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Italian Fashion - Fall 2008 - Something moved in the Italy fashion machine

Judith Ayotte Greenwood

Something moved. Finally, after the desert of the past few seasons, Italian girls and women went shopping and something in the vast made-in-Italy fashion machine moved.

I had reports from afar and trips to here and there to draw upon, and the result was unmistakable. There are new trends! At least one runway show reflected a street fashion trend we could see.

This season, we have photos of tourists, Italians and shop windows. It’s a feast this time.

Let’s look at the trend that ended up on Prada’s catwalk. I have been calling it the double skirt. When it hit Prada, it was called an apron. I tried to get closer to the girl wearing it in this mall, but she was a New Yorker in disguise and I couldn’t focus and run at the same time. The close up shows a bit more, but is a bit fuzzy from being blown up too much.

Double Skirt

It’s a fun look wearable by almost anybody. This girl is wearing two different skirts over a pair of leggings. The two fabrics are related but different, and in this case both skirts are full, but I have seen full over slim and slim over full, too, and they all work as long as the inside skirt is longer.

Here are some ways the windows show of keeping warm and elegant. We aren’t yet wearing these warm-fuzzies, but we will be shortly.

Very feminine way with pants

Elegant and soft collar of the year

The collar of the year

Jackie O

Two great coats, one all buttoned up and the classic bomber jacket declassified.

Here are some real people on the streets of Bologna wearing what one wears this time of year, if you are lucky.

Medieval Diaper Pattern

I said to Brad, “Look! That girl is wearing a medieval diaper pattern!” and Brad responded, “Do you think she did it on purpose?” The last time you saw that pattern was when it was revived at the turn of the 20th century. The first time it came around there were heralds and armor. Some things really do hold up.

Here are some passing tourists, or what we call turisti qualsiasi.

U.S. Tourists

And an Italian daughter taking mom for a nice walk.

Daughter taking mom for a walk

You can tell it isn’t yet very cold here, at least during the day. So, what kinds of layers will we put on as it gets crisper and leans toward bitter? Try these from Luisa Spagnoli.

Neutral Knits

Autumn Casual

You’d hardly know where to start. Make sure, though, to include some of that brilliant plaid, because I hear of it on the streets virtually all over Italy. They are selling a lot of it in the markets, too.

Orange Soft Collar

But, this would be a great place to finish. And there’s that great soft collar again. Or, you might dare to try this color combination, which didn’t suit Palma at all, but after a bit of thought I wore to town last night.

Burgundy and Orange

And if your feet are cold, zip these on.

Burgundy and Orange

If you are the elegant type who has evening appointments when traveling, it would be hard to miss with this tube dress with the prominent belt of 2008.

Bologna Evening Wear

And while we are out for the night, here are some shots of people at an evening party in my neighborhood.

Pashmina British

This British lady trusts in pashmina.

Rear View

And the dress with long matching cardigan never fails.

Rear View

And this pair from New Zealand has mastered keeping warm very readily and stylishly.

I did a lot of shopping, and once again I thought that Luisa Spagnoli had hit every note right. I could dress almost everyone I know just from her autumn 2008 collection. You’d think I was paid to say that, but not even a scarf!

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Italian Fashion - Fall 2008 - Something moved in the Italy fashion machine

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