The year is drawing to a close, people, and it's time to take a look at the fashionable trends of these last twelve months! It's been revolutionary, with literally dozens of new styles taking root, both for men and for women. Designers have come up with several delightful looks that have become a rage on the red carpet, international runways and at social dos.

Womenswear this year has seen considerable changes -- the asymmetrical tops, ponchos, boot-cut pants and clutch purses of last year have now made way for skinny jeans, wedge heels, leggings and empire waist dresses.

Ditto for men -- instead of merely tweaking the trends a wee bit, which is often the case, designers presented a clear-cut wardrobe for the fashion-conscious male this year, ditching sagging denims, psychedelic shirts and baseball caps for clothing with a little more zing -- linen pants, moccasins and oversized neck scarves.

Of course, there are those who are so hell-bent on making sure that they're keeping up with the fickle fashion world that they opt for over-the-top dressing (yes, metallic shades are in and leggings are in -- but have you ever seen a pair of gold lame leggings doing the rounds? Tsk tsk!). So make sure you opt for 'wow' and not 'whoa!'

Let's flag off, then, without further ado, the fashion year that was 2007!

The balloon dress

One of the hottest items of clothing for women this season is, undoubtedly, the balloon dress. A balloon dress is essentially one which has a loose, flowing cut that culminates in a fitted or elasticised hemline, thus creating a ballooning effect. The style was popular in the 1960s and has made a huge comeback this year, along with other trends that belong to the same decade -- oversized sunglasses, leggings etc.

The garment is suited to a host of different occasions -- you can team a balloon dress with flipflops or sandals and a large handbag for a day at the beach, or with a pair of stilettos and a chic tote purse for a night on the town. The billowing comfort of such a dress will also ease your mind about an extra pound or two that you've gained and will give you a classy look, as compared to a body-fit, stretch-it-till-you-burst outfit.

Besides dresses, balloon blouses and balloon shorts are also doing rounds of the fashion circuit at the moment and from the looks of it, the trend will carry well into the better part of 2008.

Linen pants for men

As far as casual togs for men go, there's nothing cooler than sporting a pair of crisp white linen pants, teamed with a breezy bush shirt and slip-on shoes or slippers (and no, we don't mean the rubber kind, but the sophisticated suede or leather one-straps urban males are seen in these days).

If you're going to visit the mall with your girl, grab a quick Sunday brunch with a few friends or simply hang around the college campus on a hot day, linen pants are your best option.

Why?

Because linen is a cooler fabric than denim (which is why you should ditch the jeans, unless you enjoy feeling like a pot roast in summer) and full-length pants are always a better casual option than shorts (no one wants to see your hairy legs and you'd look more suited to puttering around in a garden).

Leggings

This is certainly a surprise -- if any fashionista had predicted a year ago that the who's who of the social circuit would soon be traipsing around in fitted lycra pants, he/she would have been committed to the farm.

But catch on leggings did and they're all the rage right now. Other than the fact that they are in style, they are also practical. If you don't wish to expose too much skin, for instance, you can wear a set underneath a tiny miniskirt or dress (particularly if you've got thunder thighs!). Leggings also look great when teamed with a tunic top or long, flowing blouse.

The best option is to go for neutral pairs like black, beige or white (unless you'd rather look like you belong in a circus, with a pair of stretchy fuschia tights). As far as footwear goes, ballerina flats, stilettos and dainty slippers really set off a pair of leggings -- but whatever you do, don't team them with sneakers, or you'll kill both their feminine appeal and your reputation as a fashion plate!

Oversized neck scarves

Every metrosexual worth his salt has at least one of these tucked away in the recesses of his wardrobe -- and we're not talking about that red scruffy piece that Jackie Shroff traipses around five-star hotels in!

No, oversized scarves in deep maroon, black or chocolate brown, draped loosely around a tuxedo have clicked in a big way this year, as far as menswear is concerned. If you want to look the very epitome of sophistication and elegance, make sure to purchase at least one; the wedding season is upon us and you'll have plenty of chances to show off your well-groomed side.

A word of advice to the Casanovas out there, however -- a large scarf that's easy to choke you with may not exactly be the safest bet if you're planning on a night out with the ladies. If your own missus catches you playing the field, chances are she'll find a noose around your neck already -- all she has to do is pull!

Pencil skirts



Although womenswear seems to be moving in a definite boho-chic direction, there have been a few trends in 2007 that are anything but hippie. Take, for instance, the pencil skirt.

In a fashion world where flowing, layered comfort clothing is still making its presence felt, the slim-fitting form of the pencil skirt, with its hip-hugging habit and narrow, straight cut, has carved its own niche this year.

Ideal for that smart, corporate look and best teamed with a fitted shirt and jacket, the pencil skirt is still feminine. If combined with a pair of killer stilettos and just a hint of decolletage, it is enough to have any man drooling.

Pencil heels, pencil skirts -- just so long as you're not so skinny that you resemble a pencil yourself, you'll carry off this style with elan!

Cut-off jackets

It's not news -- bad boys wear jackets. And we're not talking about the formal kind; we're talking about slick leather, hard denim and sexy suede!

Cut-off jackets -- those that end mid-torso, on or just below the navel -- have made an impression in 2007, as far as menswear is concerned. They're young, they're funky and they spell 'cool dude' more than anything. Make sure to get one that has a straight cut, not a bulky, bloated fit -- if you do, you'll be sure to have the girls swooning. Also, go for a solid, neutral colour that you can wear over anything -- black, brown, olive green and grey are all good choices.

Moreover, this winter promises to a little nippy, so while you're playing the hot guy on the block, you'll also be as cosy as a teddy bear in a blanket in one of these babies!

Empire waist dresses


For those who aren't too familiar with fashion, an empire waist is basically a waistline that starts right below the bust. And empire waist dresses have proved worthy of an empress this year, as far as fashion is concerned!

They've been seen everywhere -- on celebrities, on the catwalk, at social dos -- and the beauty of it is, they come in a host of styles. You can pick an empire waist dress to suit your taste; if you're looking for a little oomph, go for one which shows off your cleavage, and if you prefer to highlight your figure without skin show, opt for one with a constricted bustline.

Also, for those girls who would rather conceal their tummies or hips, this kind of dress is the perfect choice -- since the waist is so high up, the cut flows outward from under it and will keep that extra weight under wraps!

Skinny jeans -- for men, too!


While it has shocked many that today's fashion-conscious men don't have a problem with stepping out in jeans tighter than a sausage casing, it is quite true -- skinny denims are just as 'in' for guys as they are for gals.

Before many of you go from 'va-va-voom!' to 'wa-wa-what!' however, let us remind you that some of the world's most exclusive fashion designers have given the go-ahead to this trend and many of the world's punk rockers have taken it wholly upon themselves to endorse it.

Of course, that is not to say that skinny jeans are for every guy. If you have a swimmer's body, are of reasonable height and look decent enough to carry off pretty much everything you wear, go ahead with the whole look -- you know, the jeans, the canvas sneakers, the witty tee shirt.

If, on the other hand, you've got legs like a tree trunk, are rather short and stocky and have been criticised for your choice of clothing before, please -- for your own good -- steer clear of all three (and somewhere, Salman Khan quietly weeps).

The kimono craze


The Orient is exerting effect upon the fashion world -- just as Indian ethnic wear is showing up on ramps across the globe, the traditional Japanese kimono (a full-length, wrap-around robe, complete with collar and wide sleeves) has become the inspiration of many modern designer creations.

This year saw a lot of kimono-like clothing for the ladies -- blouses with the same billowing sleeves, silk skirts boasting traditional Japanese prints or embroidery and dresses with silk sashes worn high up at the waist. For those who like to flaunt it, there are also mini-dresses and plunging necklines available.

The style is still at the height of its popularity, probably because of its exotic, feminine charm. The gracious, smooth lines of the kimono are enough to make any woman feel like a Japanese empress!

Heavily embroidered sherwanis

Indian men are comfortably secure in their masculinity that they've taken to brightly coloured and heavily embroidered sherwanis this year! With the birth of the metrosexual, designers are no longer afraid to blend the fashions of the two sexes. So what do we get? A range of Indian formalwear for men in a host of crazy hues and intricate threadwork.

In case anyone has any misconceptions that such sherwanis look feminine, let us remind you that the likes of John Abraham and Kelly Dorjee have walked the ramp in such outfits, looking as hunky as ever!

So, guys, ditch the boring grey suits and decide to dress up a bit for a change! If you'd rather stand out in a crowd rather than blend into a sea of dully dressed males, make sure to pick up on this hot new trend of 2007 and don't be afraid to experiment with colour and embroidery!


Text: Sanaya Dalal. Photographs: Uttam Ghosh and Rajesh Karkera