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They're
ba-aack! No longer the province of the white collar crowd, suits
for every taste are dressing up the fall fashion landscape.
 Blame
it on dress down Friday. In recent seasons, the fashion pendulum
had swung so far over to the casual side of the style spectrum
that wearing anything remotely buttoned up made you look like
you were going on a job interview. But, like a phoenix rising
from the sartorial ashes, the suit has returned this season in
a big way. This time around, the look is a lot more feminine that
the corporate climber styles (linebacker shoulder pads, bow-tie
blouses) of the '80s.
Even better: there's such a variety and abundance of fabrics and
shapes that you have lots of leeway to tailor the suit look to
your lifestyle.
Following is a shopper's guide to what works now:
SHAPE:
The newest shape in stores is the hip length jacket that is either
belted or nipped in the waist, paired with either a matching to-the-knee
skirt or trim, tailored pants. Jackets come either lapelled or
collarless and either way works - it all depends on how you work
it. The most important decision you can make when choosing a suit
is finding a flattering cut, which means you must, yes, you MUST,
try it on before you buy. It's the same basic principal men use
when they buy their suits: the right tailoring is the only way
to ensure a good fit.
Another fit hint: When it comes to fit, nothing looks worse
than sloppy shoulders. Shoulder pads determine how well a jacket
will fall on the body. If they're too broad or bulky, the entire
outfit looks out of proportion. For a perfect fit, the edge of
the shoulder pad should meet the edge of your shoulder blade precisely.
COLOR:
There are no hard and fast rules about what hues to choose. This
season, anything goes. The freshest shades are in the wine family,
but deep plums, forest greens and rich reds are also making news.
Most of the suits you'll be seeing are matched tone on tone, but
you can also mix it up with several shade variations of the same
color. If you're not the bright color type, opt for a subdued
hue in the gray or brown family, dressed up with the precious
metals- bronze, gold, copper, and silver tones also in style this
season.
TEXTURE:
Fashion is finally catching on to what those natty English professors
knew all along: nothing suits fall dressing better than tweed.
You'll find skirted suits galore in nubby tweeds, plaids and herringbones.
One caveat: the thicker the texture, the heavier it will make
you look, so it's best to stick to shapes that don't have a lot
of bells and whistles. Smaller patterns, in general, are more
flattering to every body than larger ones, but don't allow this
to limit you. With the right attitude, you can carry off just
about anything.
LOTS
OF LUXE: Unless you're the original plain Jane, you'll
want to spice up your suit look with some stylish accessories.
For fall, there's a dazzling array of choices, from handbags to
heels. Number one on everyone's must-have list: something crocodile,
real or faux. Stock up on croc and mock croc accessories in bowling-style
handbags, pointy-toe shoes, and skinny belts. Other luxe additions
to look for include fuzzy collars and fur trims, rhinestone belts
and jewel tone earrings and bracelets, multi-strand pearl necklaces
and rich, patterned legwear, from fishnets to colored tights.
Even with all of the newness in suit choices, there are still
some general rules when choosing a suit that never go out of style:
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Go
for quality. Invest in the best and you'll have a suit
look that will take you through several seasons of wear. |
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Mix
and match. Don't be afraid to wear your suit pieces as
separates that you can pair with what you already have in
your closet to stretch your wardrobe even further. |
| • |
Versatility is king. Opt for a suit that you can
wear from day into evening and you'll cut your wardrobe needs
in half. The switch from a blouse to a camisole or tank top
and change of jewelry are all you need to go from office to
after hours. |
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Seek
out professionals. It's amazing what a few alterations
can do for the overall fit and your overall appearance. Why
do you think men spend so much time running to the tailor?
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The
more feminized suits of fall guarantee a look that is polished
and appropriate for any and every occasion. So go ahead - suit
up!
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Vanessa
Bush has covered the beauty and fashion scene for a host of
magazines including Glamour and Honey, and is currently an editor
at Essence. Vanessa is a frequent contributor to BeautyWalk. She
is the co-author, with supermodel Tyra Banks, of Tyra's
Beauty Inside & Out. Vanessa and her family make their home in
New Jersey.
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