Every year around this time, I grow tired of my summer clothes and the
way my bare thighs to stick to my leather car seat. Thankfully, just
as I'm dreaming of cozy sweaters and tall boots, warm fires and chilly
nights, designers introduce their fall collections, magazine editors
plaster the goods across glossy spreads, and models and actors start
to wear them.
If you're like me and you're dreaming of cool weather fashions, here's
a sneak peek at what's hot for the coming season. These are the top
trends that came down the runway for fall--and the ones that are
showing up on your favorite stylish A-lister. Adopt these looks if
they suit you, or mix and match the trends you like--the ones that fit
your body and your personality. Get a leg up on shopping now, and,
come fall, you'll look super chic--just like your favorite star.
Styles
Ruffled blouses: In stark contrast to the menswear-inspired suits
designers are showcasing for fall (more later), the ruffled blouses
they're pushing are sweetly and seductively feminine. This season's
styles are delicate, gauzy and soft, with lots of ruffles, lace, full
sleeves and demure buttons. Before you turn your nose up, however, you
can make these delicate blouses edgier by layering them under the
season's stylish cropped jacket. (The layered look is in for clothes
this fall, trust me you will look so hip.) Or, do as Kate Bosworth
does, save the world from sugar shock by pairing an ultra-feminine top
with jeans. Which leads us to our next fall trend&
Skinny jeans: I understand that fashion fluctuates, and that it's time
to retire the bootleg, but I don't like the skinny-jeans trend. The
low-rise, flared-leg jeans of yesterday are much more flattering than
the super-sleek, skinny, slouchy-ankle (called "the skinny stack"
according to People magazine) jeans of this season. Stars--and
celebrity stylists--apparently disagree. Celebs like Jessica Alba,
Kate Moss, Ashlee Simpson and Carmen Electra are already sporting
super-skinny jeans, typically with heels or occasionally flats (for
the more long-legged). Let's hope this trend passes quickly, but in
the meantime, if you dare, opt for heels and a top that hits at the
hip to add length and balance to your super skinny jeans.
Leggings: Leggings looked stupid in the 80s and they can look just as
unflattering now if you don't wear them right. Get the look down,
though, and modern leggings are fresh--thankfully they're not paired
under jackets with giant shoulder pads, baggy tunics, bad perms and
oversize matching plastic earrings. (Men especially hated this look. I
don't really remember men commenting much about women's fashion, so
this trend must have been especially ugly.) But I digress. If you want
to wear leggings, make like stylish celebs Jessica Alba and Sienna
Miller (who always look cute) and pair black, mid-calf-length leggings
with ballet flats and an oversize, belted tunic or minidress. (Key
word: belted.) Don't wear brightly colored or ribbed leggings, and
steer clear of shiny ones unless you're going running. As well, don't
throw a super slouchy tunic on top or you'll just look sloppy. And,
for Pete's sake, unless you're Mischa Barton-skinny, don't wear
leggings with a cropped top. Leggings underneath a cute little dress
or belted tunic or sweater is the way to go.
Military Jackets/Menswear: Okay, finally a fall trend I can totally
support. There is nothing sexier on a gorgeous woman than a masculine
suit (remember Kate Hepburn? Madonna in her Vogue video)? Stars like
Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz look stunning in menswear-inspired
suits. It's the contrast of striking femininity against tough
masculinity. To wear this trend well, keep your hair loose and your
makeup soft, and be sure to add bold jewelry. My favorite suits for
this season are black or gray pinstriped pantsuits, preferably with
flat-front trousers and a deep vee-neck jacket. As for military
jackets, I like them in blues with gold accents, paired with jeans and
the season's hot new ankle boots, or even flats.
Flounced Skirts and Modern Minidresses: Show off great legs (think
Halle Barry and Sarah Jessica Parker) in this fall's short skirts and
dresses, along with those super hip aforementioned ankle boots. Just
keep the rest of your look sleek and toned down. To feel like an adult
and not a tot or, eek, a woman of questionable morals, pair minis with
opaque, dark tights and flats or boots. And for goodness' sake, do not
wear a revealing top. As for flouncy, balloon skirts, you can get a
little bit more creative with your top, depending on the skirt length
and style. As a rule, pair a more detailed, ballooned, feminine skirt
with a less dramatic top and vice versa. Wear these with heels. One
note: Steer clear of jumpers, unless you want to look like a Swiss
milkmaid or a Catholic schoolgirl.
Colors
As you've guessed, somber hues like gray, black and brown are in this
fall. Along with muted colors, embellishments are at a minimum, but
that doesn' mean you can' add a great piece of jewelry, like a pearl
brooch or an oversize cocktail ring, to the mix. Or punch up the
somber mood of fall fashions with faux animal skin shoes or a bag, or
anything oversized and gold, like a big gold chain necklace or
hammered cuff.
Red: According to Vogue, (Check out the mag' September spread with
Christy Turlington) red is the new black. How to wear it? A stunning
allover piece, like a red dress in a warm hue, or a red tunic is
gorgeous. If that' too much, red patent leather boots or strappy
leather sandals add a splash of red without going overboard. Head to
toe red or red accessories still sound too bold to you? Try bright red
lipstick, bright red nail polish, or a little clutch in, you guessed
it, red. One note of caution: I wouldn' recommend the red military
jacket unless you're calling the hunt.
Bold dangle earrings, like these from Moon River Pearls, are in for
fall.
Jewelry
Clothes are somber this season, but there is an upside: jewelry isn't.
Now's the time to bring out (or buy) bold metallics and yellow gold.
Hammered gold oversize earrings (like chandeliers, hoops, and dangles)
are in this season, as are hammered gold cuff bracelets and wide
gemstone cuffs in a bright hue like carnelian or aventurine. Black is
also back in a big way. Try a black pearl necklace or a strand of
demure white pearls tied with a black ribbon (there's that sexy
contrast again). Or a black beaded bracelet or black pearl dangle
earrings. And forget the long, layered necklace look for now. It's all
about one statement-making piece. Try tying your pearl necklace in a
loose knot before putting it on, or, to really make it fresh, thread a
cocktail ring, class ring or bold brooch on your pearl necklace.
Remember, with bold jewelry, you are making a statement, so keep other
jewelry to a minimum. This season's fashions are the perfect backdrop
to statement-making pieces. Now go get creative!
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