Trend Report: Strong Shoulders
If you picked up a fashion magazine sometime in the last few months, surely you've heard the news. As dictated by the runways, the fashion story of the S/S 09 season is strong shoulders (and we're not talking about deltoids). That's right, dear readers, collarbones be damned, there's a new body part to fetishize! While the most directional runways were bumper to bumper with jackets and dresses featuring this exaggerated silhouette, we've been waiting for our favorite tastemakers to take to this trend. At long last, we found a few wholly fantastic examples wearing the commanding look and hope you find them as inspirational as we do.
But before we break down how the cutting-edge crowd wears a strong shoulder, first, we'd like to put the trend into context. Now, admittedly, this shape is not new to fashion and has been prominent before (hello, 1980's power suit!), but the most current iteration of the trend conveys a much more sophisticated and dramatic effect. Right now there are essentially two different types of the bold-shouldered look. At Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney, jackets had a boxier, boyish cut, whereas Balmain, Balenciaga, and Givenchy offered up sharper, more compact shapes with a bit of flounce. Regardless of the proportion, the overall effect was one of strength and femininity.
Now that we've finished with the trend tutorial, it's time for the fun part: spotlighting the fashion-forward early adopters! It is instructive to see how they wear a new shape—all opted for black—as an indicator of how to best incorporate the trend into your own wardrobe. Vanessa Traina, a WWW favorite and stylesetter extraordinaire, looked impeccable in this season's most lust-worthy jacket: Balmain's Wrinkle Optic Leather Jacket ($6339). The skinny sleeves and perfectly pronounced shoulders looked super smart, especially when paired with black jeans and a drapey, neutral shirt. Mary-Kate Olsen was spotted wearing a similarly shaped version, proving that the bold-shoulder can work on a more petite frame. We also love a subtler, forties-inspired look à la Kate Lanphear, ELLE's Style Director. The exquisite editor wore a square-shouldered belted dress to the Brian Reyes A/W 09 and looked incredibly sophisticated and chic. Of course, we couldn't have a cutting-edge trend without Kate Moss. The fashion muse du monde went for a classic look with a twist, choosing a tuxedo jacket with sharp, peaked shoulders for the AnOther Magazine party during London Fashion Week.
Though there are a zillion different ways you can wear this look, we've gathered a few of our favorites for you. If you like menswear-inspired jackets, check out Lauren Moffatt's Double Breasted Blazer
($326). The boyfriend-blazer cut and padded shoulder are slightly eighties but still completely modern. Switching directions, we also found a more ladylike option with Aryn K's Buckle Crop Jacket
($82). The tweed, cropped jacket has a rounded shoulder (the shape is very similar to some of our favorite looks from Dolce & Gabbana's Spring 09 collection) and can easily be styled in a number of ways. Wear it with destroyed jeans for a downtown look or pair it with a pencil skirt and polished pumps for a prim-yet-sexy uptown outfit.
Another way to try the exaggerated shoulder is via a dress. We suggest checking your favorite vintage store for unique and affordable frocks: they're the best resource, for sure. Aside from that, there are a few bold options in stores now. Topshop's Plain Tea Dress ($160) is a perfectly understated dress with a Lanphear-style silhouette. Additionally, we also adore the crisp look of Acne's Dita Pre Dress ($425). The coat-like shape has padded shoulders (but of course) and can be worn as is, for a more androgynous look, or belted at the waist if you prefer a feminine shape.—Kate Mulling
Photos of Vanessa Traina, Mary-Kate Olsen, Kate Moss, from Getty; Runway, from First View
But before we break down how the cutting-edge crowd wears a strong shoulder, first, we'd like to put the trend into context. Now, admittedly, this shape is not new to fashion and has been prominent before (hello, 1980's power suit!), but the most current iteration of the trend conveys a much more sophisticated and dramatic effect. Right now there are essentially two different types of the bold-shouldered look. At Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney, jackets had a boxier, boyish cut, whereas Balmain, Balenciaga, and Givenchy offered up sharper, more compact shapes with a bit of flounce. Regardless of the proportion, the overall effect was one of strength and femininity.
Now that we've finished with the trend tutorial, it's time for the fun part: spotlighting the fashion-forward early adopters! It is instructive to see how they wear a new shape—all opted for black—as an indicator of how to best incorporate the trend into your own wardrobe. Vanessa Traina, a WWW favorite and stylesetter extraordinaire, looked impeccable in this season's most lust-worthy jacket: Balmain's Wrinkle Optic Leather Jacket ($6339). The skinny sleeves and perfectly pronounced shoulders looked super smart, especially when paired with black jeans and a drapey, neutral shirt. Mary-Kate Olsen was spotted wearing a similarly shaped version, proving that the bold-shoulder can work on a more petite frame. We also love a subtler, forties-inspired look à la Kate Lanphear, ELLE's Style Director. The exquisite editor wore a square-shouldered belted dress to the Brian Reyes A/W 09 and looked incredibly sophisticated and chic. Of course, we couldn't have a cutting-edge trend without Kate Moss. The fashion muse du monde went for a classic look with a twist, choosing a tuxedo jacket with sharp, peaked shoulders for the AnOther Magazine party during London Fashion Week.
Though there are a zillion different ways you can wear this look, we've gathered a few of our favorites for you. If you like menswear-inspired jackets, check out Lauren Moffatt's Double Breasted Blazer
Another way to try the exaggerated shoulder is via a dress. We suggest checking your favorite vintage store for unique and affordable frocks: they're the best resource, for sure. Aside from that, there are a few bold options in stores now. Topshop's Plain Tea Dress ($160) is a perfectly understated dress with a Lanphear-style silhouette. Additionally, we also adore the crisp look of Acne's Dita Pre Dress ($425). The coat-like shape has padded shoulders (but of course) and can be worn as is, for a more androgynous look, or belted at the waist if you prefer a feminine shape.—Kate Mulling
Photos of Vanessa Traina, Mary-Kate Olsen, Kate Moss, from Getty; Runway, from First View
I think it makes them look more skeletal (well maybe not Kate Lanphear), Vanessa Traina in particular. It's obviously not natural. It doesn't look smart, it looks alien.
Posted by: Michelle | 2009-03-30 18:10:16
I think fashion should be who & not who your trying to be you don't have go with many of the styles just what appeals to you which make you chic take alittle from the runway! And the rest should show who you are in this world some of the best look come from the streets nyc you'll be surprise who looking at what you have to offer in this fashion game!
Posted by: denise | 2009-03-27 08:51:07
Though everyone is talking about strong shoulder and claiming it's the biggest trend this season, I couldn't find my favor to it. It's weird and like a men's shoulder. where is the feminine taste? Wouldn't this supersized shoulder scared boys away?? www.journeytofashion.com
Posted by: Leann | 2009-03-26 09:16:58
i check out who,what,wear constantly throughout the week and when i saw this post.. well it was quiet scary! these gaunt,skeletal and lifeless bodies are just not attractive at all... im sure the opposite sex would agree!! yes, the clothes are current, hot and daring but it seems to me the underlying trend in this post and previous others is to look like you have just gotten out of bed, haven't brushed your hair, haven't bothered to bring a little life to your complexion but think adding a $$$ designer item or 3 will still make you worthy to see the light of day! - in the end here we have a bunch of socialites/models who looked like they came outta the gutter all sharing the same wardrobe! mehh!
Posted by: Blackswan | 2009-03-23 16:55:49
Wow. All of these ladies look frail, gaunt, and lifeless. It's disturbing.
Posted by: Kwil | 2009-03-23 15:16:23
do you editors hate kate moss? she has other pics in this outfit and face looks good and yet you choose this one?
Posted by: frankie | 2009-03-23 08:07:05
love vanessa traina's jacket. so perfect www.littlemissdressup.com
Posted by: little miss dre | 2009-03-22 22:22:57
Shoulder pads? Looks good on celebrities and models, but not on normal people. Not again...
Posted by: Avé | 2009-03-21 15:30:44
Kate's outfit is absolutely gorgeus!
Posted by: Isabela T. | 2009-03-21 15:07:56
So many Kates. But out of all them Kate Moss looks EFFING CREEPY. This picture of her just makes me wish she would accept her age....
Posted by: Emily | 2009-03-21 09:17:43
great post! i got some tips on how to style this blazer that i thrifted! xx http://closetidealist.com
Posted by: sam | 2009-03-21 07:47:39
does anyone know the name of the font they use to type "Trend Report" and if not does anyone know a similar font?
Posted by: asjlkda | 2009-03-21 04:25:36
I love this. Everyone looks a bit like a skeleton though, what happened to being healthy and having curves instead of a stick? Anyway, I like the looks, be fun to try out.
Posted by: Michelle Curry | 2009-03-20 20:19:11
i love all of the looks especially Vanessa and MK's.
Posted by: Victoria C | 2009-03-20 18:26:23
Kate Moss's face looks terrifying
Posted by: Rachel Reid | 2009-03-20 17:05:20
I love this look. But honestly, who has the $7K + for a Balmain jacket? I wouldn't quite call this a 'trend' yet, because it has not quite trickled down to the masses. Sure, shoulders are in, but only in a very, very small circle of Balmain shoppers.
Posted by: Jamie | 2009-03-20 15:35:03
That leather jacket is to die for. exquisillusiore.blogspot.com
Posted by: hadley | 2009-03-20 15:02:48
boring*
Posted by: r | 2009-03-20 13:35:36
Holy old enough trend! Broing. Who didn't know this already??
Posted by: r | 2009-03-20 13:35:03
could they have picked a worse picture of Kate Moss? this trend is not cool! this is something that stays in the 80s & runway ONLY! kate looks very emaciated!
Posted by: Britni | 2009-03-20 12:56:38
This post scares me a little. Is it me or does everyone look skeletal?
Posted by: Amber | 2009-03-20 12:15:51
I'm a little disappointed with this entry. Anyone who follows fashion (a.k.a. the readers of this site) know that strong shoulders are in right now. They were all over the runway this season. I think you guys could have come up with a better trend report. Great photos though! Love Vanessa Traina's.
Posted by: Sonia | 2009-03-20 11:25:18
I really love your site and every post, "My everyday guide and inspiration for fashion tips". But I live in a warmer weather so I would love to see some of the upcoming season trends, that maybe wearable in very warm weather, Spring time !!!
Posted by: Elvs | 2009-03-20 11:07:27
this is one trent from the 80s that i did not think would ever come back. im ion complete aw its back, i do know that its a lot less dramatic than back then but none the less im not a big fan. i do believe high fashion idols can pull this off but a day to day person would have a hard time explaining this one.
Posted by: Ami | 2009-03-20 10:11:24
Kate Lanphear is looking FIERCE as per her usual, even if you don't ID her here...
Posted by: Nicole | 2009-03-20 10:02:03
Interesting. These shoulders are so much softer than they were in the 80's but, still strong.
Posted by: Llew | 2009-03-20 08:33:00
Adore this trend! Catch Carine's CNN revealed and she pulls off the shoulder-jacket without putting the sleeves on and it's amazing! http://bandofhammers.blogspot.com/
Posted by: H | 2009-03-20 08:03:30
omg, so jealous - i adore that balmain jacket!
Posted by: N | 2009-03-20 06:42:19
whoa, kate moss's face looks distorted. im scared!
Posted by: f | 2009-03-20 05:33:54
love this look! Vanessa Traina always looks fashion forward without looking like she is trying too hard.
Posted by: julia | 2009-03-20 03:12:12