Baton Rouge may not be as fashion backward as some people believe.
Several fashion trends shown at this past week’s Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week will make their way down to the “Red Stick” for the upcoming fall season.
Baton Rouge boutique Hemline carries some of the big-name designers seen at Fashion Week, such as Diane von Furstenberg, Badgley Mischka and BCBG Max Azria, said Leslie White, Hemline employee.
Keith Kimble, owner of Loft 3H, said his store plans to carry some Fashion Week trends, such as houndstooth-patterned clothing.
Loft 3H quickly sold out of houndstooth jackets this past season, but it will definitely have more for the fall, he said.
Other trends, such as feathers and cape coats, are not realistic to sell in Baton Rouge, Kimble said.
“What you see on the runway is sometimes a bit dramatized, and the ready-to-wear version is more tamed down,” he said. “I try to stay as current as I can, but Baton Rouge is a little slower than some cities, so sometimes you have to push the trend harder.”
Kimble offered several tips on how Baton Rouge women can be fashion forward and trendy but not go to the extreme.
“Keep classics and basics so you look timeless, but don’t be scared to try the trends,” he said. “Just know when the trend is over, and put it in the back of your closet until next time. It is better to be the first one wearing it than the last.”
Katie Cole, textiles science senior, said college-aged women can definitely pull off some of the styles seen at Fashion Week.
“Runway clothing gets diluted by the time it becomes ready-to-wear,” she said.
Schoolgirl skirts and mini-skirts with boots are easy to wear, yet fashionable, Cole said.
Katie Crandall, manager of Rodeo Boutique, said her store always tries to sell unique styles but still keeps up with the major fashion trends.
“Plaid and lace, which were popular on the runway, will be in for the fall,” Crandall said. “A lot of the patterns will be retro, but they will be more classic and have a sleek silhouette.”
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Contact Drew Belle Zerby at [email protected]