runway

The bicycle trend returns with a bobo edge. Today's quote comes from Times photographer Bill Cunningham, who charmingly announced this as the year of the return of bicycles, while covering the shows in Paris.  We couldn't agree more, but would add that from New York to Paris to Milan, this is also the year of the leg--perhaps as a result of all that bike riding--gams are out in all their glory on all the runways this season. This has caused some to lament 'Where Have All the Pants Gone?', but we say, who cares?  Why not get your gams out girls, while the gettin's good?  Consider this shorts slide show from style.com, particularly the luxe satin shorts from Lanvin, bow & lace-trimmed short shorts from Chloé, and slouchy boho prints from Wunderkind. Gets the mind racing about the possibility of zipping around en velo in style, no?  The successful marketing of the bicycle has arisen by simply igniting the imagination of potential riders, making it once again, a chic, continental past time of yesteryear.  This time around, the accompanying fashions and accessories to the bicycle trend have a more bobo feel, appealing to the young, affluent bohemian bourgeoisie, concerned with helping the environment, but wanting to stay fashionably relevant and on the cutting edge. Although we are reluctantly sliding into our autumn/winter attire, we are inspired by Mr. Cunningham and the immeasurable benefit bike-riding contributes to the environment, not to mention ourselves and our gams, we've decided to join the bicycle fray and start our spring training a little early. Here's a breakdown of New York City's intricate web of "Greenways" and our hit-list for hitting the pavement in style:

• Paul Frank Julius Hearts Me Cruiser at Target in black! SO CUTE!! : $380
• Spanx by Sara Blakely Patterned Tights, for keeping your tootsies warm: $28
• Protec Classic Helmet, great alternative to "mushroom" head: $44
• Sigg Butterfly Dreams Water Bottle: $21.99
• Rebecca Taylor cute, cuffed Tweed Shorts: $260

How high-end rompers and jumpsuits became the must-have luxury item for fall The once utilitarian pant-suit, preferred by auto mechanics and Kafka characters alike, have hit the runways in droves this fall.   These aren't your run of the mill industrial cotton recreational rompers, however.  The season's must-have pantsuit is a luxury item from clavicle to ankle, constructed from rich, luxurious fabrics like wool, cashmere and silk, and coming in at luxurious prices to boot, from around $900 - $2700.

Having enthusiastically embraced the "Great flowing dresses of Summer '08" trend, (a.k.a., the world's most flattering, comfortable coverup) we can certainly see how fashionistas might be craving a similar transitional piece for fall, so great was the comfort of the flowing sundress, so successful it was at camouflaging our "problem" areas.  Designers have responded to with a smart strategy of providing loyal followers with an autumnal alternative to the summer coverup. The streets from New York to Paris and beyond are already filled with technocrat-suits galore, and we have even more to look forward to this Spring '09, judging from the catwalks.   Thus we leave you with our brief take on the seamless transition from the comfy sundress to the even comfier one-stop jumper.  We love Catherine Malandrino's gorgeous gold silk number to the left, and you can check out jumpsuit runway shots at style.com for more from Max Mara, Anne Valérie Hash, Dolce & Gabbana, and Pucci.

Is society in need of superheroes? Or are the new couture costumes a superhero trend in disguise? With all the buzz surrounding the most anticipated movie of the year, The Dark Night, which opens next week and could earn the Heath Ledger a posthumous Oscar nod, we wonder if it’s the movie itself, the Met’s Superhero Gala, or a society in need of a pick-me-up that sparked a major superhero trend on the Autumn/Winter couture runways in Paris last week.

Particularly on the Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel runways, where sleeves were big, sweeping silhouettes were big and major headgear was big, couture as costume has taken on a super-heroic life of its own. Ways to Get Your Superhero Fix: * Don't Miss The Dark Night, beginning July 17, 2008 * Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy exhibit on until September 1, 2008 * Shop Ricky’s NYC for the best in over the top products for makeup and hair * Accessorize at the MoMA store with whimsical, geometric scarves and glass bubble jewelry