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Is
the wind picking up in your neck of the woods? Has the rain been
leaving you at a loss for what to wear? Do your favorite sundress
and sandals not seem to be giving you enough coverage these days?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it's probably
time to start thinking about dressing for fall.
We all hate to see summer pass, and fall is never quite as simple
as the season that precedes it, when your bare legs and some toenail
polish are, perhaps, your best accessories. But look on the bright
side. Think about giving up your tired flip-flops for a brand
new pair of boots. Think about rich, dark colors like red, orange,
burgundy, olive, gold and chocolate. Think warm sweaters and sharp
jackets that keep out the cold and rain. The fashions for this
autumn are especially crisp, and you'll probably have a ball updating
your wardrobe for the chill in the air.
Take Stock of Your Summer Clothes
Before the leaves actually start turning, or if you live in a
place where there isn't much of a temperature change in the fall,
you'll probably want to take stock of your summer clothes and
pick out a few things that you can wear on warmer fall days. One
of the biggest mistakes you can make at the change of seasons
is to give up on items that really work for you. Short-sleeved
dresses and tops in dark or neutral colors as well as slacks in
lightweight fabrics can usually be worn through most of autumn.
Many designer dresses for this fall, in fact, are summer dresses
in terms of cut, sleeve length and fabric. In other words, bare
arms, silk and layers of sheer fabrics are still in vogue, especially
when it comes to dressier clothes. Remember, however, that the
look for autumn is generally more tailored than that for summer,
so things that are too loose and billowy probably won't work anymore.
One way to make a warm-weather garment look more seasonal is to
wear it with a less summery pair of shoes or boots. You could
also try topping a summer outfit with a complementary sweater.
Some of the newest looks in sweaters are slightly oversized and
knit loosely with ultrathick yarn. Try one with a zippered front;
it doubles as a jacket in dry weather. Scarves are another easy
way to warm up an otherwise unseasonable ensemble. While most
of us are a little tired of the plain pashmina, many designers
are showing the wrap in a variety of new fabrics and patterns.
Large scarves are also being embellished with embroidery and trim
- something you might try doing yourself. In addition to keeping
you warm on a cool fall evening, a wrap is a great way to add
femininity to an otherwise strict, professional look.
New and Improved Trench Coats
One of the key items that you probably will want to add to your
wardrobe this season is a raincoat. In addition to the fact that
a perfectly warm, sunny morning can wind up drenching you by afternoon,
another good reason to buy a new raincoat is that some of the
hottest styles from the fall ready-to-wear collections in New
York, Paris and Milan were trench coats. Yes, those belted beauties
from the 60s and 70s are back, and the new and improved versions
are made in high-tech waterproof fabrics. Most of them fall just
below the knee - in keeping with the most popular hemline for
this fall's skirts - or shorter, which is perfect with pants.
Fortunately, trench coats are flattering to almost every figure.
Try one on in a basic wear-with-everything black or tan. Or if
you're feeling a little more daring, try a funkier one in olive
green, red or-take a deep breath - plaid.
Suits Designed to Show Off
Another look that's made a big comeback this fall is the suit.
Even if you are one of the many women who feels that she doesn't
look her best in a suit, you'll want to take a look at this season's
styles. Gone are the days of the masculine, boxy-cut suit. Today's
suits are more generous, and they are designed to show off rather
than disguise a curvy, feminine figure. Suit jackets for this
season range from belted mini-trenches to much shorter, sleeker
styles. Instead of having collars or lapels, some of the new jackets
have rounded necklines that look great with a strand of pearls
or a scarf. While the favored skirt length - the just-below-the-knee
look - isn't very flattering on most legs, it sure beats the micro-mini.
And if you try it on with a pair of knee-high boots, you just
might like what you see. If you don't, however, this fall's pants
are a great deal more flattering. They are slightly fitted through
the hip and long, so put away those pedal-pushers you've been
wearing all summer.
While you'll probably be wearing suits to work all winter long,
for a cool, fresh fall look, you might try wearing one with a
simple knit top or a blouse from your summer collection. Remember
that mixing colors and patterns is one of the best ways to show
off your individual style, so have fun mixing bolds with classics.
Some of the best color combinations from the runways this year
were black with fiery red-orange, olive green and burgundy, and
dark brown with white. If you really want to liven up your wardrobe,
try one of this season's suits in a classic plaid or hound's tooth
pattern. They look great with simple white or beige tops.
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Return
of "Real Shoes"
One
of the most welcome changes in style this fall is the return of
real shoes and socks. Last year, fashion magazines showed models
wearing slinky, high-heeled sandals without hose throughout the
entire fall and winter seasons. For those of us who spend any
amount of time outdoors, the trend was a bust, and we went running
back indoors for something warmer. This year fashion has deferred
to the real woman and brought hosiery back to life. While some
of the season's boldly-patterned styles like leopard prints and
argyles will make even the most slender legs look plump, there
are lots of more-slimming colors and patterns to chose from. Try
spicing up a very simple ensemble with a pair of fishnet stockings
or some warm ribbed tights. And while high heels, and especially
sling-backs, are still in style, the rubber-soled loafers and
flats that made their debut last year have also returned. The
knee-high boot, too, is back, but this year it comes in a better
selection of colors and textures. Check out the new suedes and
alligator skins in brown, black, burgundy and tan.
If the mercury is still rising where you live and the thought
of fall fashion is making you sweat, relax! Dressing for fall
isn't so bad if you think about it piece by piece and incorporate
what you've already got with what you want. Finding new, unique
combinations by experimenting with the new and the old is, of
course, the only way to look like you really know about fashion.
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