Set Autumn Ablaze

While perusing some street fashion pics from fashion week in New York and London (I'll attend both eventually), I was inspired and pretty much awe struck by every one of the looks I saw on celebrities, bloggers, and the soon to be discovereds. It's so easy to get overwhelmed this time of year with all the "I can't live without this" purchases that must/have to/need to be made. However, I believe that the right jacket, or two or four, can take you into an echelon of fall style that will have The Sartorialist himself knocking on your door to take your picture. You'll remember my post on spring jackets, but alas, it is a new season and a time for new post on my favorite item. You might ask, "Does this mean that my jean, utility, and leather jackets should go into hiding?" Au contraire my dear readers, these pieces are just as clutch in these months as they were in March. I would simply suggest transitioning the items you wear under those same jackets. This is your warning that the gauzy knits, eyelet, and tropical floral patterns should be put away. 

The first type on my rant is the colored blazer.

Give your black blazer a rest. I was amazed by the versatility of this shade of mustard when I bought it in a wool mini skirt last fall. It pairs well with black, brown, gray, and every other bright color too - the best pairing is purple...so regal.

Zara Wing-Collared Blazer $99

The second type is the tweed motorcycle jacket.

The juxtaposition of leather and tweed is simply perfect. How great this will look with and oversize blouse, skinny jeans/leggings, and boots, or a shift and pumps? The word you're looking for is amazing. If you're dressed like a rock star, the tweed will give it some ladylike poise, but if you're dressed like a lady, the leather will give you a rock star edge. The best of both worlds.

The Limited Quilt-trimmed Tweed Jacket $148

The third type is the velvet blazer.

Oh, the texture - you'll be feeling yourself up all day...ha! Chambray, plaid, leather, stripes, silk, cotton poplin...it all works with this lush fabric. Do not consider this an advert for wearing those Juicy track suits (sigh)...for the love of all that's holy...

Free People Slouchy Velvet Blazer $168

The fourth, and final type is the tuxedo jacket.

This style makes the timeless combo of black & white super easy. It's minimalism at its finest, so keep it that way by pairing it with, you guessed it...black (in varying textures). Maybe a bright pump or clutch, but only add one color at most. Since almost everyone has seen that sequin, lace, or metallic party dress at the yearly holiday event, consider this as a more than appropriate option come November.

Victoria's Secret Long Tuxedo Blazer $148

And schniztel with noodles...

Loafers are the new "it" flat. Forget your ballerina skimmers and invest in a retro menswear staple. A brief history lesson - the Norwegians were producing leisure slippers of the moccasin style in the 1930s and began exporting them to the rest of Europe, where they were taken up by visiting Americans, and championed by the American Esquire magazine. Some photographs included with the Esquire feature were of Norwegian farmers in a cattle loafing area...hence the name - betcha didn't know that! This style is a natural progression from the Sperrys and the Tom's that were the natural throw on all summer when flip flops just wouldn't do. Since I haven't bought my own yet (I stress the "yet" part), I will let the brilliant beauties from some of my favorite blogs show you how it's done.

B.Jones Style

Cheetah is the New Black

Atlantic-Pacific

See Jane

 As you can see, the loafer is incredibly versatile. It can be worn with full skirts, cropped trousers, or straight and rolled jeans. Extra style points if you incorporate textures and add ons such as leopard, snakeskin, studs, suede,  tassels, and maybe the occasional penny.

Pick your own style on Zappos and give your knee high flat boots a bit longer in the closet. C'mon...you know those will get plenty of use once the snow sets in...that is, until these can come out and play again in March!

Lusts & Musts on a Budget

Whilst shopping for the perfect add ons to take my fall looks from 2010 to 2011, I thought, "Why not share these great finds?" You're welcome.

Vintage pendant necklace
...to inject a 70s chic to your wide-leg jeans, platform boots, turtlenecks, and fur vests.

All available at Forever 21 for under $15

 

 

 Wide brim wool hat
...so much more chic than a baseball or newsboy cap for bad hair days.

Target Felt Panama Hat

Old Navy Floppy Felt Hat

 Choker necklace
...to be worn under the collar of a buttoned up blouse.

 All available at Forever 21 for under $15

 

Socks
...extend the life of your cage or platform sandals past the summer or add some additional color and depth to ankle boots.

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Socks

Hue Knee High Socks

Ladylike Frame Handbags
...hook your arm through the top handle and you'll immediately feel like Victoria Beckham carrying a Hermes Birkin bag.
All available on ASOS for under $100

Greenish Gray Nails
...one of these on your fingers and black on your toes is a match made in Ulta heaven.

Lace-up booties
...to wear with shorts, dresses, leggings, cuffed boyfriend jeans, skinny cargos, and, well...just about everything that you'll be wearing until it snows.

Blowfish Vance

Coconuts by Matisse Gretchen

Me Too Odelia $109

MIA Aubry $69

Layer Cake

Layered clothing. The concept can be elusive and frustrating but is absolutely necessary in these in between seasons.  There may be a touch of chill in the air, but that doesn't mean that you're only options are to wear a button down with trousers or a v-neck sweater with a pencil skirt under a wool coat to work in the morning. Don't get me wrong, I love outerwear as much as the next person; however, it's too early in the season to retire all the summer pieces without challenging yourself by paring them with some fall textures or even considering wearing multiple fall textures together.  I used to wear a size large boy's Hanes t-shirt underneath everything in high school. I do not consider this layering...nor do I consider wearing a camisole tank top thingy under everything layering. Neither should you. Taking the advice from this post, will give you some, what I like to call, fashion balls. Yes, I'm trademarking that term.

Wearing garments in layers can be used to create a variety of outfits and mix colors to add a comfortable chicness to your every day attire. The items that you will most commonly see when dressing in layers are thin, so as to never appear bulky when worn one on top of the other...and another and another. 

1. You need to have a starting point. A dress is perfect. Since we are transitioning from summer, it may be one that you wore on it's own when it was 90 degrees out in cotton or something a little flowy. 

2. Next, wear a long sleeved tee underneath it, yes, underneath in either stripes or solid, depending on what color or print the dress is. 

3. Then, put on a color coordinating cardigan in cotton or lightweight wool. 

4. Now, throw on a scarf and belt your waist. You need to keep your frame in focus, ladies. If you have a colored cardigan on, keep your scarf a basic neutral, like camel, gray, or black.

5. Depending on the weather, put on a vest in fur or military surplus style.

6. Finish it off with leggings or tights and ankle or mid-calf boots. 

So, in review...you need a dress, long sleeved tee, cardigan, scarf, belt, vest, leggings/tights, and boots. Feel free to stop before the vest or nix the tee...but there's a certain power in just going balls out, isn't there? Do it. You'll be happy to keep that winter coat in the back of your closet for at least another month! 

A Gray Day

On a day like today...chilly, cloudy, and windy...I am overjoyed with the thought of more and more fall items coming into my every day repertoire! I am even tempted to switch over my closet from summer. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow. I'm really craving pieces that mimic the gray sky.

In tights...

In blazers...

In booties...

In jeans...

All my favorites style stars are rockin' the key items of this trend. Of course, a gray t-shirt is also a necessity. 

Express Heather Opaque Fashion Tights

J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer

Laguna Beach Aliso Beach Jeans

Enzo Angiolini Haver Bootie