By: Esra Erdogan/Columnist
By the end of August, I always look forward to picking up the most coveted magazine of the year: the September issue. If I’m not already suffocating in homework, I make sure to sit down with a cup of coffee and pore through the newest fall fashions.
Fall is my favorite season of the year for fashion. The cooler months mean more layering and more accessories, which inspire me to put together something more dramatic.
There are only so many combinations of shorts, tank tops and sandals you can come up with. By now, I’m practically drooling at the prospect of wearing a sweater for a change.
While I was flipping through the magazines’ pages this year, I took note of the most prevalent trends.
Because no one wants to spend money on things they can wear for only a short period of time, I tried to limit the list to pieces that would not only look great now but can be worn for seasons to come. Here is my take on some of fall’s most wanted items.
Longer Skirts
Put the mini skirts on hold this fall. Longer skirts, from knee to floor length, are popping up everywhere. If you’ve got long legs ,you lucky dog, don’t hesitate to try on the mid-calf or longer lengths in a cotton or jersey material.
These skirts look best on longer legs because the structureless shape will have less to cling to. If you have a more curvaceous figure, try on a wool pencil skirt that hits right above the knee.
The possibilities are endless with this kind of skirt; you can tuck in tanks or blouses, wear a sweater over it or wear it with a classic button down. Don’t forget to put on a thin belt; it will define your waistline.
If your legs aren’t that long and your torso is on the shorter side, like me, try on a chiffon pleated skirt that ends right below your knees. Just make sure to buy the kind with a banded waist because the hidden elastics that are customary on this kind of skirt are never forgiving on the waistline.
Brightly Colored Pants
Menswear style pants in all sorts of colors have definitely caught my eye this fall. Bright colors like fire engine red, emerald green, royal blue and deep orange have been on many a runway.
I’m a die hard fan of skinny jeans, so I was skeptical of the idea of a wider pant leg until I tried them on and realized how comfortable they are. The best thing about a wider pant leg is that you can hide sky high heels under them; they’ll give you the extra height to make you look taller and leaner.
Color blocking is back this season, which makes it very easy to fit this item in with the rest of your closet. Try red trousers with a hot pink tank top and a tight red cardigan or silk trousers in emerald green with a royal blue blouse and gold accessories. If you’re a little more conservative, pairing any of these colors with black, white or camel is always a safe bet.
Animal Prints
Lately leopard, cheetah and snakeskin prints have been inescapable. If you are hesitant to introduce such bold prints into your wardrobe, try them out on shoes or a bag.
Instead of nude or black flats, try a pair of shoes that are leopard print or a snakeskin clutch instead of one that is black, brown or metallic. Because of their natural colors and textures, animal print accessories go with pretty much everything.
If you’re feeling experimental, try out a faux snakeskin skirt in place of a black mini. Just make sure that the material is not too shiny or it could look like a costume. A cheetah or leopard print button-down would look just as chic under a blazer or cardigan as the white classic.
If you’re in love with animal print, save up for something that will last because I guarantee this trend will be back again.
The 1970s
Clothing influenced by the 1970s infiltrated the runways in many fall 2011 collections. Pant legs are wider, patterns are funkier and suede is just groovy. Although I wouldn’t recommend buying a maroon faux fur jacket for South Florida’s tame winters, there are ways to incorporate the 1970s style into your wardrobe.
Skinny corduroy pants in golden browns, deep reds and hunter greens can be worn with knits all throughout the fall season.
One item I’ve been looking for in particular is a suede skirt in maroon or black. Something about the ruddy texture of the material is very dynamic; it goes well with denim, silk and other fabrics. Suede heels in the colors of the 1970s palette are also pretty desirable.
Ladylike mid-height heels have been appearing instead of the five inches ones that have been dominant for the past few seasons.
You can pair them with so many of the trends of the season and you will be able to transition them into seasons to come. Trust me, your feet will thank you.
Before buying any trendy items for yourself, try to picture them in your current wardrobe. If the pieces fit well together, you’re more likely to wear them.
You can look to editorials in magazines or fashion blogs for inspiration; chances are you already own a few pieces that would allow you to recreate some of the season’s looks by incorporating just a few trendy items.
Haute Topic is a weekly fashion column. Look for it every Wednesday this Fall.
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