Slit Decision

10 Crosby Derek Lam AW14; Source

It seems like the only decision to make about the slit trend is high how do you go. Are the slits getting higher and higher on skirts and dresses or do I stand alone in my opinion? Whether you are a magazine hoarder, a red carpet stalker, a window-shopper or a combination of all three which pretty much describes me, maybe you have noticed the influx of skirts and dresses with insanely high slits. Let me be up-front with you my friends I am biased I am when it comes to the slit decision.  I am a tad conservative when it comes to the length of the slits in my garments. As a result, you have probably already guessed that in my opinion the length of the slits in skirts and dresses are really too close to regions where slits should not be permitted to venture. The question I keep asking myself lately is what happened to slits that were of moderate length? The new barometer for whether a slit is trendy seems to be dependent upon how high the slit rises.

I often wonder if the slit craze started with that infamous Angelie Jolie pose two years ago. Come on, you know what I am talking about....

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I am referring to the type of in-your-face mile-high slits that are located in the front or side or now between the middle of the front and side panels of skirts and dresses.  I really do love what I call these fashion-forward slits but not when it is apparent that a good strong wind might cause a peek-a-boo moment. I really don't put Angelina Jolie's dress into this category. She seems to be a lady well in charge of her destiny and rarely makes a red carpet mistake. Ok, my moment of gushing about Angelina Jolie is over.

I must confess, however, that I am enthralled by the Fall collections of a select few designers who gave us a classy take on the slit-trend. Altuzzara is one of those designers. His incorporation of the slit-trend exemplifies ladylike elegance and I am not just stating that because he is one of my favorite designers. He seems to always know how far to go with a trend without stepping over the line. Take a look below and let me know what you think. Note: The images below are courtesy of Style.com.

Another chic showcase of the slit-trend are the AW14 runway designs of Burberry Prorsum.

Did you have the opportunity to watch any of the red carpet Emmy Award festivities in August? If not, maybe you had an opportunity to browse the best and worst dressed lists on social media. There was plenty of evidence of the power of a slit on display, don’t you think? One thing I gleaned from watching television and film actresses parade down the red carpet was that not only are celebrities on board with the high-slit trend but in some cases they were aware that sometimes a slit can go up too far to regions that a slit should not go. Here is where I must mention the always classy and ever amazing Scandal actress Kerry Washington for wearing a pair of sequined black shorts underneath her beautiful orange high-slit gown.  This fashion icon gets it I thought. She just proved that a fashionista can still make it on the list of those most photographed on a red carpet by wearing the dress; not letting the dress wear her. The fact is that the shorts, in my opinion, did not in any way take away from her stunning dress.

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Like Kerry Washington, some stars shine bright like a diamond on the red carpet in there slit looks while others... well, I'll let you be the judge.

Anja Rubik; Source

Blake Lively; Source

Halle Berry; Source



Taylor Swift; Source

Zoe Kravitz; Source

Claudia Jordan; Source

Kendall Jenner; Source

Slits seem to be going the way of sheer fashion. It is one of those trends that can easily go too far if not handled the right way, if you know what I mean. One of the things I try to do as a blogger is to determine whether a trend is also stylish. The two are completely separate and always have been, at least in my own mind. Sometimes, in the hands of the wearer, how a trendy item is worn can really push the envelope too far. This trend is one of them. Slits can be classy but only when paired with the right pieces and in the right places. In other words, mile-high slits are probably best for after work hours and only for certain venues. I love to incorporate edgy pieces into my wardrobe whenever I have the chance but I definitely won’t be mixing my front slit-skirts with sheer tops. There are plenty of other options with which to pair my slit-skirts and dresses. Perhaps, I will take some inspiration from the runway. Note: The images below are credited to Style.com.

 

Celine AW14

Celine AW14

Emilio Pucci AW14

Helmug Lang AW14

Ports 1961

Ports 1961

 

Ralph Lauren AW14

 

Reem Acra AW14

Altuzarra SS15

 

Cushnie et Ochs SS15

Dion Lee SS15

As I was blogging about this topic, I started thinking about how trendy separates such as crop tops, sheer tops and other garments that can inadvertently result in too much exposure can result in individuals being placed on the worst dressed list.  It is always important to consider how we want to face the world. Do we want to expose too much or just enough to keep them guessing? I will let you be the judge. A crop top with a micro mini-skirt just does not have the same feel as a crop top with a high-waist skirt or trousers. Regardless, the looks below are a source of inspiration for me in how to incorporate a slit skirt or dress into a look that is oh so appropriate.

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Have I proven that slit looks can be quite charming. Why don't you browse through the additional evidence below and share your thoughts with me? The ladies below are proof positive that slits can be a do and not a don't.

Sarah Rutson; Source

 

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Karolina Kurkova; Source

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Jaimie King; Source

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Victoria Beckham; Source

Selena Gomez; Source

Nicole Richie; Source

I have learned quite a lot from studying how designers and stylists style slit skirts and dresses:

• They can look quite chic with a glimmer of lace peaking out from them.

• They look terrific with oversized sweaters if you are an oversized garment kind-of-girl.

• If you are fashion-forward pairing them with a pair of leggings; especially, leather leggings can look ultra-luxe.

• If you love a dress or skirt but the length of the slit seems to border on the extreme pull from Kerry Washington's playbook and pair it with a pair of shorts in a luxurious material such as silk or satin or embellished with sequins.

 

• Just use Dior's strategy and pair a slit skirt with a boyfriend blazer or if you are not into boyfriend blazers just double up your skirts or dresses. The pairings may at first seem odd but they work. See what I mean. Note: The images below from Christian Dior's AW14 collection are credited to Style.com.

I think a fitting ending is to showcase a couple of memorable slit-dresses worn by some ladies who always make an impression when they step out. These ladies are certainly in love with slits. What about you?

 

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Thanks for reading and commenting. Your continued support means the world to me.