Winter 2013 Fashion Report

Freezing temperatures and icy winds may seem synonymous with bulky and unshapely layers. But this winter a more womanly silhouette emerges — cinched and classy. Get ready to show off your inner-1940s diva.

Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta showcased some Ava Gardner-worthy styles, pairing thin metallic belts with feminine overcoats and professional daywear dresses. The finishing touches: side-swept hair and ruby lips.

Prada took the trend a little less conventionally. Thick silver belts reined in textured sheaths and A-symmetrical layered dresses. Blue and red stripes and baby pink ginghams offered a bold new palate, but were not too overbearing within the classic belted silhouette.

Hollywood is proudly parading the classic look. The red carpet this season is heavily sprinkled with celebs cinched, sashed, and snapped into tight, belted evening gowns. Amy Adams recently stunned at the Critics’ Choice Awards in a tight fuchsia number set off with a simple black ribbon belt by Roland Mouret. Cate Blanchett exuded effortless elegance in a teal number with thick gem belt by Lanvin.

This trend is easy to translate into any street wear. Throw a thin belt around a tartan plaid shawl to create a trendy hourglass figure while keeping warm. Add a thick belt with a metallic finish to any simple shift to create any easy office-to- evening look.

Or bring this trend to dance floor and show off your bangin’ belted bod with these ballroom showstoppers!

Feathers have gotten a bad rap, too often conjuring up images of tiaras, cracked rouge and perfume-stained boas. Not this year. Designers across the board are creating fluttery confections that are delicate and tasteful — evoking elegance rather than costumes. Through the use of monochromatic color schemes, along with simple accessories and silhouettes, feathers have been reborn as a modern and classy textural element.

Proenza Schouler displayed an urban and cool daywear approach, pairing boxy sweaters with knee-length skirts that swished with thickly layered ostrich feathers in grey, black, and taupe.

Dries Van Noten also offered a cool daywear approach by polka dotting single tufts of long feathers along pants and pencil skirts. This modern technique added a soft undulation to the classically tailored silhouettes. Gillian Anderson dazzled at the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards in a black sheer number dotted with raven feather rosettes along the train. Fluttery feather tufts and trims are sure to make their way to the Oscars. In stores, feathers will appear along hemlines, cuffs, and belts. This soft embellishment will also make its way onto new accessories, such as Peter Pan collars and ankle boots.

Bring this fun and delicate feather trend to the ballroom with these fluttery numbers!

Still immersed in the monochrome black and white color blocking from spring and summer, designers transformed the look, adding a touch of winter glamour and moody elegance with powerful gold accents. Gold, the universal symbol of luxury and wealth, adds decadence and prestige to black coats, dresses, and gowns.

The Alexander McQueen brand push forward with this flawless color scheme in its winter 2014 collection. Over-the-top voluminous evening gowns echoed the splendor of the 16^th century with gold and pearl embellishment. Gucci conveyed a steamier side with black mesh gowns and gold feathers accents.

Celebrities have been quick to pick up on this highly photogenic trend. Hailee Steinfeld showcased a sophisticated and slimming black gown by Andrew Gn at the Golden Globes after party. The simple number was embroidered with gold birds and stars. Julianna Margulies exuded regal perfection at the Golden Globes Awards in a bell-shaped black gown with baroque gold embroidery along the hem and sleeves.

This trend will pop on all the black classics in stores this winter. From the pockets of black blazers, to the tips of black pumps, gold embellishment will be sure to add a touch of royal allure. The trend will be sure to stay for a few seasons, offering a look both slimming and opulent.

Try out this glamorous and eye-catching trend in the ballroom with these lavish looks!