveless Shift Dress-- $97.12 at Macy's, and for the splurge, the Whitney Eve Grey Encino Ruffle Collar Dress ($345, Kitson).
We didn't forget about the accessories: we love these alice + olivia for Payless Jane Back Zip Boots ($48, Payless), the Chinese Laundry Women's Betsey Zipper Platforms ($89.95, Endless.com) and the Pleaser Women's Domina-119 Sandals-- $43.31, also Endless.com.
And last, we have a few bags that will help you achieve the zipper-detail look in a functional manner with the Patent Zipper Satchel-- $29.80 at Forever 21 and the Perforated Patent Satchel ($31.99, ShopIntuition.com). So go ahead and get carried away in the latest zipper trend with our affordable choices!
-- Julia DiNardo is the founder/editor of Fashion Pulse -- visit the site for daily updates on trends, runway collections, industry buzz, beauty, and more!
Images: Elle.com
Thanks.
RichardChai.