As simple as it may be, Vera Wang’s coupling of thick, utilitarian outerwear with super-thin skirts and dresses, each one a masterful buildup of French accordion pleats, worked beautifully and powerfully. While the show’s said theme–American women whose style that intrigued the English aristocracy in the 1930s–was difficult to grasp, Wang’s toughness came through loud and clear. The never-ending feast of pleats could have been varied up a notch, particularly when shown in sensible shades of grays, loden and mustard, but there was enough to satisfy the girl who’s got a lot more on her hand than shopping. This fall it truly is all about the heavy parka worn over lightweight, filmy dresses. The dresses (and yes, it was mostly dresses) that the designer showed Tuesday were beautifully fluid. They were mostly sheer and mostly pleated, which gave them that 1930s romance Wang was going for. But the racer-backs (if there were backs at all–backless: another trend) kept the dresses current, almost sporty. Okay, sporty may be a stretch, but it was a fun, unexpected touch. And the parkas worn over all these dresses were great for being all of the opposite: heavy, functional, highly layered, and lined in fur. Vera Wang served them both up with a side of sophistication.
Images by style.com
