Fall / Winter 2019 ... Confidence Dressing

This season calls for simple, sleek silhouettes with color, statement designs or details. An alternative silhouette is a soft, drapey and fluid style.

This season: Enticing and Touchable Textures

COLOR:	Adjust your eyes to new colors not usually seen this time of year. Red is a key color for Fall. Highlighter hue choices of yellow, yellow-orange, orange, pink, and kelly green in your elegant and first dramatic green range. A contrast to the brights are darker or moody tones like deep olives, teal, burgundy, burnt sienna, cognac browns, and camel. Regal golds and purples round out the diverse color choices.
DESIGN	Houndstooth checks are a seasonal staple. Small, with contrasting colors, is OK for Springs. Very muted warm tones that look textural are for Falls. Large black & white, and stylized, are a Winter look. Buffalo checks, which are larger in scale than regular checks, are a Winter check. The blended glen plaid, along with more distinctive windowpane plaids or classic plaids. Southwest patterns in deep, rich tones. Falls: avoid those with white. Color blocking designs are usually for Falls and Winters. Victorian florals, which are small to medium in scale. These are in deeper, or understated, tones in your N+ color range. These are a Spring design. Larger, blended florals are for Summers. Snakeskin patterns are the newest Fall Harmony design. It’s on everything from purses to dresses, and often in shades of grey. I don’t see it as a good idea, even in a beige tone, except maybe on shoes or a purse in beige. Other Jungle prints are a better choice, especially the leafy ones, or darker Cheetah patterns.
FABRIC	Awaken your tactile senses to all the touchable textures available. Tweeds, waffle weaves, cable knits, ribbed knits, brushed twill, and cozy fleece. Marled or variegated knits, stretchy denim knits, gauzy cottons, and corduroy. Soft and supple leather for pants, skirts, and even dresses. Leather trim or edging on some skirts and jackets. Faux suede. A flourish of floral embroidery on one, or both, jean legs. Lace and crochet trims. Lace embroidered into sheer mesh for dressier styles. Quilted fabrics, quilted designs decorating other fabrics. Satin, sparkle and shine for day or night. Velveteen for day or night.
STYLE	Adding three new pieces can be enough to give your wardrobe a facelift. Remove a few garments you really don’t feel like wearing anymore, or that have seen their best days. That will make room for something new that lifts your spirits.
STYLE Tops	It’s all about the sleeves this season. Rather than just straight down, there are many choices in volume and shapes. Look for details knit in, or added onto, the sleeves. You’ll see V and rounded necklines, ruched turtlenecks, as well as the classic styles. Multiple, narrow self-fabric pleats edge different necklines. Faux suede shirts. Small to large plaid shirts. Remember your harmony’s scale and no white in them for Falls and Summers. Blouses with voluminous shapes or sleeves. Tunics, both pullover and button-up. Some have interesting hemlines that crossover from side to side, or are uneven. Sweaters with swing hemlines. Sweat-shirt style sweaters are dressed up in cashmere. You’ll see many texture and pattern variations to choose from. To make a relaxed sweater more figure-flattering, do a half-tuck in the center or off-center of your pant’s waistband. The boyfriend cardigan, which is a casual, over-sized style. Classic cardigan sweater sets. Some are short, some long. Some cardigans have swing hemlines. Quilted outdoor vests. Many colors are available.
STYLE Pants	Several prints and plaids are an option, as well as solid colors, in a variety of pant styles. Slim-fitting jeans to wide trousers. Straight legs to flared, choose your best style. Cropped trousers worn with heels, or matching boots, for a longer, leaner look. Voluminous, lantern-shaped cropped pants. Leather pants, high-waisted and belted, or just to the waist. Velveteen and suede give a textured, elegant mood to a jean-style pant. These are fun to dress up, or down, with a satin blouse, or sweatshirt-style patterned sweater. Leggings in deep color florals or abstract prints. Add a poncho and ankle boots for a more elevated style. Tailored pantsuits, double or single-breasted. Solids or menswear stripes and glen plaids.
STYLE Skirts	There are many skirt choices to give you a change from all your pants. Mini, midi (mid-calf), and maxi skirts give you length options, as well as the just-above-the-knee pencil skirt. This is a short length that is flattering for most. Within the skirt lengths, you’ll see uneven, as well as straight, hemlines. A maxi skirt can work well with mid to tall boots, or high heels. Mini skirts at mid-thigh, for the younger sets, can be worn with tights for more coverage and warmth. Ankle boots look nice with this length, as do flats. If you have long legs, tall boots will look balanced on you. Wrap skirts with an obvious opening slit on the front, or stitched down crisscross on the back with a plain front. Pleated skirts, layered, flat wavy ruffled skirts, crinkle cotton skirts, and knit skirts with flattering flared hemlines.
STYLE Dresses	The universally flattering wrap dress is at the top of the list. It can easily be dressed up or down. Maxi versions are soft, lightweight, and fluid in shape. Casual styles can be worn with boots with some height, dressier sleek pumps, or a strappy style. Maxi dresses may come with gently ruched turtlenecks, or other neckline shapes. Denim and faux suede shirt dresses with the ease of stretch. Add panache with a neckerchief. A short jean jacket could be your topper. One in a color for the denim dress; and depending on the suede dress color, a N, N+, or an accent color jacket. Sheath dresses might be short or long and some may have a center or side slit. Some come with layered, flat, asymmetrical ruffles toward the hemline.
STYLE Jackets, Coats	Try a stole as a wrap in place of a jacket or coat. Also, try a cardigan style sweater-jacket for a casual effect. Slim styles could be belted for a classic look. Always the blazer for a quick pulled-together look. It can be an easy, casual knit style, or a tailored, crisp style. There’s a new longer blazer option, too. This style is best on taller people, and will look more balanced over slim or ankle pants. Ponchos, some using color blocking or patchwork designs, southwest themes, and artistic ribbing designs accenting a smooth background. A new version of a poncho is called a ruana. It is shaped the same, but has an open front, rather than a pull-over. Think of it as a poncho cardigan. Swing jackets and coats. Dramatic long coats that almost dust the floor. The classic trench coat is belted and comes in shades of tan and khaki. Some come in sleek leather or suede. Finally, leather biker jackets are available in brown, not just black. Jean jackets. The boyfriend cardigan in heavier knits to use as a jacket substitute.
ACCESSORIES Jewelry	Pearls in more edgy styles command more attention. Acrylic, fresh water, and faux pearls in colors. Nature-inspired necklaces, including animal prints. Natural elements like tiger-eye, green agates, and zinc. Mixed-media necklaces and earrings, bracelets, and rings. Abstract and sculptural designs and shapes. Pins and brooches. Small “scatter pins” worn in groups of 3. These have tie-tack backings.
ACCESSORIES Shoes	Square-toe boots echo the strong, confident woman theme. Riding boots. Cowgirl boots embellished with pearlescent or coppery studs. Hiker boots in more color choices than brown. Slouchy boots in medium to tall heights. Sleek tall boots and the shorter shoe-booties. Loafers and other slip-ons. For fun, wear attention-getting bright shoes instead of neutrals. You can also find a variety of shoe styles in prints. Loafers are among them. Retro Mary Janes, ankle straps, and T-strap shoes look fresh in colors, metallics, and glitter.
ACCESSORIES Handbags	Traditionally shaped bags in neutral shades along with many color choices. Satchels with stitching detail and burnished metal trim, or with suede insets. Shiny, printed, and bright bags of different shapes. Convertible, crossbody bags with straps that detach so they can be used as a clutch.
ACCESSORIES Details	Leather, wool, boucle´, and felt hats. Color, pattern, and texture add personality to different hat styles. Scarves galore. lightweight, gauzy scarves in beautiful hues. Warmer coat or jacket scarves. Wear one color, or multicolored, to add pizazz to a solid or neutral color. 18”-27” square neckerchief scarves. Layer with a vest, tunic, or solid shirt for a more interesting accent. Tie as you would for a cowgirl neck scarf. Leopard and glittery belts for a stylish accent, or to give more shape to a garment. Aviator sunglasses. Glasses with floral or animal designs on the temples or on upper front top edge.
The bottom line: if it doesn’t look good on you, it’s not in style.