Colorblocking and other fashion trends were displayed Monday when the Great Bend Senior Center hosted its spring fashion show.
The Great Bend Recreation Commission cosponsors this annual show. Models sported clothing and accessories from Completely Kids, Mainstream Boutique and other MyTown businesses, and Maurice’s, all in Great Bend.
Modeling children’s clothing were Ellis Long, 7; Calista Long, 12; Landyn Harlow, 2; and baby Maxton Harlow. Adult models were Rozie Tomlin from the Senior Center; Megan Hammeke from the Rec Commission; and Sally Rychlec, Wilma Steadman and Janice Walker.
Bailey Ziegler, store manager at Maurice’s, said shoppers are enjoying this year’s fashion trend of “lots of bold color, stripes and colorblocking,” defined as wearing two or more solid blocks of color in a single outfit. Hammeke modeled an example from the store, sporting capri pants and a matching handbag in this year’s popular coral color, a striped T-shirt and navy top.
Dana Long with Completely Kids said children’s clothing is also picking up some of this year’s colors, such as coral. Camouflage and “John Deere” items continue to be popular, she added.
Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that while colorblocking is considered a hot trend, it’s been around for more than one season, and can be considered a fashion classic. It’s a move away from the earth tones and often pairs chunks of contrasting colors. Just make sure, fashion designer Lisa Perry told the AP, not to come off looking like a sports mascot or holiday decoration.
“A blue dress with orange pockets? It’s the Mets. And I will never do a black dress with orange pockets — Halloween, or yellow, because that’s a bumblebee. But no sports team is going to do acid green or purple with black unless they’re the coolest team in the world,” Perry said. Sometimes she’ll use grey as the binding neutral color, especially with turquoise or hot pink which have a little bit of a tropical vibe, and her bestselling dress is black with hot-pink pockets.
Another look that’s popular this year is ombre’ – graduated shades of a tone from light to dark (or dark to light), Ziegler said. This fashion trend began circa 2008 and is still going strong. Fashion sources note it can include hair, nails and even lip color.
GBRC Executive Director Diann Henderson was emcee at Monday’s fashion show. Refreshments were served after volunteers each modeled two or three ensembles.