Trending: Cold Shoulders Are Back This Fall

The off-the-shoulder and cold shoulder looks are a HOT way of showing your arms in a lovely flattering manner.
You don’t have to be a trendsetter or fashionista to notice how off-the-shoulder or “cold shoulder” tops are still trending this season. It is a winning look for almost everyone. Why? I don’t know a single woman who hates her shoulders. Arms, yes! But not the shoulders. This style is a very flattering way to show some skin.
Whether you’re style is classic, sophisticated, romantic, or bohemian, an off-the-shoulder blouse can be easily dressed up or down to go from day-to-night, and leaves plenty of room for accessorizing. While it may not be the right look for the boardroom, it certainly can be for casual Friday, the weekend, date night, and for more style-forward work environments. It’s a great item to add to your wardrobe.
As a matter of fact, this style is so hot that it has translated to every type of top available from tee-shirts, to colored blouses, dresses, ball gowns, even wedding dresses!
Of course, it isn’t new as with everything fashion, it is recycled from a previous era. The off-the-shoulder look was characteristic of the early 1800’s and has had a place in fashion ever since. Carmen Miranda, also known as the Brazilian Bombshell beautifully illustrated this style in the 1950s (pictured left).
The off-the-shoulder and cold shoulder look is now mainstream. You can find the style, color, fabric and statement that is right for you and most retailers don’t see it going anywhere soon. This trend will definitely be on the list for fall. It has been a big hit in a fashion industry that has been experiencing lower and lower sales.

If you are like most of my Success thru Style clients you are a conscientious consumer. You want to buy clothes that you can wear often and for years to come. My recommendation: invest in this style. It will be around for a while. Stick to relatively classic versions of the style that flatters you.
If you invest in a top, make sure you can pair it with more than one look, i.e. slacks, jeans, skirts, different accessories and jackets. If you purchase a dress, the same thing goes, make sure you can wear it with different shoes and accessories, sweaters and jackets so you get varied use from each piece of clothing you buy. If you love an item that is highly trendy buy it on sale or splurge if you want to. It’s okay to have short-term items in your closet as long as you buy them with intention and know there is a place for them in your wardrobe.

Trend Report: Want to find out what else is trending this fall/winter? Download our Trend Report to find out what’s currently in style and more importantly, which of the trends are right for your personal brand. This guide will help you see what’s still showing up on the runway, what’s new and what’s for you.