Fashion Forum

Fall / Winter 2009

TRENDS

The Romantic: Feminine, ruffled blouses, lace trimmings, lace shoes and handbags, bows, lacy bib necklaces with beading and ribbons, pearls and brooches.

The Classicist/City Girl: Fitted coats, suits, day dresses, sheaths, slim skirts, vests, belted jackets and cardigans, matching coats and dresses, pearls, simple stud earrings, tank watches, structured handbags, trench coats. Think Michelle Obama.

Country: Earth tones and rich tartan plaids, tweeds, quilted jackets, riding boots, suede and shearling boots, plaid flannel shirts.

Biker Chic: Cropped leather jackets with geometric zipper ornamentation, black, spiky, high-heeled ankle boots, multi-chain or chain dripping necklaces.

Wild Thing: Fur vests, animal print anything - coats, shoes, bags, etc. Think Gwen Stefani.

The Rock Star: Fringe, leather jackets, military-like jackets with ornate scrollwork, buttons, etc. Think Michael Jackson.

Drapey: Sophisticated jersey, satin and wool blend fabrics that are slouchy, draped, languid. A fitted bottom will balance the volume or vice versa.

The Modern Bohemian: Printed tops, dresses, fur vests, mongolian lamb on suede vests, feathers, embroidery. Far East inspired fabrics with metallic threads or ornamentation. Think Nicole Ritchie.

Minimalist: Also see "The Classicist" above: Sleek dresses, minimal jewelry - one bold, modern necklace or cuff. Think Jennifer Aniston or Victoria Beckham.

New Prep: Argyle, loafer pumps, pearls, peacoats. Think Tommy Hilfiger

Miscellaneous: It's all about the legs this season! Show them off with great boots, leggings and tights. Fabrics have sparkle and shine woven into dark colors. Bright neon Princess-style coats and cardigan coats are also big. Mix it up and have fun with fashion!

SHOE STYLES

Boots: Fall is always about the boots!

• Shoe boots
• High-heeled biker boots
• Over-the-knee boots
• Ankle boots, flat and high heeled
• Ankle boots with revealing peep toes and cutouts (wear them with tights)
• Riding/Equestrian flat boots
• Slouchy-topped flat and high-heeled boots
• "Pocahontas" fringed boots
• Cuffed boots
• Scrunch boots
• Wedge boots
• Rain boots (Wellies) - waterproof!

Oxfords/Brogues: Menswear-inspired wing-tip lace ups both flat and high heels

Pumps:

• With higher, stockier heels
• Platforms
• Peep toes
• T-straps and peep toe T-straps
• Ankle straps
• Loafer pumps

Flats:

• Super-flat flats with the heels built up inside (invisible)
• Jeweled flats
• Pastel flats
• Small wedge flats
• Ballerinas

Platforms: Both inside (invisible) and outside. For dress and everyday, especially peep-toed.

Penny Loafers:

Wedges: Especially staked (wooden look) wedges

Sandals: Red, strappy sandals(worn with dark tights)

Dressy:

• Lace, satin and velvet fabric pumps and sandals
• Ruffled-vamp pumps and sandals

COLORS

• Plums, purples
• Gray, pale silver through charcoal, anthracite and taupey-gray
• Red (especially good as a pop of color for a neutral outfit)
• Metallics: All metals including gold, silver, bronze, hematite, copper, rose gold and mercury.

HEELS

• Cone-shaped, high and low
• Chunkier, column-like
• Dark brown or black stacked (wooden)

TOES

• Peep-toes (Wear them with tights!)
• Round
• Square
• Pointy

SOLES

• Lug soles/tractor bottoms are making a comeback - boots and shoes

FABRICS

• Suede
• Rustic or tumbled/distressed leather
• Patent leather (seasonless) in all colors
• Animal prints: Leopard, croc-embossed, snake-embossed prints
• Animal print patent leather
• Animal print calf ("pony") hair
• Tweed
• Wool- and silk-blend jersey
• Satin and satin-blend jersey
• Mixed Media: snakeskin with metallics, patent with croco., patent with suede
• Lace
• Fur and faux fur

DETAILS/HARDWARE

• Fringe
• Bows
• Zippers (ie. decoration, not necessarily function)
• Studs especially bronze pyramid-like studs
• Ruffles
• Lace
• Feathers
• Jewels
• Quilting
• Metallic sparkle and shine woven into dark fabrics

ACCESSORIES:
This is the season that accessories make a STATEMENT!

• Opaque tights in all colors but especially striped and patterned tights
• Clutches
• Slouchy hobos
• Bright colored leather gloves
• Studded handbags
• Ladylike, structured handbags and totes (like Princess Grace's Hermes Birkin bag)
• Rosette bags (Valentino inspired)
• Jewel- and primary-colored leather gloves
• Eternity scarves
• Fringe scarves
• Ruffled scarves
• Tartan shoes, bags, scarves
• Bold belts (over sweaters, jackets)
• Skinny belts
• Studded belts
• Woven belts
• Menswear hats: fedora, English felted wool trilby
• Horn-rimmed, geek glasses
• Grey accessories
• Hair accessories - either "girly" with jewels, feathers and bows or "biker" with studs, spikes, headbands with zippers

JEWELRY

• Anything floral!
• Bold statement necklaces and collars
• Lacy collars, bib necklaces
• Chunky and long, mulit-layered chains
• Layered chain and bead long necklaces (including pearls)
• Black and matte chains
• "Dripping" chains
• Chunky glass bead bracelets and cuffs
• Chunky bangles - resin, buffalo horn, titanium, glass, lacquer, ebony, enamel and other exotic materials.
• Embellished, ornate bangles and cuffs
• Brooches worn in multiples
• Rose gold
• Leather metallic-studded cuffs
• Bright jewel tone and candy-colored gems
• Big, bold watch faces
• Tank style watches (like Cartier)
• Sunburst-motif jewelry (a Coco Chanel trademark) - especially brooches

COSMETICS

• Luminous peach, pink and rosy blush
• Pink lipsticks
• Red lips/softer eye
• Smoky eye/neutral lip
• Matte lips
• Red nail polish
• Lilac, violets, magenta, plum-colored nail polish (see Chanel's deep plum polish)
• Metallic-colored nail polish (like gunmetal)
• Deep green polish and olive green (see Chanel)
• Matte nail polish