In Rome legs dominate the winter fashion scene of 2007

What do the fashion savvy women do in Rome these days? They emphasize their legs. Yes, their legs. Legs are the focus of winter 2007. This winter season it is definitely boots, bold colored and patterned leggings, knee socks and thigh-high socks. Wow. Gone are the days when basic winter clothing, like socks and tights just had the function of protecting one from the cold. Now legwear is about making a strong fashion statement. Gone are the boring, dull shades. Instead it is black and purple dominating the winter 2007 shop windows in Rome. These rich colors of the season transcend from outerwear down to the leg-wear and to the wonderful underwear clinging to your skin.

Now I will tell you about what I observed during my long walks through the city of Rome during December and the New Year. The weather was unusually mild for late December and the New Year, so this gives all the more reason to concentrate on shopping for trendy and practical clothing to spruce up one’s wardrobe not only for the winter season, but also for the upcoming spring.

Boots are very necessary this season because they are about femininity, practicality and identity. It is all about making one’s legs look sensuous, right down to the leathers and heels. That creates sex appeal. The first thing I noticed when arriving in Rome on a December day, was how many women were wearing boots. You cannot help but notice the variety of boots on women’s legs in Rome. The Roman women obviously love them—probably for all sorts of reasons like comfort, but also for making a personal fashion statement. But, what is the newest trend in boots exactly? In vogue are boots featuring a pseudo-western-type heel, with leather tappering just above the heel—giving it almost the look of a spur rest. It looks real smart and gives the boot sex appeal. My favorites are the boots which feature a slouched down leather leg. This winter boots are to be teamed-up with one’s favorite sweater outfit, skirt, leggings, or even cropped trousers ending at the knee.

Legs are the important feature this winter season and it is not just about flattering the ultra skinny body, but to flatter all female body shapes. Leggings, hose and knee socks are all in vogue. Remember how popular leggings were back in the 80’s ? Well, now they are making a strong impression again. Leggings can be had in dark rich colors and in various thicknesses; so don’t even worry about feeling cold once it is coupled with a long body hugging sweater. This is practical, yet chic. Remember this is all about functionality, comfort and looking spectacular. One of my favorite shops on Via Del Corso 122/125 is “Stefanel” because it offers clothing and sizes for all women, their sweater and legging outfits were some of the nicest I found. “Stefanel” has various locations throughout Rome.

And, women are showing off their legs in yet another way: wearing very colorful tights, even with bold patterns. Knee socks and hosiery have finally been given priority on the fashion scene. They are no longer just a covering for the legs, rather this season hosiery has other functions: color, vitality and creating an individualistic look. Another new item this season are the long socks that end at the thigh (with elastic to hold them up). These are very sexy and very in style. I have never seen anything like it! A must have. This is the way to spice up the relationship between skirts, shoes and boots. The ideas for interjecting mood and personality into one’s outfit are endless. And, knee socks have made a strong statement as well. They are once again popular. Gone are the days when knee socks were only available in boring neutral shades. Now they have loads of color and presence. They are not only eye catching but seductive because they are dressed-up with lace, ribbons and patterns. My favorites are the ones with the lace trimming on top. Wow. I never imagined knee socks could look so great!

Basically, all one needs to look really great in the 2006 – 2007 winter season is to stand back, pull out a few pieces from one’s closet, pull on some colorful knee socks—and make sure they peek above your boots, as it will add sex appeal. Here is a hint: my favorite place to look for hose, knee socks and tights is “Calzedonia” in the Spanish Steps area located at 64 Via Fratina in Rome. But this is not the only place, the city of Rome is filled with hosiery shops and one needs to take a look into each and every shop to be certain that nothing has been passed up. Every store seems to have something special to offer.

Now I will talk about sweater color. Black and purple are making a strong statement for what is very chic this winter 2007 season. Dark, bold black and purple sweaters, long, and running over the hips down the thighs, a coupled with matching leggings or skirt. The sweaters of the season feature large cowls draped below the neckline, accentuating the bossom. The look becomes even more enticing when the hips are graced with a wide belt. The belt reflects one’s personality and sets the mood. It isn’t just the black and purple, but red and white sweaters are pretty too, with either cowl neckline or v-neck styles.

Blouses and casual wear dresses are another sought after item. The next hot fashion item I found in Rome—and so exquisite—are the shiny, purple satin blouses worn under black jackets of all styles and lengths—a very sophisticated look and inviting. Just imagine the delicate purple lace bra and thong you could wear underneath it? If one is searching for a trendy dress design, one’s eyes will definitely be confronted with the geometric. Geometric patterns dominate and the most popular colors are patterns using mauve, purple, black and crème. What makes these dresses so special is that they cling so nicely to the body and can be worn also with black leggings.

What does one wear under the sweater, dress or blouse of the season? The answer is: sexy black, purple or mauve lingerie. Black corsets are very popular this year, not to mention the dainty purple ones. Bras, panties and thongs abound in sensuous shades of alluring purple, mauve crème and black. Black and purple transcend the whole fashion scene from the sweater you wear right down to the delicate intimate underwear next to your skin— sexy intimates worn in this seasons rich dark palette. So, there is no reason not to feel warm, cozy and sensuous.

Rome is one of my favorite cities for shopping and that is because the personality of the city and culture is so distinct from other Italian cities. While in the shopping mood, I like to stroll down Via del Corso and then turn my attention to the smaller streets leading toward the Spanish steps area. However, these are not the only areas to find beautiful clothes. Some of my favorite shops are also in the Torre Argentina area; there are some hot looks to find here. And, make certain to explore Viale Guglielmo Marconi; this is not in the central area of the city, but beyond Trastevere; and worth the visit. Don’t ever believe that it is only in one area of Rome city where you will find the best looks and buys. Rome has numerous neighborhoods and even the small shops there might feature something unique and of very good quality. Rome is a fashion haven. What more can I really say. If you have the desire to walk all day and are willing to walk for many kilometers your feet will lead you to the most interesting shops in Rome. And, don’t’ forget the upcoming sale season starting January 7 and running until mid-February, 2007. I cannot stress it more: this is the time to really find great bargains.

Like I said earlier, the hot looks for this season are boots, bold leg-wear, and of course, long sweaters—a fashion item that every woman can wear regardless of her physique. However, remember the look a woman creates is her own, developed through adding her own personal touches and building on her natural qualities. Leggings dominate fashion in Rome this winter season. But remember this is only the starting point, because pretty patterned knee socks and thigh-high socks accentuate the leather black and brown boots of the season. And, it won’t end there either because these elements will be carried through into the spring. I cannot wait to see the pretty pastels that will emerge when couple with gorgeous brown boots this coming spring! Particularly strong statements very early this year are: mixing colors, textures and patterns to create a genuine look that is really “in”. Remember, the areas to explore are the Spanish Steps area, down Via del Corso, and over on Viale Guglielmo Marconi. And, then indulge yourself into the blacks and purples of the season whether it is a cuddly long sweater sensuously hanging long over your hips or you wear black and purple lace and satin next to your skin.

Go and create your identity using the blend you create with color, bold patterns, leg wear, skirts and leather boots—this is definitely the exclamation mark of the Roman winter 2007 fashion season!

Copyright © 2007 , Karin S. Fester - Scala.

Milan and Rome, Italy

Email: karin.fester@tin.it