Fall Fashion Trends for Women

The women's ready-to-wear clothes that appeared at the recent Paris/Milan Fall '06-'07 runway shows were an eclectic mix. Incredibly light and airy fabrics alongside furs; solids, leopards, plaids, and snakeskins; neutrals, reds, blues, golds, and metallics; and a touch of androgyny to complement the feminine. Snakeskin bags, leopard prints, 80's leggings, tights, bell-shaped coats, and fur were among the fall fashion trends for women spotted on the runway.

Chloe showed sophisticated office styles; Prada favored funky fashions in fur and animal prints; Botega Venetta was about classic looks: plaid skirts with cardigans and suits with matching snakeskin bags. The Preen show was an homage to winter: metallic silvers, grays, and steel blues; Gucci was glamour with an edge: metallic whites, heavily tailored masculine pantsuits; and Chanel played with hemlines of all lengths.

Fashion Flashbacks
Bell-Shaped Coats (Chloe, Botega Venetta)
80's Leggings

Colors
Black
Black and White
Black and Tan
Metallics (especially white, steel blue, and gray)
Gray
Red
Gold (lots of gold detailing will be seen on clothing and shoes)

Prints
Leopard
Snakeskin
Plaid
Stripes

Accessories
Snakeskin Bags (Botega Venetta)
Boots (Prada, Anna Sui)
Plaid Bags (Botega Venetta)
Big Bags-totes (Chloe)
Fur Hats and Bags (Prada)
Leopard Print Bags (Prada)
Coin Purses (Botega Venetta)
Cashmere/Silk Scarves (Botega Venetta)
Large Belts (Fendi)
Thin Belts (Sinha-Stanic)
Tights-especially in black and navy (Chloe, Ann Sui)
Chunky, Round Toed Mary Jane Style Heels and Flats (Prada, Anna Sui)
Gold Jewel/Stud Detailing on Shoes (Prada)

Clothes
Bell-Shaped Coats (Chloe)
Bell-Shaped Sheaths and Jumpers (Chloe, Botega Venetta)
Plaid Skirts (Anna Sui, Botega Venetta)
Shirtdresses (Chanel)
White Button Down Shirts (Chloe)
Mid-Thigh Length Trench, Pea, and Bell-Shaped Coats (Chloe, Sinha-Stanic, Botega Venetta)
Stretchy Dresses and Skirts (Sinha-Stanic)
Waist-Length Coats and Blazers (Sinha-Stanic)
Pant Suits (Gucci, Prada)
Belted Suit Jackets (Botega Venetta)
Coats with Butterfly Collars and Fur Cuffs and Collars (Botega Venetta, Sinha-Stanic)

Fabrics
Knits
Soft Fabrics -Jersey, Cashmere, Silk, Chiffon

On the whole, fall will be about light tailoring, layers, prints, and textures. Dresses and coats are for the most part without much shape, usually belled or flared and very short. Fabrics range from heavy knits and wools to silks and chiffons but the winner for fall is fur. Many design houses have shown entire outfits in all one color (most often black), so don't be afraid to be monochromatic with your fall/winter ensembles. For an outfit with more color and pizzazz, consider the biggest patterns-snakeskin, leopard, and plaid.

The fun comes in accessorizing-collars are getting their time in the sun with furry, large, small, high, and low ones adorning dresses, coats, and shirts of all kinds. Belts for fall and winter should be worn super skinny or very wide and whenever you can pair a belt with a suit jacket or blazer because the Diane Keaton thing is popular now. And who would want to leave the house in the cold months of the year without fall and winter's most prized accessory-tights (and leggings). Though black and navy are the colors of choice, some designers are playing around with outrageous shades and patterns (Anna Sui on Style.com). For shoes, it seems that there are only two ways to go if you want to be fashionable this coming season-boots (you can't go wrong with snakeskin in fall) and round toed, ankle strap flats and heels; you know, the mary jane look. And to carry with that fabulously layered outfit-a large bag or very small coin purse in...fur, snakeskin, or plaid of course.

If you want some slightly different looks-a bit more girly, look to Galliano and Pucci. They are each playing with light, sheer fabrics in feminine prints. Lots of skirts and dresses that play up a woman's figure.

This fall is about color, flare, and drama; so whatever you decide to wear - have fun with it and put a swagger in your step.