What to Pack: Donna Karan Spring 2011
By Renae Virata
At a private showing of Donna Karan's Spring 2011 collection last month, I couldn't help but feel a little excited at the lineup. This season, the American designer (known for her understated but striking style) was focused on easy-to-wear pieces that are perfect for traveling. Everything is lightweight, versatile, and won't force you to go on that dreaded hunt for an iron and board or decent local dry cleaner. Here's what makes this season from Donna Karan so fabulous.
1) Easy fabrication. Karan decided to do a very unique twist on her signature jersey with lots of overlays, shirring and funky details. The look is new, the jersey comfortable, and the fabric easy to pack! Other fabrics like weathered stretch linen create texture while making a little wrinkleage part of the style. And no worries if those fun details get smashed amongst all your other packed treasures. It's easy to freshen it up with a little "zhuzhing" here and there.
2) Timeless shapes. You can't go wrong with flattering, slim silhouettes; this season's focus on draping; and lots of flow. This is what makes the collection so wearable for years to come. It's these details that make the entire collection fresh without compromising the classic undertones.
3) Neutral but still exciting color. Black still peeks out here and there this spring for Karan, but the designer decided to move away from the classic for a lighter and fresher palette of creams, beiges and khakis. Imagine your corals, turquoises or other bright-hued jewels against the backdrop of these simple pieces! She also introduces a pine green she calls Bengal which is very unique and pairs well with other hues.
4) Versatility. Pieces do double-duty as skirts or dresses, jackets can be tied in multiple ways, and, of course, everything mixes and matches to create myriad looks. One great example is a skirt that Karan cleverly turns into a dress. Layered with the washed linen jacket (which can be worn covering the shoulders or pulled down to reveal a smokin' decolletage), it's a completely new piece!
What you will love: The cool details in the gathering, draping and shirring. They make the collection look tough, easy and romantic, all at the same time. And, of course, the ease of packing these pieces makes them parts of your wardrobe that you won't want to leave at home.
Click here to see the collection at Saks Fifth Avenue or visit Donna Karan.com.
Renae Virata is a "travelista" at heart who founded and operates the fashion / weather / travel website http://www.wearevertheweather.com/. The site shows women what to wear based on the current temperature and precipitation of any city around the world. A user simply inputs a desired location or destination, a date, and a type of occasion into the My Stylist feature. It then pulls together the perfect pieces for that location's weather forecast. Users can create hundreds of different outfits, save their creations, and print and share them through email, Facebook, and Twitter. They can even buy pieces they love by clicking on any of the items that My Stylist recommends. WeareverTheWeather.com also includes a fashion and travel blog with in-depth tips on how to pack effectively and stylishly for any trip.
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