NICHE style Fall 2016

NICHE magazine
IN THE NAVY
FIX
by Jennifer Costanzo | fashion columnist
Not only is the color navy on trend
this fall, it is also joined by the Navy
inspired trend. For some seasons now we
have seen army influence everywhere, from
the catwalk to the street. However, this
season, designers are turning toward a new
military branch for inspiration: the Navy.
One of the major shades for Fall/Winter 2016
according to Pantone Color Institute’s fashion
color report is Navy Blue. Navy blue has been
seen on the runways accompanied by Cobalt
blue and Airy blue. The color of blue coincides
with the Navy trend, especially prevalent at
Tommy Hilfiger’s nautical themed Fall/Winter
2016 runway show. Tommy Hilfiger showed a
range of naval officer style coats, worn with
silk baby doll dresses in navy blue. Another
runway show exhibiting the Navy trend was
John Galliano where the same style maritime
coats could be seen as well. At Balenciaga there
was a juxtaposition seen between the different
shades of blues from navy to cobalt as well as
Altuzarra’s Fall 2016 runway show where the
designer displayed unique color blocking.
This shade of navy is not only the perfect
color for a fall coat but also gives a unique
twist to cocktail dresses, an alternative to
that little black dress you have in your closet.
The coat for Fall/Winter 2016 is the navy
topper, whether it’s a cropped pea-coat or a
Navy-inspired calf length coat, the nautical
trend that was seen in the Pre-Fall collections
gained even more strength on the Fall 2016
runways. The nautical trend was most
seen on fresh takes on the classic jacket.
Fashion designers from New York to London,
and Milan to Paris looked to the traditional
peacoat for inspiration not only in the style of
coat but also in its traditional color, navy blue.
The peacoat has been a piece of outerwear
that people have reached for whenever the
weather begins to change. It is not only a
menswear staple but also a favorite on the
womenswear runways. The peacoat, which
had its beginnings within the military, first as
a versatile piece of outerwear and later making
its way to both the runways and streets.
HISTORY of the peacoat is deeply rooted within
the military and the Navy. The Dutch Navy
first wore the peacoat during the nineteenth
century. While the Dutch are credited for
inventing the peacoat, it was the British Navy
who can take the credit for its popularization.
After the British began sporting the peacoat,
it crossed the pond and showed up on
the men of the American Navy. The reason
the peacoat worked so well for the military
and Navy was due to its durability. It could
withstand rain, wind and cold temperatures,
which were typically experienced out at sea.
As well, the coats were form fitting and most
of them were double breasted with a collar
that could be buttoned all the way up the neck
for added protection. Nearly all peacoats
had either brass or plastic buttons with an
image of an anchor imprinted on them.
The first peacoats, originally worn by military
personnel are still in style as an option for
the colder months of the year. The fit and
construction of the jacket have changed and
modernized making it an easy and fashionable
go to option for layering in the cooler weather
headed our way this fall and winter. If you
already have that perfect peacoat but want to
be on trend with the “It Color” and trend for
Fall 2016, pieces to invest in are sailor pants,
double breasted coats or nautical themed
jewelry.
42
FALL FASHION ISSUE 2016