Smock Dress

Smock Dress

Fall Collection | Fall Dresses | Fall 2006 | Fall 2006 Collection

Sharp Feminine Silhouettes and Drapes for formals

The first influence of this season is the highlighted bodice; designers this season are placing more emphasis on fitted shapes with striking color and embroidery or ornaments. Plunging neckline is crisply molded and matched to the extravagant inlays of the skirt with deep neckline and decorative mosaic designs are ruling the fashion modes. With the globalization of fashion trends, simplifying and highlighting the bodice in formalwear designs broadens the designer's reach across cultural expectations.

The second influence is the bold feminine shape. Pinpointing the key looks, there is a distinct departure from the soft, pretty femininity of the past few seasons for autumn, as designers cut a cleaner silhouette and toyed with the concept of shape. The possibilities of texture and layering are cleverly explored and designers are using sheath, trumpet, princess, mermaid, and a-line styling to create curvy dresses, many with corseted or structured undergarments, reasserting the womanly look in this season's formal line. Gone are the demure straight silhouettes and the tailored work wear looks of the previous century. The post-9/11 woman sees her public as a proud yet traditionally sensual individual.

The third influence of the season is the new emphasis on soft, feminine expression through silk and chiffon overlays, lace bordering, and beaded or rhinestone hems, lines, and straps. While the partygoer is simply elegant with brilliant structural accents, the bride dons a flowing gown overlayed with embroidered or appliquéd sheath. Soft satin silk is the fabric of choice, with form-enhancing embellishments to match the wearer's personality.

Color in bold and beautiful

The palette for the season, though predominantly dark, is occasionally electrified with brilliant flashes of color. The traditional shades of black and grey are represented beautifully, supported by bursts of bolds and touches of shine. With a season draped in darkness, refreshing shots of sapphire blue and pops of marvelous magenta or coalesce colors in divine dresses perch up the entire season. Have fun and let bright colors and bold prints accessorize you this fall!

Color in Red
Punctuating the collections like a brilliant exclamation mark, red shows up intermittently, glinting through a mainly muted palette. Sophisticated and classic for the look that says you're on top of the world.

Black and White
Classic black & white fashions are a hit again in prom 2006 as trend-savvy consumers desire the classic and elegant look. From clean lines to bold stripes and optical waves, monochrome combinations are the seductively simple route to smart dressing. Winter white is an important focus of the season, and it works great for the calendar events like winter or fall formals and cocktails.

Black is Back
Black is the number one staple for the season and will remain so well into 2006. Bright black looks showcase the blustery raven theme in tailored suits, asymmetric tops, and frothy evening gowns.

Gorgeous Grays
Grey is the designers' shade of choice, and no wonder: restrained, chic, edgy - its subtleties allow for eclectic interpretation, whether sharp as steel in silk or soft in jersey knits. Pin tucks and pleats complement grey's cool sophistication. Mix shades and textures for a more directional look. Choose hosiery carefully - sheer styles are a flattering option. Soften up with shades of heather gray this season. It is the only color that encompass coziness and comfort while remaining glamorous. Not to mention it looks great on everyone

Chocolate treat
The beginnings of fall bring decadent shades of our favorite indulgence to another level of luxury. Go ahead and indulge in fall's color palette. The hue drapes beautifully in jersey, sequin or shimmering satin without adding a pound! From rich and dark to creamy and light, chocolate makes everyone feel and look just fabulous!

Eighties Vibes N Trends
Romantic, off the shoulder neckline dress with empire waist in dramatic chiffon drape seem to revive the popular culture for that regal yet fresh and modern look embraced by generation X. Strapless is getting a lot of exposure these days, and the stylists use gems, beads, sheer, and train to add sparkle to the conservative evening. Recapturing the sexiness of the era, the Eighties silhouette is back. Try it in black or jolts of electric colors.

Shimmers and Shines

The warm shine continues into the cooler months. No need for a full metallic blast, instead designers subtly weaved sparkle throughout garments to create a soft yet sexy sheen. For the girls who still want their bling, sequins combined with satin and sheer georgette get you ready for that fabulous evening.

Mini dress Boom

The mini dress or mini skirt for the spring will still reign come the winter, but don't panic: Stores are ordering them longer. Revolutionary mini dress has resurfaced on the runway with its traditional tunic-like and bodice-less smocks in delicate lace and flowing fabrics. Details of woven necklines, perfectly pretty collars and oh-so-fun pockets will take you back to the mod Swinging London times! Thigh-grazing A-line flirty micro dresses will imbue a girlish charm for the season. There are endless ways—dark opaque hose; leggings; long, long boots—to make the mini work for snow days. Opaque tights and leggings will give these short skirts and tunics a cool stylish and contemporary feel as well.

Formal Opulence
Rewind to the baroque luxury of imperial princess and Seventies glam rockers - gilding, rich fabrics and lavish embroidery with confident insouciance Opulence is the theme for the fall 2006, so drape in this opulence with dress down hair and make-up. Tracking down the allure of historical Helen of Troy and Hollywood Jean Harlow-esque with bias cutting and deep décolleté, designers make them the season's next big-night numbers.

Prance in Prom wear, Home coming dresses and Eveningwear
Beaded and bangled, sparkling and luster fabrics factor big this prom 2006 season. For prom dress fabrics, it's smooth satin, silky chiffon, slinky jersey, and lace. Jewel tones in emerald, ruby, sapphire, silver, and gold are important, as well as dress combinations in black and pretty shades of pink. Of course, the geek theme continues strong into this year, paying attention to the details - interesting necklines, pretty fabrics, sparkly touches - to make your prom dress to dazzle. A new trend is a high front slit accompanied by cascading ruffles. Sparkle and shine on the dance floor in shimmering fabrics like organza, glitter ice lace, and lustrous satin. Unique beads and ribbon detailing enhance the figure: rhinestone along the bodice, lace-up ribbon corsetry, criss-cross open backs, or swirls of lace with glitter topping.

New prom silhouettes this 2006 season are in empire waists, princess shapes and A-line separates and modified Mermaid design with a slim bust, waist, and hips that flares out below the knee, the vintage-inspired Empire design with a ruched bodice and flowing, and the lingerie-influenced Corset design with ribbon lacing along the front, side, or back. Rich reds, burgundies, and deep romantic purples and blues pretty coral pinks and turquoise capture the essence of the American Classic look. Winter white and classic black is still strong for early prom events, particularly in strapless dresses.

Fall on Cocktail Numbers
How to achieve fall's most intoxicating evening look? Mix up equal parts satin, silk, and lace; add an elegant neckline, a defined waist, and a flared, flirty skirt. Serve in a sexy-but-sophisticated knee-length dress. Lace in all forms takes center stage, kept simple and modern in white, ivory, and blush.

Bridal and Ball gowns
Fresh from the runway, designers are showing off the softer side of their style. Big voluminous dresses and hair, delicate beading in unique patterns, gorgeous, floral-worthy embellishments, bodices with unique touches, and vintage-inspired details that are far from old-fashioned.

Whether you want a little or a lot of sparkle—designers worked it in this season from subtle glimmers to bold, beautiful bling. Beading gets worked into the lace on this tank gown with a trumpet skirt for an allover sparkly, shimmery effect. Beside this geometric, concentric, circular pearl design ornaments the bodice of sleek, silk crepe gowns. Strands of crystals form the delicate straps on the silk crepe dropped-waist gown. Flowers on wedding dresses are nothing new. Modern, streamlined back detailing recalls a patterned Art Deco look for these gowns. But this season, designers took a bold twist on the romantic front using color, subtle crystals, and crepe—accents worthy of a modern garden wedding. Embellishments of all kinds graced the bodices of this season's gowns, from bold color and pretty pleats to refined ruffles. This season, designers took cues from eras gone by and worked retro accents into distinctly modern gowns—with show stopping results.

So now, accessorize yourself in exotic leathers, metal details and new shapes to give fresh interest to accessories when it comes to dressing up this season's pared-down looks. Carry clutch bags, put on platforms, wedges with elbow-length gloves for that demure, and style to welcome the fashion swing this fall.

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Part 1 of smocking tutorial for Plus Size Dress