Fall Essentials

Fall Forward

August 14, 2008

Samantha Cabrera’s committed eye takes a look into what you should wear for Fall ’08.

Typically, fall has a sense of gloominess. Gone are flirty sun dresses, now wardrobes are making room for wool suiting, shawls, and boots. This season, fall has a very different feeling with various hues and florals, making the cut for what’s hot. For those of us who live in black, it’s the perfect way to experiment without leaving our comfort zone (after all, what looks better with a plaid pencil skirt?). For those who have the Carrie Bradshaw-look down pat, feel free to mix patterns, colors and texture. Anything goes, so keep your eyes peeled for some serious fun this autumn.

- Wrap up in a cozy cardigan ($48, urbanoutfitters.com) and get more use out of summer’s little dresses when
worn with tights and boots. Neutrals like black, grey and navy are always appreciated, but look for other surprisingly easy-to-wear colors like mustard and rust.

- Fall is dressed up, and there’s no simpler way to do it than with a dress ($425, net-a-porter.com). Look for classic shapes. A nipped waist, slightly puffed sleeves and hemlines that skim the knee are work appropriate and have that understated sense of sexiness that most of us only dream of having.

- Plaid is one of the easiest ways to try out a pattern this fall. Throw a cropped plaid jacket ($24.80,
forever21.com) on over a tank and jeans for the transition season, and go very fashion-forward once the cold weather arrives by wearing a 3/4 sleeve version over a turtleneck with wide-leg pants. The look is definitely tough, so go soft elsewhere.

- Menswear-inspired pieces will take you a long way this season. A high waist pant is essential ($225,
shopbop.com), and details like an extra wide leg and pleats elevate the look. Wear with a chiffon blouse in a delicious fall color like raspberry to add a touch of femininity to your look.

- Printed skirts and dresses in dark floral prints ($69.50, express.com) are making the typically summer-associated motif a favorite for fall and winter. A dark background anchors the frou-frou oversized flowers, and wearing a piece with chunky heels balances the girly factor.

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