Zara - Fall/Winter 2010-2011

In order to tell if the next season will be a good year for fashion, offering fashionistas with the necessary to create an up-to-date yet accessible wardrobe, all you have to do is take a look at Zara. This Spanish company has, over the years, succeeded in developing a quality offering whose trend references do not lack in elegance or subtlety.

As the beginning of the fall season approaches, the female gender is concentrating more and more on the newly arrived collections in the boutiques. What will be the new black? Where are the hemlines? What are the "it" pants and other must-haves? After having glimpsed the answers in the fashion mags, these and many other questions demand a more practical approach.

In this case, we will not be heading to H&M (whose fashion analyses often lack in finesse), nor to any particular mid-range prêt-a-porter label (often too expensive), but rather to Zara. Zara excels in the art of offering a desirable wardrobe that is realistic and delicately trendy.

For Fall 2010, the Zara design offices have decided to concentrate on the casual, slightly retro femininity emphasized during the latest Marc Jacobs show. In particular, we fell for the Tati Cotliar looks with knee-length skirts and slightly loose sweaters, bringing back a look that was considered old-fashioned.

Zara also comes on strong with a series of cozy, slightly loose or cable-stitched pullovers that prove to be the perfect match for the 50s and 70s bottoms of the moment. There is nothing like a little cozy sweater to play down a pair of Chloé-esque high-waisted, wide-cut pants or a pair Isabel Marant skinny leather 3/4s.

Equally notable is the presence of gray and chocolate cotton fleece blazers that go perfectly with the voluminous skirts clearly en vogue this season. If some are still a little concerned about the not-so-flattering effects of this type of ensemble, they no longer need to worry - all that is needed is a pair of low-cut heels to slim down the silhouette (says Christian Louboutin, himself).

In conclusion, large knits, wide pants, relaxed necklines, brogues and knee-socks - all of them bathed in fall colors - should make up the melting pot of the trends to follow this season.

Click here to see all the photos: http://www.zara.com/woman/catalogue/