Fall Fashion: My Favorite Looks

There are a lot of interesting fashion looks this fall, such as pencil skirts, jewel tones in ruby, amethyst, emerald, sapphire and topaz, silks, brocades, jacquards, lace, sequins, tassels, muted metallics, tweed, linen, leather, metallic shoes, plaids in clothing/shoes/accessories, stripes/prints, animal prints in clothing/shoes, neon colors, major black dresses, ruffles, ruffled skirts, pleats/tiers/gathers, exposed and multiple zippers in unexpected places, black leather, black tights/patterned tights, vests, embellished long tees, and denim-leggings/chambray shirts/motocross jeans/blue black jeans/vests/dresses/bleached jeans.

There are several trends that if you can't wear it, you can carry it or walk in it, such as ruffles come in all sizes, colors, shapes, directions and materials in dresses, coats, jackets, skirts, sweaters, blouses, shoes and purses. The same is true of plaid and animal prints. (Still Lifes)

This article covers two of the jewel tones, dark red and purple, pencil skirts and animal prints. I chose a variety of items from several sources in a range of prices and functions. Several of the items fit in more than one category. Unless otherwise noted, clothing is machine washable:

1. Dark Red and Purple and the other jewel tones are so saturated and attractive with a variation in shades for everyone:

The first two garments are available at Target or on-line.

Mossimo® Black's Ultrasoft Boyfriend Cardigan comes in Deep Love(red), Plump plum,medium heather grey, cadiz olive, royal teal, zap red, black and green marker. It costs $27.99 and comes in sizes xs-xxl. It is 58% nylon, and 48% rayon jersey. It needs to be dried flat. I never thought I'd like the Boyfriend look. But I like this. It has a nice cut to it. I have some tops by this designer and I love the way they fit. This could be worn with jeans or a jean skirt.

http://www.target.com

Mossimo® Black's Ultrasoft Vee Neck Sweater comes in Plump plum, black, medium heather grey, zap red, deep love(dark red), blue herald/ebony, polar bear(white), blushing bride(pale pink), and moss olive. It 's $17.99 in sizes xs-xxl and is made of 52% nylon and 48% rayon jersey. This item needs to be dried flat. This an elegant sweater that can be dressed up or down with a nice skirt or a pair of jeans. with heels, boots or flats.

Simply Vera Vera Wang's Ribbed Top comes in blue, white,purple, red,green and black. It costs $48.00 and comes sizes xs-xl. It has attractive button accents on the shoulder and is crew-neck. The top is cotton/rayon. This item is available at Kohl's or on-line. This is a very attractive long sleeved top. It has a long and lean look. It would look nice with jeans or a jean skirt with a pair of flats or wedgies.
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/homepage.jsp

2. Pencil Skirts have come a long way from the straight skirts they used to be in the fifties and 60's. There's a lot more variety in shapes and textures. This is one of the most versatile shapes since it can be dressed up or down depending upon the fabric and accessories used:

Norma Kamali's Women's Meg Jersey Skirt is $15.00 and it comes in black and sizes xs-xxl. It is a pull-on style skirt with left seam shirring and a below the knee hem. It's polyester and spandex. This garment's available at Walmart or on-line.This skirt has a different look than the next three skirts. It has a softer more fluid look that would look nice with a simple top in a solid or print with simple heels, peep toe pumps or boots and
a cardigan.

http://www.walmart.com

All three of these skirts are elegant and would look very nice with an embellished or feminine top with peep toed heels, platform heels or animal print heels with a nice jacket.

Mossimo® Black's Trapunto Pencil Skirt comes in grey(subtle plaid) and black and costs $19.99. The grey comes in sizes 2-18 and the black comes in sizes 0-18. This garment is 62% polyester, 34% rayon and 4% spandex. It's above the knee and has a zip and hook back closure. It has a 94% polyester and 6% spandex lining. It also has two front pockets, a back slit and accent stitching. This is available at Target or on-line.

Simply Vera Vera Wang's Ponte Skirt comes in black at the price of $48.00 in sizes xs-xl. The skirt is cotton/spandex with a knee length hem, a back zipper, a wide waistband and a back slit. This item is available at Kohls or on-line.

Gianni Bini's "Mary Ellen" Skirt is $78.00 in sizes 0-12 and comes in black. It's polyester/viscose/spandex and has a high waist with a wide waistband. You can find this item at Dillard's or on-line.

http://www.dillards.com/index.html

3. Animal Prints have become a very creative element in this year's fashion choices:

Miley Cyrus & Max Azria's Juniors Leopard Leggings are $10.00 and come in Formula One(red), Prism Violet, grey and blue in sizes xs-xl. They're polyester/spandex and are hand washable. They're ankle length. (Also dark red/purple category). This garment can be found at Walmart or on-line. The pattern is both subtle and very distinctive. It would be a lot of fun to wear with a long top or tunic with a jacket and little flats.

Women's Mossimo Supply Company's Odell Ballet Flats come in Purple Leopard, Cheetah,black, black patent, zebra, bronze, red, purple, mustard yellow, blue print, tweed,fuchsia, turquoise, patchwork gold, black/ribbons, snake, blue patent and cheetah print. They cost $12.99 and come in sizes 5.5-11. The animal prints are faux suede.(Also dark red/purple category). You can find this item at Target or on-line. These shoes are really cute.
They would make a lot of outfits fun and jazzy, such as a tunic over leggings or an embellished top with a jean skirt or skinny jeans.

MICHAEL Michael Kors' 'Ocelot' Pencil Skirt costs $99.50 and is available in sizes 2-16. It's cotton/spandex has a back slit and a back zip with a knee length hem. It needs to be dry cleaned. The skirt is available at Nordstroms. This is a very attractive skirt. It would pair nicely with a beige/tan or black blouse or sweater with simple heels or boots with a leather jacket or nice, solid colored cardigan.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/?origin=tab-logo

Sources:

http://www.walmart.com

http://www.target.com

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/homepage.jsp

http://www.dillards.com/index.html

http://shop.nordstrom.com/?origin=tab-logo

Still Lifes by Mark Platt, Buy Now, Wear Now(& Later!), People Style Watch, August 2009, pp 96-104 and 108-111

Stacy London, The Best Ruffled Skirt For Your Body, People Style Watch, September, 2009, p, 64

Still Lifes by Mark Platt, The Best of Fall Fashion & Beauty!, People Style Watch September 2009, pp, 121-136

Photographer, Arthur Elgort, What to Wear for the Next Six Months, Glamour August 2009, pp, 124-133

Photographer, Mark Leibowitz, 206 Ways to Dress Chic Now, Glamour September 2009, pp, 109-138

Photographer, Chris Craymer, 8 Ways to be a Smarter (chicer!) Shopper,Glamour October 2009, pp, 117-146

Photographer, Hilary Walsh, Recessionistas, TeenVogue August, 2009, pp, 114-117

Editor, Taylor Tomasi Hill, Shopping Spree, TeenVogue August, pp,118-121

Editor, Jane Keltner, Fall Fashion Top 12, TeenVogue September 2009, pp, 115-152

Blue Crush, TeenVogue October 2009, p, 104