The Mediterranean flavors of Greece and Rome have emerged from the runways as a red-hot fashion trend for 2008. However, is "goddess dressing" really for you?

Soft and floaty, flattering and seductive, designer-inspired Greco-Roman style gowns have put the word feminine back into fashion.

Be it a toga mini or maxi dress, top or tunic, these styles are easy and comfortable to wear.

Greco-Roman Inspired Goddess Gowns

Designers such as Alberta Ferretti, Donna Karan, Vera Wang and J Mendel released their Spring and Summer 2008 creations on the runways of September 2007’s New York’s Fashion Week and already celebrities are touting the best of the styles. References to ancient Rome and Greece include one-shoulder toga dresses with drapes and intricate folds and pleats.

Last season’s one-shoulder dress has evolved into a floaty draped toga for tunics, maxi floor-sweeping gowns and mini dresses. Donna Karan’s silver-gray, flowing full length maxi "made a thoroughly lasting impression," according to Elle’s online gallery of "New York Fashion Week Trends," September 2007.

To complete the Grecian look wear a drapey gown with this season's hip gladiator-style sandals. Go for a feminine strap, embellished or metallic sandal for more delicate appeal.

Goddess Dresses are Glamorous at Any Age

Layered drapes and soft pleating gives a sense of floaty femininity. This is good news for women with a fuller figure as styles vary enough to suit all body types. Soft, front draping is ideal for concealing a fatter tummy and big hips and will gently skim the stomach area, hiding those bits which you don't want on show!

An ideal style for pregnant women who can for once, look right on trend. Goddess dressing is also one of the few current fashion favorites which are just as flattering at fifty as at twenty-five, given a well-chosen style.

On 7th January 2008 Katie Holmes was pictured in a shimmering, silk goddess dress, at the 13th Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica. Looking every inch the movie star, her Lanvin one-shoulder gown was reminiscent of the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age.

However, her fashion statement was not without its critics. The majority of comments from a related blog show that readers felt this particular style was too aging and would be better served on a woman with a few more curves.

One-Shoulder Trend Spring 2008

Women who follow fashion will be baring more skin than ever this year. In deference to the ancient Greeks and Romans, one-shoulder numbers are favored by many designers.

Mismatched shoulders are also set to be a big hit for spring, featured in the majority of the new asymmetry styles. Asymmetric tunics, tops and dresses, even swimwear, get the one –shoulder treatment this year.

"One-shoulder dresses are something every woman should probably have in her closet this season," says Jenn Falk, First Coast News fashion expert, in the 1st January 2008 article “Off the shoulder a big hit in 2008.”

Who Can Wear a Toga Dress?

Whether all types of women can carry off the toga remains to be seen. Most willowy, curvy women will look sensational in a one-shouldered, clinch-waisted, maxi length Grecian frock. Shorter women, however, may feel more like a sack of potatoes than a goddess.

There is also one other catch. In Elle magazine's online style report, “the World upon her shoulders”, its editors report that, with one-shoulder dressing being prevalent this season, “it's becoming clear that perfect posture will be an absolute necessity."

However, whatever your shape, posture, age or size, there are so many dress styles to choose from this season and the influences of ancient Greece and Rome currently hitting our high-street stores are only one shoulder away!