Jackets, Sheers, Yellow Are Possible Sleeper Hits

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STANDARD

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STANDARD

NEW YORK - Fashion's top designers have finished presenting their ideas of where style will go in the spring: Those looks make for great photographs - and conversation - but they're not exactly office friendly looks.

Still, amid the beaded fringe and swaths of neon, there were some potential sleeper hits will help define what we wear next season.

``I'm of two minds. When I'm the fashion editor with a capital F, there was not a lot of great newness. It was a lot of resurrecting last spring's greatest hits,'' says Adam Glassman, of O, The Oprah Magazine. ``But as creative director of O, which caters to real women and how they shop, it's a great season.''

Linda Wells, editor-in-chief of Allure, says she waits for the runway lights to dim before she makes her personal must-have list.

The Associated Press asked Wells and Glassman to predict the trends that will likely make it from runway to real life:

_Jackets

``This isn't your basic blue or black jacket,'' according to Glassman. ``Maybe it's a color jacket or a printed jacket. Maybe it's a parka or a bomber.''

The more athletic styles probably are the easiest to incorporate into an existing wardrobe, he says, but don't limit yourself to jeans or leggings. Jason Wu, for example, paired anoraks with evening ensembles.

The other option is a light summer leather or, even hipper, a perforated leather.

Glassman says designers should get those jackets into stores early in the season so people can really wear them.

_Yellow

Sunny, cheerful yellow _ especially a green-tinged shade called citrine _ seemed everywhere. Unfortunately, says Glassman, it can be hard to wear. He'd suggest a bright yellow shoe or handbag _ maybe even a slim-cut skirt or pants. Still, a yellow dress was tempting from de la Renta, adds Wells.

The better bet, however, might be to switch to tangerine orange, which was almost as popular, but more complementary.

_White

The trick with white is to not look like a nurse, unless you are a nurse, says Wells. Hints of transparency keep the look crisp and clean but adds delicacy, she advises.

Look up the white outfits at Jil Sander if you want to see white done right, she adds. ``There's always tons of white for spring, but the way these were done, they were so sharp like they were cut with scalpels.''

Glassman is a fan of white, as long you're not someone who literally attracts dirt. ``People are afraid of white, but it's so flattering. It literally brightens up your face.''

_Sheer

The contrast between transparent and opaque at Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and The Row gave dimension, and helped bring clothes to life, says Wells. She likes that it was a way of being a little sexy but not over the top. ``It's like you were peering through one layer to see another,'' she describes.

But women are going to have to try anything sheer on in the dressing room, Glassman says. ``It can look great, but there's a leap.''

Start with a sheer hemline on the bottom of a skirt or a sheer lapel on a cardigan or jacket.

By SAMANTHA CRITCHELL, AP Fashion WriterAssociated Press text, photo and/or graphic material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.

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