Fall Trend Report

If you want to know what to wear this fall, well I can tell you. But you might be a bit surprised. I’m an extremist so for me fashion has taken a decidedly sad turn. Well it’s not that it’s so sad. Fashion is never sad. But designers put away the zest, the lust, the everything I live for! Every year I sit on the edge of my seat in New York just waiting for those last gowns to come down that catwalk – the crazy and wild ones that no one but Carrie Bradshaw could ever wear. And then I dream for days about walking into Dior and saying, “I want look number twenty-nine.” And they’ll pull out a giant pough of tulle and silk, oh and toile, I’ve always wanted a toile gown. Then they’ll fit it to me right there on the spot, pinning and draping and accidentally sticking me with a needle or two. And then the dress will be whisked away and sent off to Paris where it will be hand-sewn to perfection. I’ll pull cash out of my purse and pay for it in advance.

But this season those dreams were dashed by a bit of reality. Those dresses never came. Why? Because women took back the runway. They were tired of Lindsay and Paris running the world. You can’t wear a babydoll dress to the office. Nor are platforms particularly practical while taking the kids to school. Those girls kept the trends flying at a such a fast pace – even I couldn’t keep up. The “it” bag changed so quickly it was all just a blur. And now I’ve got seventeen purses that I’m sure will find a lovely home at the Goodwill because they’re all “out.” Thank you Paris and Lindsay. Or should I say thank you Rachel Zoe. She was the puppet master, the trendivore behind the revolving door of trends for these last three years – stylist to Nicole Richie, the Olsen Twins, Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton. She was the one who tied scarves and placed sunglasses and tented everyone in sacks. Then suddenly this season the fashion world staged a revolt against her celebutantes. It said, “We want to make money. We need customers not press.” So it turned back to its core constituents and asked what they wanted, and that’s what came down the runway this fall.

You know not everyone lives in Los Angeles. And not everyone is an “actor.” Meaning not everyone can walk around aimlessly all day in ballet slippers and a sack dress. Fashion has bordered on the tangential to women’s lives for the past few years as its practicality has been nearly null. Well not anymore. Fashion is once again wearable. And I suppose I shouldn’t fret because those beautiful gowns were just a dream, and now I get real clothes that I can buy and appreciate for the craftsmanship and detail put into the garments.

This fall the buzzwords are “chic,” “tailored,” “sophisticated,” – clothes are elegant and practical and project an attitude that is above the trendy fray. Of course there are some wider ranging trends like “gray is the new black,” and “wide leg pants and booties are in,” but the larger trend is that suits, knee length skirts, covered up feminine dressing and coats are the staples with novel textures and fabrics being the accent to reflect personality.

Versace, Miu Miu, and Zac Posen showed suits with an hourglass shape, while Gucci had a more 40’s inspired look.

Versace

Gucci

Galliano had a sharp look with fresh colors which he romanticized with accessories like hosiery and gloves.

Galliano

Marc Jacobs’ streamlined skirts and coats reflected a more mature sensibility.

Marc Jacobs

And Calvin Klein and Donna Karan focused on daytime dressing, with slim knee-length skirts and coats.

Calvin Klein

Jil Sander cut very clean and lean, as did Lanvin and Tuleh.

Jil Sander

Now a word of advice: I live to spot trends. I’m absolutely obsessed with them. But I have to take a time out now and then to remember: trends are a marketing means to sell things to people in order to make money. Just because it’s “in” doesn’t mean it looks good on you. Buy for your body type. And stay away from those trends that are just too trendy. You don’t want to look like the identically dressed plebes who follow the lists printed in the weekly edition of People Magazine. There’s nothing worse than walking into a party wearing the same gray (or turquoise) dress as your best friend - or even more awful, the same gray and turquoise dress as your best friend AND the stranger across the room.

Image Source: Style.com