Despite a natural inclination to frown upon opulence and garish displays of wealth, we are naturally drawn to the gilded façade of the Palace of Versailles in Paris or the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The sumptuousness of décor during the Baroque period of art was undoubtedly over-the-top; however, it is undeniably beautiful and there is something about a gilded mirror that remains appealing.
Last January, the fashion gods spoke and for Fall 2012, baroque is back. Fashion houses such as Balmain, Dolce and Gabbana, and Lanvin, to name a few, all brought out their finest embroidery, curvilinear motifs, and dramatic embellishments. The lavish patterns were seen on everything from dresses to pants. What makes the trend difficult to pull off is that the print can be a bit dramatic for the everyday fashionista. My approach is to make that article the only part of my outfit that stands out.
For example, pairing these patterned pants from Rag & Bone with a sheer black blouse, gold earrings, and a pair of black boots is fashion forward but not overwhelming. One of the main critiques of a Baroque or Rococo style is the business of it all. It seems flimsy and contrived when it is overdone, but with the proper approach you can transfer this runway trend to the campus and look simply chic.
Baroque may be a risk, but it can truly pay off when it is paired correctly. The piece should be a focal point in your ensemble and the rest of the outfit should not be distracting. This will allow you to be at home both on the Emory campus and on the Champs Élysées.