Nic Narrates

In all this Super Bowl stupor and sub-zero weather, I completely forgot it’s that time of year again–NY Fashion Week. Gleaning what I can from New York Magazine’s online collection of stills, I can tell you this much already: the drabness of February has infected New York’s creative minds for fall 2007. We’re four days in and it’s already shaping up to be both dull and underwhelming (not that I wouldn’t kill to be in the tents at even the most uninspired showing).

From what I can gather, it looks like we’re in for another season of taffeta, velvet, and polka-dots. That doesn’t sound blah, but somehow, it is. And the color palette has universally embraced soft creams and taupes, heather greys and tweeds, metallics and brocades, and once again solid black. Hats, from the lady-like beret to the absurd snowboarder’s wool cap, are ubiquitous and are apparently not to be paired in any predictable manner.

In perusing those who have already shown over the weekend, I immediately went to Tracy Reese. Her collections can be counted on to have an almost cozy charm and are a personal favorite (although my one attempt at her clothing in a fitting room found me to apparently not be woman enough, I still adore it). Her fabric choices are flawless, enabling her pieces to be both tastefully distinctive and of a vintage-like quality.

For fall, Reese has interwoven flirty ruffles with feminine sophistication. And to compliment her skirts and shifts, she has rightfully chosen to champion the shortlived trend of opaque patterned tights from last fall. Hooray!

I found one look in particular to be ‘precious’…….

True, it is a bubble skirt (a trend I have not personally embraced, especially after seeing Angela from Runway’s personal affection for them), however, it is an understated bubble if that. The rich chocolate brown of the tafetta combined with the sheer tulle bow at the neckline and the covered leg make this a look I’d personally love to wear skipping down the street rather than at a fussy cocktail thing. The point is, it is a dress for standing and doing. If you sit, it loses its whole purpose.

Other standouts of the collection include this sweet princess coat, which doesn’t strike me as something for fall but I seem to adore nonetheless. If you slapped the novacheck plaid on it, I believe it would be very much like something Burberry put out this last season.

And this luxe Victorian navy and black brocade look, cinched at the waist. Love the pockets. I’d wear it with black tights as the model is showing or with sleek black trousers and a skinny black heel.

All in all, Tracy Reese was once again accessible, refined elegance.

Filed under: fashion week, i heart fashion by Nic