Smart Colors: 6 Must-Wear Hues for Fall/Winter ‘09

www.collegefashion.com

 

There is one word that perfectly describes the hottest colors for fall and winter 2009: “smart.”
But what exactly does “smart” mean in a fashion context? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, smart, as it relates to fashion, means “stylish or elegant in dress or appearance…appealing to sophisticated tastes.”
Essentially, we are stepping away from the neon, 80’s-centric color palette of summer and embracing some really amazing, sophisticated hues for fall and winter.
Read on to find out what the top 6 “smart colors” are, as well as how to wear them. I hope you can find at least one color you’d like to try this fall/winter season!

1. Bronze

 

All metallics are timeless, but bronze is a big hit this fall and will continue to be throughout the winter.
Bronze is more subtle than other metallics, which goes with the subdued, sophisticated theme of this season’s color palette. Bronze is chic and toned-down, perfect for mixing with fall’s jewel tones and neutral shades.
From the runways to the sidewalks on campus, here’s a montage of bronze to get your inspiration flowing!

Information (clockwise from left): Audrina Patridge – TheInsider.com, C&C California V-Neck- Shopbop.com, Buddha Sedona Bag in Bronze- Endless.com, Bailmain RTW Spring 2010 – Style.com, Anne Klein Quilted Dress Flat- Endless.com, Barissa Earrings- Chico’s, Puma Speedcat High Top in Bronze/Silver- Nordstrom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Brick/Berry

 

Berry and brick tones are always hot for both autumn and winter. Brick is perfect for fall since it echos the colors of the leaves, while berry is a trademark Christmas color, reminiscent of holly berries.
These two shades are fabulous to wear in fall or winter because they play perfectly against the lightened skin tones most of us sport during the colder months. Want to see more? Here are some berry and brick-colored items you’re sure to love.

Information (clockwise from left): Louis Vuitton RTW Fall 2009- style.com, GF FERRE’ Full-length jacket- YOOX, Du Wop Lip Stain in Pure Berry- SkinStore.com, Leighton Meester at the Gossip Girl Premiere- TheInsider.com, Cable V-Neck Long Sleeve- Charlotte Russe, Silk Brick Red Skirt- Arden B, Dolman Tee in Berry- Alloy.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Mauve

 

Mauve reminds me of an artistic accident, as if someone forgot to wash the gray paint off the brush before dipping into the lilac.
There are four “official” tones of mauve, at least according to the HEX database of colors: Mauve, Light Mauve, Opera Mauve, and Mauve Taupe. This season, be especially aware of the latter two. Regular mauve and “light mauve” will become more popular as spring rolls around.
Here’s a look at the four mauve tones, as well as some mauve fashion inspiration.

Left-to-Right: Mauve, Light Mauve, Opera Mauve, Mauve Taupe

Information (clockwise from left): Roland Mouret Fall 2009 RTW- style.com, Bobbi Brown Sheer Cheek Tint in Mauve- Bergdorf Goodman, Cinnamon Blossom Top in Mauve- Free People, Contour Lip Liner in Mauve- ULTA, Unisex Jersey Scarf in Mauve- American Apparel, Stefano Mortani Tank- YOOX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Dark Sage

 

Whether you call it forest green, dark olive, or dark sage, the fact is that these deep, “vegetative” greens are in!
Heading to a holiday festivity? Why not replace your LBD with a little GREEN dress for a change? In need of a new pea coat? Why not try on a few sage options? These tones are great choices for both fall and winter and are easy to wear if you consider your skin tone!
Not sure which shades of dark green would work best for you? Refer to Zephyr’s post on Finding Your Perfect Colors!

Information (clockwise from left): Gap RTW 2009- style.com, Dark Suede Demode Heels- Nine West at Zappos, Combobella Plaid Jacket- YOOX, Louis Vuitton RTW 2009- style.com, Pintelle Beret- Kohl’s, Cable Oversized Beanie- TopShop, Belted Green Dress- Charlotte Russe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Navy

 

Ah, navy, one of the most neglected neutrals. I’m personally a huge fan of navy blue worn year-round, however, I don’t see many other college girls rocking navy quite as much.
Navy was first used as a dye for British military coats and was originally so dark it was often mistaken for black. Fortunately, these days, modern dyes make it a lot easier to tell the two shades apart.
For winter 2009, be ready for navy coats, trousers, scarves, and everything in between! Here are some fabulous navy items I love.

Information (clockwise from left): Moschino Fall 2009 RTW- harpersbazzar.com, Wool Blend Coat- Old Navy, Navy Ladderweave Scarf and Lace Frill Lace Tunic- Top Shop, UO Opaque Tights in Navy- Urban Outfitters, Deux Lux Studded Clutch- Rumor, H81 Embroidered Cardigan- Forever 21

 

 

 

 

 

6. Cognac

 

Named after a town in France, cognac is arguably the most popular variety of brandy. However, in addition to being the name of a drink, cognac is now known as a hot color in fashion.
This orangey brown tone is a perfect manifestation of autumn and accompanies just about any other color with ease. The brightness draws attention, while the neutrality of the color makes it modest. In my opinion, cognac is best worn on footwear, outerwear, and bags. I just bought some cognac boots, and am in love!

Information (clockwise from left): Ellen Pompeo – instyle.com, Buckled Slouchy Boots- Charlotte Russe, Cognac Short Booties- Windsor, Bwarriort Cognac Le Bag- Steve Madden, Chinese Laundry Love Me Platforms- Piperlime, Ribbed Trim Leatherette Jacket- Arden B

10 fashion updates for fall 2009

www.examiner.com

Here are ten updates to perk up your fall 2009 wardrobe. Tweek them to suit your style and shape. The best tip for always looking great is to own your fashion style, don't let fashion own you.

Neon colored dresses from Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors are hot this season with the pink-highlighter hue working on all skin tones. If neon colors seem a little scary for fall, opt for a purse or earrings to give you the fashion edge.

Monotone is boring, but pairing up tonal colors is total up-to-date fashion. To get the look, choose varying shades from one color and mix it up head to toe. Add textures to show off your personal flair. The bonus is, it makes you look taller and leaner.

Faux fur adds glam to any outfit in one easy step. And don’t be afraid of color—when it comes to faux fur it’s a must have to turn your most basic black outfit into a fun and stylish look. Matthew Williamson, Thakoon and Dennis Basso showed lots of color and a variety of shapes and textures for 2009 fall wardrobes. Go ahead and show off your flair, neon faux fur will rock the party.

A short velvet dress—need more be said? The touchable softness of velvet showing off great legs that are accessorized by one of StockinGirl's many choices of fabulous sexy leg wear—how can one go wrong? Trade your stilettos for a pair of black patent flats. which will work with most outfits as well.

Beg to be noticed long sleek sexy gloves. A fashion junkie’s must have. Max Azria, Elie Tahari and others showed off this runway look for fall. Fashion warning: Take them off inside lest you could end up looking like the prom queen.

Replace blue jeans with black leather pants or black skinny jeans. Derek Lam, Alexander Wang and Diane von Furstenberg show an almost legging-like fit paired with sweaters and boots.

Look for bright colored end of the summer sales on tees and miniskirts for layering over leggings and blouses. Jason Wu and Oscar de la Renta took two bold colors like red and pink infuse them with a backsplash of black and it totally rocked. Think color this fall and go for bold accessories.

Thigh high boots and a long sleeved mini dress. A great combo—just add a sweater and go. To tame this look slightly and still be up-to-date prefect try knee high boots, dark tights, with a slightly longer dress length.

The blanket coat is it. This doesn’t mean over-sized, droopy and plaid. It means drape-able, luxurious soft cashmeres and wools in rich earthy tones that complement your skin and hair color.

Other notable trends are lingerie displaying (break out those corsets) and slightly squared-shoulders. Forget the shoulder huge pads of the 80’s, this trend is subtly sculpted.

BEAUTY SECRETs: 10 Great Winter Fashion Trends This Season

www.4urfashion.blogspot.com

It's that time of the year again with snowflakes falling, yuletide cheer and Christmas shopping, hot cups of coco and cozy warm fireplace with sizzling embers of coal crackling away. But what's heating up the fashion scene this winter, a closer look reveals some interesting insights on the latest winter fashions.

This seasons winter colours

True to the season, soft snowy white shades seem to be a good choice for clothes that blend in with the winter theme. Another popular colour to helps produce a sharp contrast is Black and various shades of bright black; while dull and muted greys give a nice warm and fuzzy touch and hues of rich red right through to mellow maroon are reflective of the season.

For women, earthy colours ranging from the deep shades of olive, maroon, brown, deep blue's to chocolate brown are colours set to form the trend. While for men, muted shades of pink, lavender, brick red, grey, deep shades of purple and black are what’s going to be setting the stage for fashion.

Hair

Choosing the right hair style to go with the fashion and season can be a daunting task. You don't want to be seen in last year's styles and certainly not something that’s not the hottest rage at the moment. So if you're trying to figure out the hairdo that's the pick of the season by stylists and fashion models; it's time to let you in on that little secret, apparently for women wearing your hair in the all so classic 'Bob Cut' seems to be the favoured trend this season.

Men on the other to make the cut will have to aim to get their hair into the bushy straight yet carefully dishevelled look that gets tucked away into the tops of their mufflers.

Hats

If you like hats you're in luck, this season hoods, hats and caps are the rage. Large knitted beanies or those furry oversized Moroccan hats all in this winter. The styles in vogue are hats that are either huge and puffy or tiny and pointed. Fur lined hoods blended into the garment are also turning heads this winter.

Coats

This season coats come with a nice thick mantle like look that feature tousled sleeves and funnelled collars. Other patterns included coats with widely placed collars and a rich furry texture.

Fabrics

The prevailing tendencies for fabrics this season are fabrics that are over-worked with several different effects across their surfaces. The fabrics are very solid or concrete with a sort of untamed natural feel blended with soft lustres. Prints around the winter theme are almost subtle while the focus in on rich exterior of the fabric.

Lightweight wool or reworked cottons are the base for designs that will debut this winter.

Effects

Complementing the feel and textures of fabrics the designs around these effects that are set to make the stage this winter, range from, long pleats, to subtle wrinkles and clearly visible overstitches, to the blistered and tangled effects.

Cashmere worked in with regular wool and mohair is blended to give the fabrics a light yet visibly textured look. While some of the other fabrics are roughly cut to give a thatched heavily threaded effect. Most knits are made with heavily emphasised gages to draw out the raw protective feel against the winter chill.

Denim is one of those fabrics that will probably be around forever, this winter, the theme is a slight gleam in the denim with an oxidised look. In fact this seasons going to have you seeing a lot of ultra cool effects.

Scarves

This season, trade in your old winter muffler for those large woollen scarves that can be draped over your shoulders like a stole. Embodied with various prints on dulled wool the scarf lends a casual yet protective loo to the wearer be it a man or a woman.

Footwear

Ankle length shoes in shades of silver and grey are this winters winner. They shriek elegance and comfort in a very casual sort of way. For women transparent slippers laced with silver give an almost Cinderella effect.

Jewellery

Jewellery designs highlighting the winter season are marvellous add ons’ silver snowflake pendants and large broaches like a sprig of holly or mistletoe make some really eye catching accessories. Chunky silver bracelets and large but light earrings that dangle add to the effect.

So, make sure you watch out for these lovely trends that are bound to take the country by storm. And honestly, you really do not have to own expensive designer wear to make a statement. Even your local stores will stock up on some of these new designs. This winter season ensure you treat yourself to some of these trendy fashions and go paint the town red!

The Velvet – for fall-winter 2009/2010

By Fashion.bg   Published: 18/09/2009

Theodora Deneva

Obviously summer is over and it’s the turn of autumn. With the arrival of autumn, however, each woman begins to see wardrobe and saddened to establish that once again there is nothing to put on cool days. No woman and for a moment thought is not to renew at least one coat your wardrobe.

Well, ladies … calm You can find the application and of old and forgotten by your clothes, of course if you have not already escaped from them.

Velvet, which was obsolete before the time is now again in power. In many collections of world and our designers and fashion houses can be seen, coats, jackets, dresses, blouses and accessories like gloves, hats, belts and velvet bags.

Feel free to combine with another velvet fabric, such as satin, chiffon, cloth. This made many designers produced an impressive and stylish dresses, both for everyday and special occasions.

So, dear women, regardless of whether it is velvety smooth, ribbed, molding or wrinkled effect, it is simply modern.

Wearing White: Pay Attention to Fabric, Weather Fall 2009

ABC News

This photo released by Shoshanna Lonstein shows a an Ivory rose bed embroidered open back sheath dress from her Fall 2009 collection.(AP Photo/Courtesy Shoshanna Lonstein)

(AP)

It's an old-school rule that you shouldn't wear white after Labor Day, but even the newfound fashion freedom to wear light colors in cooler weather comes with some strings attached.

When summer really is turning into fall, it's time to re-evaluate the fabrics in your closet. Linen should get packed away first — and it doesn't really matter what color it is, says designer Shoshanna Gruss.

"You wouldn't wear a strapless sundress if it were white linen or black linen in the fall," she says. "Summer clothes are summer clothes, but, colorwise, it's more interesting and fun to play with your wardrobe and not leave any color out."

Her quick replacement for that cocktail-party sundress would be a brocade, which she says would look stunning in a creamy white and probably complement most skin tones in the process. Indian summer and early fall is when many people look their best with just a hint of a golden glow, and a rich white will just show that off, Gruss says.

Considering the Little Black Dress is so famous — and so popular — the woman who wears the Little Winter White Dress has the chance to be the first one noticed in a crowded room, adds Kelly Golden, owner of the upscale store Neopolitan in Winnetka, Ill. "The right shade of winter white is flattering on everyone. It looks rich," she says.

When it comes to pants, Gruss will be switching to winter-white wool, probably paired with a jewel-tone sweater, or, even better, a chocolate-brown top.

Don't put away white denim, though, says Suze Yalof Schwartz, executive fashion editor at large at Glamour. Nothing is more chic than white jeans in the wintertime with a chunky cozy sweater or a blazer and leather boots, she says. That will look "very Michael Kors."

Stefani Greenfield, the owner of Scoop boutiques and designer of the Curations collection for HSN, makes the case for a Jackie Onassis-inspired outfit: a black turtleneck with those white jeans, animal-print ballet flats and either a cuff bracelet or pendant necklace.

This product image released by Curations with Stefani Greenfield shows a fur coat.(AP Photo/Curations with Stefani Greenfield)

(AP)

(Either way, Yalof Schwartz warns against too-tight white jeans, but that applies year-round, and undergarments should be flesh-tone not white, which might show.)

A shot of white, maybe a turtleneck under a sweater or a white shirt under a cardigan, can also have a slimming effect in the way a black vertical stripe does on a bathing suit. Mixing a few tones of white in the same outfit can be very cool, adds Patrick Robinson, creative director at Gap.

Yalof Schwartz likes a white sweater dress worn with dark, opaque tights. White legwear is almost always a no-no, however.

Greenfield prefers the purity of white, so she recommends staying away from prints and wearing it instead with tonal solid-color pieces, especially camel and oatmeal. To her, navy-and-white combinations scream "spring."

As long as you can keep it clean, white outerwear is a way to make a striking and stylish statement, says Greenfield, who has both a white down vest and white ski jacket — which she alternates as her cold-day "uniform." "There are ways to wear white after Labor Day and not stick out like a sore thumb."

A white cashmere-blend coat over a black dress is a perfect package, adds Golden. The brightness, she says, can give a needed punch to a fall fashion season that's dominated by dark colors.

One no-white rule does still apply, though, according to Yalof Schwartz: No matter the time of year, don't wear it to a wedding unless you are the bride.

5 Fall 2009 Must Have Accesories

thegroveeffect.com

What accessories do you need for this season to look chic and stay warm at the same time?

Everyone wants to know the latest fashion trends for this upcoming Fall/Winter season. Here it is, the top five accessories for the season.

1. Colorful Scarves

I'm sure we all remember our moms telling us as children to put a scarf on before we go outside in the winter. Not only are scarves an easier way to keep warm, they are also a quick way to brighten up a plain outfit with vibrant colors and designs.

2. Chain Handle Bags

Yes, the smaller bags are coming back in style. Whether or not we want to admit it, we all remember how much easier it is to find something in your smaller satchel rather than the over loaded totes we use now. This season look out for satchel bags with chains as handles.

3. Vibrant Colored Leather Gloves

Make your everyday standard black pea coat stand out with a vivid pair of solid leather gloves. Wear colors like a bold shade of red or a rich shade purple to emphasize the elegance of your outfit.

4. Low Little Belts

Wrap your waste this season with a slimmer sized belt. The lowered thin belts feature a more modern take on a figure-flattering style. Pay attention for fine details to capture the eye.

5. Platform Bootie Shoes

I think it is safe to say the infamous Australian Uggs will not be returning again for this Winter season. As popular and comfortable as they may have been, it is time for a new trend. Look out for the chunky ankle type boots this season. The feminine crafted style adds more of an edge to any outfit.

Fashion Fall 2009 - New York Fall 2009 Fashion Week

Academy of Art University Review – New York Fashion Week Fall 2009

By Christopher Bourne

meniscuszine.com

As they have done since 2005, graduates of San Francisco's Academy of Art University once again showed off their latest collections at the Bryant Park tents during Fashion Week. While this show usually is not as star-studded and high-profile as other shows, the talent on display rivals - and often outshines - those of more established names. This season's collections were no exception: despite a few misfires, most of the clothing on display exhibited great creativity and playfulness in design and concept, as well as attractiveness and functionality.

The show began with looks from the "Britex Fabrics Project," a collection created by third-semester students with fabrics donated by the Britex Fabrics store located in San Francisco 's Union Square shopping district.

The collections utilized materials such as houndstooth, wool crepe and mohair. But those fabrics worked against the dresses and coats, which seemed to overwhelm the models'bodies and made the overall look a bit too elaborate and distracting. Much more understated, and more successful, were the creations by Qianya Martin, whose knitted dresses used warm, earthy tones and ribbed patterns to convey a pleasing simplicity of form. Heather Howard and Cat Janky's collection included ankle-length dresses inspired by photographs of 19th century American life.

Taking the most chances with their designs was I-Shan Liou and Myoung Hee Kim, who created a collection which combined many different elements - checkered patterns, zigzag lines, bold swaths of blue - into a surprisingly serene balance. Emily Melville and Ivanka Georgieva's subtle and coolly elegant fashions were also very impressive. Aesthetically, this collection was the most striking and memorable.