W
e all have a friend who always seems to be
just ahead of the curve each season with her
wardrobe.
No matter the situation, she always seems to
have predicted the right outfit to put together
for everything from a business presentation to an informal
cocktail with friends. She seems to have an eerie prescience
about what will be “in” each season and finds key pieces to
update her wardrobe efficiently.
She seems to be effortlessly ahead of every trend — but don’t
let her fool you. It takes work, patience and even some research
to keep a wardrobe looking fresh each season.
If you’re absolutely ready to be “that friend,” keep your eye on
big city runways and look for trends that span across designers
— then buy no-nonsense pieces to update your look and make
the best of what’s already in your closet.
Here are some First Coast fall fashion trends (try saying that
five times fast) that will have you updating your closet and piecing together outfits like a pro as you transition from summer to
autumn.
UNDERSTATED OUTFITS
WITH NEON DETAILS
We saw tons of neon throughout the summer with the color
blocking trend. Pink, green, orange and yellow neons showed
up in accessories like belts and clutches as well as bold accents
in patterns — and even basics like neon tees and denim.
The neon trend will still be around this fall, but to keep it
looking sophisticated and fashion-forward rather than looking
like a holdover from your summer wardrobe, choose pieces
carefully to accent your look rather than overwhelm it. One
easy rule of thumb is to add a neon accessory — such as a
solid belt or scarf — to an otherwise neutral outfit to avoid
overwhelming this bold trend.
COLOR PALETTE: BOLD BLUES,
“OXBLOOD” AND WHITES
Basics on the fall color palette are predictable: brown, black,
gold and deep orange colors reflect the hues of nature in
autumn and are therefore repeated every time the season rolls
around. The accent colors, however, are what tend to make each
fashion year different. This year’s fall runways saw three big
trends: bright blues, deep burgundies and white.
For the fall blue, think less neon and more true blue. Electric blue was hot this summer but will look tired by the time
November rolls around. Look for true blues that are slightly
brighter than a royal blue. Bright blue pieces can be paired with
neutrals, whites and even navy blue to ease your wardrobe’s
transition from summer to fall.
Deep burgundy — dubbed “oxblood” by Harper’s Bazaar —
was also a widely used color on the fall runway. Many designers produced head-to-toe collections utilizing the color. Unlike
bright blue, oxblood is dark enough to be flattering on a variety
of skin tones and doesn’t overwhelm an outfit when used heavily in more than one piece. To get the best bang for your buck,
seek out an oxblood coat or dress this season to capitalize on
this understated trend without adding too many different separates to your wardrobe.
Finally, white is back in a big way so forget what you know
about wearing this neutral after Labor Day. While you may want
to go ahead and pack away any white shoes and denim you
have lurking in your closet for the next season, look for whites
that will complement the rest of your fall wardrobe. True white
sweaters, blazers and jackets will be big this season. For an edgy
look, consider mixing true whites with off whites, an editorialized combination that many designers capitalized on this fall.
THROWBACKS: KEEPING VINTAGE
SOPHISTICATED
If you’re feeling daring, look to past decades for inspiration.
Old Hollywood glamor and ’70s styles will make a comeback
this season, but make sure you choose pieces wisely to avoid
looking like you’re wearing a costume.
Vintage furs (that is, furs from past decades that have been
repurposed and sometimes dyed) will make a comeback this
year but a fur coat or stole can be extreme overkill in Florida’s
mild seasons. If the fur trend interests you, look for older furs
that have been repurposed into clutches or faux-fur accessories.
Cruelty is never in style, so if you’re purchasing a fur, make sure
you know its history.
Other details like fancy hats and feminine handbags in bright
colors will surely make a splash this season. To keep it timeless,
consider taking your vintage finds to be tailored and modernized.
BOLD PATTERNS:
GET BUSY )A