On Sept. 22, fall will officially be here. Will you be ready?
Fall conjures up images of chic women in snuggly sweaters, sassy ankle boots and long stovepipe jeans. However, this year's fashion trends call for only a pinch of those standards and instead rely on a good dose of the dramatic.
Prepare to see plenty of plaid (that trend is on its way out but college students haven't gotten the memo yet); metallic hues of blue, black and silver; an emphasis on feminine draping; structured shoulders emulating the 80s and ornamental earthy jewelry. So whip out those credit cards and head to the University Park Mall stores. Time is running out to turn that wardrobe from drab to fab!
Trend 1: Take it back to those Country Days
This fall, fashion magazines might have mentioned that the country look is in, but that doesn't mean you should bum back to the rural frock styles reminiscent of a few years ago. Instead mix earthy tones and do as InStyle says by investing in a thin brown leather belt to cinch sweaters, vests, etc. to emphasis a feminine shape. Try a long off-white knit turtleneck complimented with a thin belt at the waist, skinny jeans and brown leather ankle boots for a day of class. Match this with long loose waves and statement earrings that peek out under your hair, and you'll look enviably put-together.
Stores to visit: Forever 21 (check out their Heritage 1981 line for pieces that compliment this look) or Ann Taylor Loft for staple pieces.
Trend 2: Sparkling like Metallic-a
Both Balenciaga and Versace emphasized swirls of magical metallic dazzle in their Fall 2009 fashion lines. Deep blues, blacks and grays with shimmering silver overtones (think Kate Winslet's 2009 Yves Saint Laurent gown at the Oscars) are in this season. Feel free to combine this look with another of fall's trends, ladylike draping, for a double whammy in the fashion world. This look can easily go from day to night depending at what level you want to set the volume. Make sure not to overdo it because, like a Metallica song played at extremely loud decibels, too much may damage the senses.
Store to Visit: See Charlotte Russe's belted cowl neck top in charcoal for $21.99
Trend 3: Salute that Military Look
March down South Quad in a tailored military cropped jacket and you'll have the ROTC boys loving a woman in uniform. Don't shy away from this ever-present trend for fear of looking too masculine because plenty of cute form-fitting options exist. Contrast a feminine skirt with a tailored blazer and the balance will fall right in line.
Store to Visit: See Charlotte Russe's twill military blazer for $36.99 or Coach's poppy jacket for $398.00
Trend 4: Work those Legs
Alicia Keys brought this look center-stage during her Sunday night MTV VMA performance. Audiences might have become distracted when Kanye's career (R.I.P.) got smashed like Serena Williams's racket, but hopefully they still managed to catch a glimpse of one of fall's most fabulous and embraceable looks. It's taken a while to transition from no leggings to black leggings to something more exciting, but the wait is over. Summon the sparkles, dramatic patterns and eye-catching glory that consume this year's legwear. Spice up a weekend outfit of all black with a touch of color or lace and you'll be rocking a stage of your own.
Store to visit: Forever 21 for awesome tights ranging from $3.50-$6.80
