Fall Fashion is all about expressing yourself through graphic tees, oversized accessories, opulent colors, rich textures and an attitude to match. It's time once again to have fun with fashion. Here's a list of the most wearable fall trends and how to incorporate them into your wardrobe.
If you were smart enough to invest in leather last fall then you're in luck. It's back in a big way this season and there are so many fun ways to wear it. Zara gave leather a nod by using it to create a stylish peplum ruffle on a lace dress (pictured above, left) while other retailers went back to the basics with moto style jackets and chic pencil skirts. While traveling abroad we spotted leather making appearances in little ways, piping on a woven shirt, necklines with leather trim, leather earrings, etc. Leather is such a versatile way to add texture to your wardrobe and is a great way to give easy basics an updated edge.
Breathe new life into summer florals by pairing them with fall favorites like dark denim, black leggings, high heeled boots and oversized sweaters. Top Shop has great assortment of fall floral pieces including the floral blazer (pictured above, center) and the skinny floral crop (pictured above, right). This trend is all about two of my favorite things, fun and romance. Pair a floral blouse with dark denim or wear the trend by layering a sheer floral tank with a sweater and topping it off with a leather jacket.
Leopard is one of my favorite fall trends. It looks fresh when paired with this season's bold reds, olive greens and royal blues. Pair leopard with leather for a rock and roll vibe, keep it utilitarian by pairing with an army jacket, or glam it up by adding pearls and a pair of classic trousers. You can also play with this trend in a small way with leopard print shoes, bags and accessories.
Contrary to popular belief the peplum is ultra flattering on a wide variety of shapes and sizes. For fall the peplum has evolved and is now taking shape in the form of flirty tops, easy tanks and even in the accessories world as a leather belt (as seen at H&M). Play with proportions by pairing a peplum top with skinny jeans or pairing a peplum skirt with a fitted top. I also really love the Zara rendition (pictured above, right) mixing the peplum with two more fall fashion tends, lace AND leather. Love.
The collar is everywhere for fall. Some of the fashion mags are calling the collar a "statement necklace" to ease people into the trend but let's be clear the collar is about more than just a simple necklace. In London we saw the collar on just about everything from dresses, to sweaters to tops. Even Heidi Klum named the collar as one of the top 10 trends for fall. It's surprisingly easy to wear and can really update basic you already own including sweaters, casual dresses, even t-shirts.
The High/Low Silhouette is new for me this season and it's one of those trends that anyone can wear. This trend is the perfect compromise between a maxi skirt and a knee length dress and looks great with high heels, ankle boots and even flat sandals. For Fall '12 the high/low silhouette has evolved into sheer skirts and wrap front dresses (as pictured above). What I love most about this trend is that you can style it very casually (t-shirt, sandals, belt) or dress it up for date night with high heels and a silk tank.
Blazers have come back around to give fall fashion a little bit of structure. The best thing about this key item is that a great blazer can instantly make any outfit look polished and pulled together. When I'm crunched for time and need an easy outfit for a night out I love pairing a great fitting blazer with a stylish dress and adding heels and a clutch. Blazers look great when paired with denim, trousers or even this season's slew of skirts. Think of the blazer as the Fall '12 alternative to the cardigan sweater except so much more chic.
Military chic is always a relevant trend if you live in Seattle but this season it's a legitimate top trend for fashion retailers and celebrity stylists. Army jackets, camo print, Doc Marten boots, leather, cargo pants and studs are all part of this Fall trend. Key colors for going military chic include olive green, khaki, navy and even using red as a pop color. This trend is great for cold fall days when you want to be comfortable, covered up (think: cinched waist army jacket paired with a knit scarf and jeans) but still stylish.
Hot on the tail of the military chic trend is the Dark Romance Rock Goddess. This trend is all about graphic tees, ripped skinny jeans, studded biker boots, motorcycle jackets, glitter leggings, sequins, denim shorts and heavy embellishment. To me this trend is all about rock goddess meets punk princess. While traveling in London we saw this trend played out to every extreme. Ripped tees, overly distressed denim, super embellished vests and structured leather shorts. The easiest way to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe is with a rock & roll inspired graphic tee paired with your "maybe I should think about throwing these out" jeans.
There's a ton of crossover between the trends this fall so feel free to mix and match and do what feels right and suits your mood. Fashion is all about having fun, so remind yourself of that next time you're standing in your closet stressing out over what to wear.
Happy Shopping!
Style Notes: Fall '12 Fashion
Reviewed by kroyo
Published :
Rating : 4.5
Published :
Rating : 4.5
