In spite of the decadent aura, fall's luxe direction is not an '80s revival or the return of nouveau riche chic. Across gender lines, fall 2000 marks the demise of the Casual Friday craze. Americans have beaten the dress-down notion to death. And if designers have their say, fashion is heading straight for the penthouse. For women, fall represents a season of desire, a hidden longing to be feminine and pretty again.
Suits make a timely and modern entrance in polished leather, mohair, stretch wool and cashmere.
Pants fit through the waist and hip, then billow out around the leg or shoot straight to the floor, ending with a jaunty boot-cut flair, oftentimes with a split up the front or back. Given the rise of the hip-huggin' pant, leather jeans and cropped jackets, there's no denying that the derriere is soaking up the fall spotlight. Trying to squeeze us into the same little black skinny dress is crazy. And business suffered because of it. The most controversial news of the womenswear season is fur.