Goddess Dress Trend in Spring/Summer 2009

The classic designs with staying power have been popular on the runways this spring. Perhaps it is the widespread economic malaise that draws women back to the styles that they know will look beautiful, without having to experiment.
It’s no wonder that the classic Grecian draped goddess dress is being used in many looks this year. After all, is there a figure anywhere that isn’t sugar coated by draped, flowing fabric, with soft gathers forming slimming, lengthening ever-changing columns of fabric from the bust to the hem?
There are a few new takes on classic toga dressing that have turned up recently too. For example, the goddess style is being made in one-shoulder designs, and also in near-the-knee hemlines. These are wonderfully flattering and work on the beach with ocean mussed hair and a pair of flip-flops, or at a summer wedding with strappy high heeled sandals and a classic updo.
This year you’ll find the classic goddess dress in bold oranges, blues, and greens. Valentino has one in his signature red. Classic white and black, as well as a few metallic fabrics have also shown up on runways and red carpets.
One of the more gorgeous designs this season was the fuchsia floor-length dress worn by Natalie Portman at the 81st Oscars. That design has brought a lot of attention to designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy, founders of the Rodarte fashion label.
If this look ever truly goes out of style, it is always only a matter of time before women and fashion stylists go back to it. After all, it’s been around for nearly 3000 years, the goddess dress must be doing something right.