Top 13 fashion trends for 2013

Models in high-waist jeans. This has been one defining trend of 2013. PHOTO/DUNCAN WILLETS

What you need to know:

  • Asymmetrical hemlines on dresses and tops added interest to the normal every day wear by giving it a twist.
  • The discerning know peplums camouflage love handles and unnecessary bits around the midriff.
  • 2013 has been a year of colour- formal wear that mostly comes in dull solid colour, received a colour boost.

Floral

Floral jacket. Flowers were everywhere - on tops, jackets, dresses- the brave wore them on leggings and trousers as well. Model Melissa Mathu. PHOTO/JENNIFER MUIRURI


Flowers were on tops, jackets, dresses. However 2013 is the year flowers went south and landed on trousers and leggings. Only the brave followed them thence.

Printed pants on Nairobi streets are part of 2013 fashion trends. PHOTO/EMMA NZIOKA

Blouses

Blouses in soft fabrics featuring frills were big in 2013 giving the classic white shirt the feminine touch. Model Melissa Mathu. PHOTO/JENNIFER MUIRURI

They made a great showing this year. Could be the Olivia pope influence but the ultra-feminine blouse was a huge part of the year.

Coming in chiffon featuring frills, lace, pleats in an array of colours, the office has never been more female.

Kitenge shorts

Kitenge short. PHOTO/FILE

What shall we say?

The lasses and the lads rocked this for a good part of the year to bewildered reception.

The lasses have been wearing kitenge in its many forms, they probably still should. As for the spindly hair legs lurking from beneath the gents’ shorts…the jury is still out.

Colourful shoes

Colourful doll shoes on Nairobi streets are part of 2013 fashion trends. PHOTO/EMMA NZIOKA

Thanks to Beijing, the relationship with the east has come down to mass level.

From the super highways that we all enjoy, now we can personally feel and reap the benefits of the relationship with the east in a more personal way.

The cheap, comfortable flat shoes have made our weekends so much more comfortable and colourful.

Hi-low trend

Hi-low top was a top trends for 2013. PHOTO/JENNIFER MUIRURI

Asymmetrical hemlines on dresses and tops added interest to the normal every day wear by giving it a twist.

Short at the front and long at the back, it gave a chance to straddle both worlds: revealing and concealing. This look has returned that elusive aura of mystery.

Exposed zipper

Exposed zip. Model Amina Mwanaisha. PHOTO/JENNIFER MUIRURI

At once functional and decorative, the exposed zipper was on everything from bags to dresses to shoes and shirts.

The zip hardly gets any attention especially if it works properly. however, this exposed zip is all out calling attention to itself ad well as cutting the need for additional accessories or making the process a much more creative a task.

The back with a view

See-through, lacy backs, bows, chains and embellishments at the back, the front of an outfit wasn’t the only place to look. PHOTO/PHOEBE OKAL

Outfits with details at the back gave more of a reason to turn and steal a second look.

See-through, lacy backs, bows, chains and embellishments at the back, the front of an outfit wasn’t the only place to look.

See-through, lacy backs, bows, chains and embellishments at the back, the front of an outfit wasn’t the only place to look. PHOTO/PHOEBE OKAL

Elbow patch

Elbow patches on a shirt. PHOTO/JENIFFER MUIRURI

The gents all decided that a patched elbow was a good idea. Previously a preserve for tutors and university dons, the patch is now cool.

An official shirt when worn underneath a work jacket it transits flawlessly to the weekend.

The ladies too caught on. A truly versatile item in anyone’s wardrobe.
Dazzling blue

Dazzling blue fought for its place as one of the major trends for 2013. Trend modelled by Amina Mwanaisha (L) and Melissa Mathu. PHOTO/JENNIFER MUIRURI


Orchid may be Pantone - the colour experts'- choice for the year 2014 taking over from emerald.

However 2013 in Kenya belonged to dazzling blue. This electric shade of blue has been received warmly by both lasses and lads giving a much welcome makeover to the much loved colour blue.

This was for the bold and the conservative alike.
The peplum

A black lace peplum top over a black pencil skirt. PHOTO/FILE


It has been around for a while.

The discerning know it camouflages the love handles and unnecessary bits around the midriff.

The more discerning ones have a tailor make them a detachable one that can be used to transform a sheath dress, skinny jeans, pencil skirts into something different altogether.

PS if the tailor is very clever, he can make a two-sided peplum that you can flip over for yet another look.

High-waist

Blue and Brown High Waist Pants. PHOTO/COURTESY

A high waist was on jeans accessorised with contrasting belts. Other fabrics followed suit. The style is great for holding in the tummy and giving an illusion of a slim waist.

Bow ties

Once a rarity, the bow tie was on formal and casual outfits. It came in many colours and textures making for a more colourful 2013.

A model wears a bow tie from Chico Leco. PHOTO/COURTESY

Checks

Checks go one step better than stripes in adding interest to outfits.

They also have the advantage of merging many more colours for outfits that can be worn in many more combinations.

The year has seen many sizes of checks with the smaller checks being best suited for office and formal wear and the bigger checks for casual wear.

Checked shirt modelled by Angela Kimberly Mungai from Versatile Modelling agency. PHOTO/DUNCAN WILLETTS

2013 has been a year of colour- formal wear that mostly comes in dull solid colour, received a colour boost.