Less is more when it comes to the minimalist fashion trend for fall 2008. Streamlined silhouettes and tailoring, solid, monochromatic shades of white, gray, and especially black, and generally pared-down looks and clean lines have taken up residence for the season.

Simply Stunning

After spring and summer seasons chock-full of endless bouquets of floral prints, fancy frills, notions, lace, and ultra romantic, pretty embellishments, for fall 2008 designers responded with a contrasting movement of simplicity of a stark, covered-up, carved-out silhouette and a starkly monochromatic palette. So, is this nod to simplicity, yawn-worthy? Not at all. Pared-down – even austere – neutrals are quietly fabulous and oh-so high on style.

Designers notorious for being masters of minimalism like Gianfranco Ferre, Jill Sandler, Giambattista Valli, and Michael Kors are playing on home court for the fall 2008 and winter 2009 seasons, with stunningly simple collections being en vogue. Romantic notions have been swapped for stark, architectural shapes that looks simultaneously classic and futuristic, and after trends of brown, gray, and even "green" thwarting it ins season gone by, black is resuming its rightful place in fashion as the new black.

1. Theory Suneeta Dress, £255.00, My Wardrobe
2. Miso Wet Look Leggings, £12.99, Republic
3. Gabor Bassanio Ankle Boots, Black, £69.95, John Lewis
4. PEPE JEANS COLOUR BLOCK DRESS, £75.00, house of Fraser
5. METAL FLOWER WRISTWEAR, £7.00, Dorothy Perkins
6. Lacy Lattice Chandelier Earrings, £10.00, Monsoon
7. Black Patent Court Shoe, £35.00, Miss Selfridge

1. GREY BELTED PONTI DRESS, £30.00, Dorothy Perkins
2. Thomas Burberry Monro Black Leather Dress, £419.00, My Wardrobe
3. Peter pan collar shirt dress, £50, Oasis
4. A.P.C. Bow-front dress, £180.87, Net-a-porter
5. BAMFORD Wool drop shoulder dress, £602.90,
6. LINEASLEEVELESS BELTED DRESS, £32.50, House of Fraser
7. cufflink shirt 2-in-1 dress, £32.00, Jane Norman
8. FENDI Rollneck dress, £942.70, Net-a-porter