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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

FASHION

How to Wear the Enduring Color Block Trend

Color blocking trend made a bold impression on the Spring 2011 fashion runways and it will power through into Fall, albeit with a few subtle shifts: The electric brights and easy separates that feel so right for summer will yield to more dramatic individual pieces, incorporating pattern, neutrals and heavy doses of black for balance. If you've invested in bold, solid-colored separates to pair together to create the unique fashion trend, those pieces will serve you well through the seasons, as notice-me shades will continue to be important as accent pieces.

Prabal Gurung, Gucci

Prabal Gurung Spring 2011 (photo by Biasion Studio/Contributor), Gucci Spring 2011 (photo by Venturelli/Contributor)

 

For Spring fashion designer Prabal Gurung presented clean-lined, nearly-neon color block dresses. At Gucci, top fashion designer Frida Giannini created blocks of color by combining bold, saturated, secondary color tone separates. For Fall, At Chloe's, designer Hannah MacGibbon paired grays and blacks with greens and reds in a patchwork poncho, complete with oversize topstitching. Dries van Noten approached his color blocked dresses as a painter might address a canvas, utilizing a range of textures and patterns played against solid fields of color. And Jill Stuart borrowed spring's vibrant persimmon to accent an otherwise jewel-toned fall palette. Her clean lines and scarf tie blouse had a '70s mod feel that perfectly encapsulates the graphic strength of the color block fashion trend.

Jill Stuart, Chloe

Jill Stuart Fall 2011 (photo by Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images for IMG), Chloe Fall 2011 (photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images)


Although color blocking might seem like a bold wardrobe choice, the diagonal lines and panels designed either to slim or to accentuate curves can make color block fashions a surprisingly flattering option. When pulling together a look, consider you’re shape and work within those boundaries, perhaps using darker colors on your waist and hips.  Be daring with color but avoid pairing formless silhouettes together—keep either top or bottom streamlined. And remember, even the smallest accessory can make a serious impact.

On eBay Fashion, online auction listings for items with the term "color block" are up 23 percent the past month compared to approximately one-year prior as sellers seek to capitalize on this growing fashion trend.

Here, a few of our favorite pieces.

 

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