Oscar De La Renta Pre-Fall 2013 London - Caroline Kent The Pre-Fall collections got off to a swinging start with Chanel’s show in Scotland last week whilst yesterday Oscar De La Renta showed in New York City. Pre-fall, which hits stores in May, bridges the gap between the spring/summer and autumn/winter shows. It determines, just under a year in advance, what we should expect to wear around September or October of the following year. Pre-fall collections are more commercial than the main collections too, as designers save the show-stoppers for the main runway shows in February and September. Oscar’s latest collection kicked off with a news silhouette. Fitted on the torso, then A-line to below the knee, it was prim and proper. Polka dots, subtly clashing prints and cropped pants suggested a playful preppy style, which was mirrored in demure buttoned shirts and cropped jackets. As was the case at Chanel, tweed featured heavily as did, unfortunately, the novelty tights we tried to turn a blind eye to from Karl Lagerfeld’s collection. It was no surprise to see modest and formal cuts from Oscar, but the flared skirts and prints that edged towards retro evoked a Jackie Kennedy-esque insouciant chic. Though the femininity was woven through the collection with a soft-hand, it was effervescently obvious: waists were nipped, colours were pastel, and heels were an inoffensive kitten height. It was classically girlie. Think WASP, think Upper-East side lady who lunches, think Charlotte from Sex and the City.