Impressions from Fashion Week

(CBS/The Early Show)

Every morning as I am getting dressed for work, I watch The Early Show. Well, this morning Hannah Storm spoke with InStyle Magazine's Katrina Szich about her impressions from Fashion Week. Here are some of her takes from Fashion Week.

"Designers had been sporty last spring, a little bit pretty." "This season, they've gone back to femininity, to sophistication, to elegance. So everyone's going to have to get ready to dress up again."

Gone are shapeless shifts and babydoll dresses. What made headlines at the Spring 2008 shows were the ethereal gowns, belted trousers, and sheer fabrics. Dressing up with a practical-but-perfect ladylike bag is also back.

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TRENDS:

The Belted/Cinched Waist

A backlash to the shapeless trapeze dress seems to have materialized in the form of a whittled waistline. Everything is belted, thin, wide and otherwise! This includes suits, jackets, sweaters, high-waisted trousers, and evening gowns. The clear message here: femininity is back ... show off those curves!

Tribal Prints

Designers had exotic destinations on the brain and it showed up in graphic, tribal patterns on dresses, skirts and tops. Summer 2007 was about preppy
stripes, but Summer 2008 is headed in a much wilder direction.

White and Bold Colors

Many designers focused on spring cleaning: WHITE -- even head-to-toe -- was rampant on the runways. But designers also went crazy for crayon colors in large doses -- lots of red , turquoise, purple, pink, yellow, orange not just as accents, but as the focal point.

Asymmetrical Necklines

One of the sexiest, most fun trends seen this week has been asymmetrical necklines. Seventies (Michael Kors) and 80's-inspired (LAMB) asymmetrical necklines showed up on tops, day dresses and eveningwear. This trend seems to have no limit on age or attitude. Designers from Gwen Stefani to Oscar de la Renta re-interpreted this fresh, new neckline.

Long, Flowing Floral Dresses

Designers were still inspired by dresses, but gone were the babydoll and trapeze dresses we've been wearing for the past couple seasons. In their place were floor-grazing, flowing floral dresses, for both day and night.

ACCESSORIES: THE "IT" ITEMS

The must-have bag for Spring '08 is practical, it's no longer about a precious piece. But, that doesn't mean it's not luxurious. Oscar de la Renta made his practical bag feminine with ruffle details that give it that elusive it-bag quality. Conversely, shoes are all about the "Wow" factor. Whether architecturally sculpted (Marc Jacobs), Birkenstocks with surprising flair (Phillip Lim), an exotic-skin slingback, or a delicate flat, strappy sandal in metallic gold, a double-take shoe is an essential.

sidenote: As soon as I find pics, I will post them. I am still trying to figure out how to pull off the belt, cuz I dont have a small waist...