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If Sleeping Beauty had fallen into her long slumber in the 1970s and woken up today, she would think she had hit the snooze button and overslept by just a couple of hours.
Fall 2015 trends show designers are continuing their love affair with the 1970s, and everything old is new again to wunderkinds born decades after the era known for its youth rebellion and heroic battles for women’s liberation, civil rights and environmental protection.
There’s a quaint nostalgia for the innocence of a time when people believed they could make more of a difference than monied special interests.
Back then, a woman with hopes of landing a place in the boardroom turned up for work in a feminine suit — power blazer and skirt topped by a soft blouse with a floppy, fabric pussy bow at the collar. With women continuing to make gains in the workforce, the pussy bow has made a comeback.
And so have other retro styles, including chunky platform shoes, ponchos, flared denim, car-wash pleats, fringe and other hippie frocks and folkloric looks. Continuing the flare trend, though with a nod to the 1980s, is the return of culottes, no doubt fueled by the comfort-seeking yoga set.
I’m not complaining. While cleaning out my own closet I came across a beautiful pair of culottes with black, silver and fine gold stripes that deserves to be seen again.
The wearable trends also include the denim-on-denim look (the best way to pull this off is to mix weights, shades and textures), winter whites, booties, loafers and bold statement jewelry.
All the trends of the new fashion season will be on view when Macy’s Ala Moana hosts Macy’s Presents Fashion’s Front Row, a free show of designs from Hello Kitty, I.N.C. International Concepts, Jessica Simpson and Tommy Hilfiger, at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Women’s Fashion Department, Level 3.
The idea is to bring the excitement of fashion week to the retail floor. Customers will receive Fashion Week VIP treatment with photo booths for taking selfies and Macy’s MyStylists helping to find the perfect look for the fall season and the holidays. Those who spend $75 or more will receive a custom-engraved, map coordinates charm.
Lancome will provide fall makeovers and touch-ups, and OPI will offer mini manicures in the hottest fall colors. Samsung will deliver a preview of its new S2 smartwatch.
Feel the empowerment.