If the world needs another sign that Britney Spears look is yesterday s news, check out New York Fashion Week. Gone are the skin-centric, tummy-revealing and exposing trends that Spears and friends like Paris Hilton made ubiquitous. Instead, designers are embracing modesty, using sheer fabrics and lingerie looks to subtly hint at sexiness. It s an extension of the ladylike trends for fall; designers seem to have made the collective decision that a lot of skin isn t in. On Tuesday, Monique Lhuillier presented sophisticated, fluid looks that celebrate a woman s shape without squeezing it. Carmen Marc Valvo showed tasteful swimwear with plenty of coverage, flattering pintucks and low leg openings. Even pantyhose made a comeback over the weekend at the Derek Lam show. Of course, every rule has an exception. Marc Jacobs bucked the trend on Monday with plenty of glimpses of bras, slips and tap pants - but the show was more of an artistic statement than a presentation of wearable fashions. New York Fashion Week wraps up Wednesday after an eight-day preview of the spring-summer looks of 100 or so designers.
