The Camel & Co. Trend

The fashion intelligentsia may have already integrated camel into their potentially Sartorial-isable for the last two seasons, but the camel trend will only be officially declared starting of the next fall. However, as a result of being seen again and again in "street style" photos as well as magazines, camel runs the risk of overexposure before even being launched.

Many fashionistas, having clearly decided on the Hannah MacGibbon style, were seen sporting camel during the latest fashion weeks (as seen here, here, and here). It must be said that the creative director of Chloé has been working this color non-stop since fall/winter 2009-2010. Sometimes with a touch of chestnut, honey, or putty, camel has taken its place as one of the spearheads of the classic-look comeback that is rolling over the fashion world.

Long since reserved for the more senior of the fashion citizens, this color has nevertheless needed nothing more than a few months to overtake a majority of the catwalks: numerous designers from Michael Kors to Prada to Dries Van Noten have all punctuated their winter collections with touches of camel.

However, when a trend is on the verge of being overexposed, chances are that it will quickly hit its breaking point. For the last several weeks, the fashionistas have been showing how carried away they have become with camel.

It is true that having seen some of the privileged wear it 6 months before its arrival in the boutiques can give the curious sensation of already finishing with the season before it has begun.

This being said, it remains possible to use camel without appearing outdated. In order to do so, a more boyish approach would be a better choice than the recently overused capes; e.g., a sable-colored straight cut overcoat matched with flare cut jeans, or a long, tobacco brown cardigan with a pair of brogues.

Camel can also provide a base for various autumnal monochrome schemes based on copper, rust, café au lait or chestnut, giving them touch of warmth. For this effect, warmer, 70s-inspired tints will work better than the sensible white shirt.

In conclusion, those who would like to treat themselves to camel without running the risk of overdosing will come out ahead by pairing it with the new pieces of the season (e.g., shearling, flare pants, large knits, etc), which will give it a breath of freshness that can sometimes be found missing.

©photo: Vogue Japan