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Fall 2005
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Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered...
Fall 2005 Fashion Feats & Foibles
There’s something totally delicious about Fall. The colors are rich, the fabrics are luxurious, and the styles have substance. Not to mention that designers tend to get a little less wacky as the weather gets cooler!
Although we (in the northeast US) have had the warmest September on record), like it or not the cooler weather will soon be upon us. So, it’s now time to take inventory of your Fall wardrobe, assess what is still wearable, what needs to be replaced, and begin thinking about what to add. The question, of course, is what’s truly new, what’s exciting, what’s hype, and what’s downright silly! Here are some tips to help you make prudent and delightful choices.
Bewitched:
- Color…color…color:
Beautiful, delicious colors adorned the runway. The most notable and universally flattering is teal, a.k.a., Moroccan blue. It’s deep, rich, bright, and divine. While this season’s mantra is that "black is back" (did it really ever go away?), for those of you who eschew black, brown is a solid competitor. Its richness makes it a
perfect complement to some of this season’s earthy colors of moss green, burnt orange, deep purple, and ginger.
- Wrap Yourself in Luxury: Gone are the airy, revealing fashions of the summer. In their stead are fabrics with substance, richness, and luxuriousness. Velvet, brocade, tapestry and handmade knits are everywhere. Resist dressing head to toe in anyone of them. Keep them understated. Purchase a brocade vest, tapestry handbag, or velvet (Russian influence) shoes, for example, and let that piece be the star!
- Step Out in Style! I’m not sure there’s a shoe design that isn’t in style right now. You name it, it’s out there. High heeled knee high boots are as hip as elegant flat boots (finally!). Peep toe shoes are sweet, as are rounded toe flats. Wedge boots are a new item (kind of fun, but beware…they might not last more than this season). UGGs are passé (although the comfort factor is still a draw), but slightly more fashionable comfy tie-up boots are in. Even cowboy boots (love them — a throw back to the 80’s) are high fashion.
- Spice It Up! When it comes to embellishment, a little goes a long way. This season, I think it’s been done very tastefully, for the most part. Jeans have pretty designs on them in the form of embroidery, paint and sometimes subtly built into the pattern of the fabric. Keep whatever you pair with them simple.
Bothered:
- Don’t Tie One On! Why do they bring this dreadful style back year after year? The long cardigan tied at the waist is disastrous on nearly everyone. If you want to look like a sack of potatoes tied in the middle (as my mother would say), wear it. Otherwise, run!
- Layering Run Amuck! I’m a huge fan of layering. It’s practical when the temperatures fluctuate. It can add beauty, color, and illusion (perhaps the greatest benefit of all). But, when it’s suggested that we wear a bolero jacket over a tunic or chiffon top, I draw the line. It’s cute on anyone under 18, but that’s about it! And, it gets worse. Thick, knit sweaters over flowing chiffon dresses or skirts? Yikes! What planet are they from?
Bewildered:
- The Style That Just Won’t Die! The full skirt has been hyped by fashion magazines as the must have item of the past couple of seasons. Just what all women want, super-sized hips. A little swing is one thing but a skirt the size of Milwaukee is another.
- Attention! Is it really any surprise that a military look is big this Fall? While this isn’t necessarily a bad look, keep it toned down. Perhaps the buttons on your skirt have a military flavor. Or, maybe you’re wearing an obviously military inspired jacket but it’s very curvy and feminine and is worn with a gently ruffled shirt (very in this season) or with a pair of soft, fluid pants and peep toe shoes.
- Give it the Boot! A very trendy style right now is to wear short booties with skirts. While some of the boots are adorable, flirty, and fun (which is why I’m just bewildered and not bothered!), any style of shoe/boot that ends at your ankle makes your ankle look thicker and your legs look shorter. You decide! My suggestion: wear them with pants so they peek out and intrigue, not overwhelm and stunt your growth!
As you can tell, all in all the styles are pretty, colors are delightful, and fabrics are just plain yummy! Enjoy!
To purchase Ginger's book "Fashion Secrets Mother Never Taught You," please click here.
Copyright 2005, Total Image Consultants - All rights reserved.
Fashion Secret 2005 is written and produced by Total Image Consultants. Please direct all questions and comments to ginger@totalimageconsultants.com.
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