By Laurie Montoya

We love Oscar in the springtime. We love Oscar in the fall. Why, oh why, do we love Oscar? After attending a runway show highlighting his “pre-fall” fashions, we are pleasantly reminded of all the wonderful reasons.

If you’ve never heard the term, “pre-fall” refers to fall clothing that ships early and helps to transition us from summer to autumn. Available in boutiques and department stores before September, pre-fall clothes whet our sartorial appetites and get us thinking about what we want – or need – for colder days ahead.

See Our Photo Gallery: A Peek Into de la Renta’s Fall Future

Oscar de la Renta’s pre-fall collection, on the runway at the twice-yearly Fashion in the Park shows in Dallas, is an interesting sneak peek as to what trends designers may carry on into fall.

For one, the waistline continues to be the center of attention. Belted jackets, belted dresses and belted sweaters were prominently featured. This is a flattering silhouette for the majority of us – it doesn’t matter how big our hips are, our waists are usually smaller. It’s a proportion thing and all about accentuating the positive.

If you love the current floral trend, you’ll be pleased to know that Oscar does too: Florals and botanicals are another noteworthy theme from the collection. Bold and graphic floral patterns brightened up the runway and showed up on jackets, coats, dresses and skirts.

Oscar’s evening wear was intensely alluring and will definitely ignite your lust for some fabulous frock to tuck away for fall formal events. For de la Renta, it’s all about the feminine form and making women look and feel fabulous.

Photo by Evans Caglage/Fashion at the Park at NorthPark Center, Spring 2008