Pretty Please

Stores are starting to push their summer sale merchandise aside to allow room for a smattering of new fall-ish merchandise. I couldn’t be more excited after a ho-hum spring/summer fashion season for new exciting fall clothing. One of my favorite stores, White House Black Market, has just introduced their first hit of fall and I am seriously in love with this very pretty, very elegant dress.

I am staunchly in the camp that believes fashion should, first and foremost, be pretty and flattering to the wearer. This dress is the epitome of pretty and it’s cinched in waist, swingy skirt and ruffled collar will render every wearer seriously elegant. I am hoping that this dress is the start of many beautiful things to wear now and later as fall approaches. I am over the mannish, overly big and edgy looks that dominated summer wear, bring on the pretty! Ruffle Chemise available at www.whitehouseblackmarket.com.

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The Best Of Fall

This outfit from Ann Taylor Loft is the best of what’s in for fall! Great basics like a white button down, sweater dress, belt and boots come together for a polished, sophisticated and trendy outfit. This outfit is the perfect way to layer, adding visual interest and style. Available at www.anntaylorloft.com.

Fall Fashion Trends You Will Want To Wear: Revved Up

This fall it is time to get revved up and invest in a leather motorcycle jacket. They are an easy and versatile way to wear the popular “tough luxe” and “lots of leather” trends seen on the runways. A beautiful made, buttery-soft leather motorcycle jacket will be an investment piece that you can wear year after year. Wear it this fall over a ruffly chiffon blouse paired with wide-leg trousers and high-heel booties for a sophisticated daytime work look and then throw it on with a loose, semi-sheer Alexander Wang tee or tank and your favorite pair of jeans (skinny, boyfriend or bootcut) for a casual hip weekend look. They also will look great worn now (before it gets too cold) and this spring with dainty, floral dresses. Buy one that is fitted and has an interesting cut or style without too many details, allow the rest of your outfit and accessories to style it up. Wear it with the sleeves pushed up and let your longer layers peek out. Check out the great selection of leather jackets at www.shopbop.com and www.neimanmarcus.com.

Two leather looks from the runway:

A few of my faves from www.shopbop.com.

Fall Preview

Temperatures are rising and summer sales are in full swing which can only mean it is time for fall fashion previews. Stores are working hard to clear their racks of tank tops and frilly slip dresses to make room for cashmere sweaters and wool pants. Neiman Marcus and Net-A-Porter both have great fall previews that are worth a sneak peek to see what you are going to be wanting and wearing for fall. If the heat is getting to you escape to www.neimanmarcus.com and www.net-a-porter.com and revel in all the beautiful clothes designed for cooler days. Happy Browsing!

Working Girl

Browsing through the BCBG Max Azria boutique I came across one of the cutest and most practical dresses I have ever seen. This mock two-piece dress looks like an elegant white button down shirt tucked into a black pencil skirt but lo and behold it is all one piece, which takes the frustration out of trying to keep a shirt tucked in and looking neat all day.

This dress is stylish, classy and work appropriate (you can add a white cami to keep from showing cleavage). The fun ruffle detail on the blouse and the interesting cut of the skirt look striking. The  silhouette of the dress is very flattering to the wearer. This ultra versatile dress makes dressing for fall a cinch, pair it with peep toe heels now and then when the weather gets cooler wear it with black tights and booties. Available at www.bcbg.com and www.nordstrom.com.

Fall Forward

Getting dressed this time of year can be a bit tricky, fall is on the horizon but in many places the weather is still too warm to start wearing all the hallmarks of fall, cozy sweaters, chic tights, knee high boots and slim cords. So what is a girl to do, how to look in season and in style without sweating? Here a few fool proof tips that will keep you looking great and feeling comfortable while gently propelling you into fall.

First things first, Labor Day has come and gone, so cover your white pants, jeans and skirts with plastic and box up your white shoes and purses and hang them in the back of your closet. There a few rules in fashion, anything usually goes, but the one hard and fast rule I always obey is no white after Labor Day. Next go through your spring/summer clothes and pull out anything made of linen or sheer gauzy fabric and pack up for next year, gauzy fabrics are just too whimsical for September.

Switch out your tank tops with short sleeve and 3/4 length sleeve tees and start wearing your long sleeve button up tops with the sleeves rolled up. Keep from wearing sweet and summery florals as well as colors that scream summer like lime green, bright pink, turquoise and yellow (unless you pair these bright colors with dark rich shades like black, charcoal or espresso). Start adding rich fall colors like pumpkin, loden, chocolate, eggplant, burgundy and pewter to your basic black and tan summer slacks and capris. Gap has a great selection of their favorite fit tees in the perfect shades for fall. On cooler days throw on your fall tweed, cord or velvet jackets with a fitted tee and capris. Cardigans are huge for fall and can easily be worn layered over sleeveless dresses or tanks on cool days.

As far as shoes go, it is probably too early to wear knee high boots but it is time to put the flip flops away (I know, I know, I hate to do it too, I love my flip flops but all good things come to an end). Switch your summery, strappy heels with more solid looking peep toes and in place of gladiator sandals and flip flops wear cute printed flats. Pack up your platform espadrilles. J.Crew has a great selection of cute flats perfect for buy now, wear now. Remember if anything looks too summery, it probably is!

Gap tees in fall shades:

Gorgeous transition looks from J. Crew

Top Ten Trends for Fall-The Sexy Cardi

The cardigan is cool again for fall especially in cozy cashmere and a longer, sleeker length. Cardigans are the easiest way to layer up for fall and can be found at virtually every price point and store this season. To keep a cardigan from looking frumpy pair it with a laced trimmed cami or ruffly silk blouse and fitted bottoms like leggings, straight leg jeans and pencil skirts. Don’t forget to add a belt to help define your waist.

A few of my faves from Vince, available at www.neimanmarcus.com and www.shopbop.com.

Top Ten Trends-The Ankle Boot

Ankle boots are back this fall and bigger than ever. I was a bit resistant to them last season but am totally loving them now, especially when paired with dark tights and skirts or dresses. Ankle boots are meant to be seen and the more interesting details like zippers, rivets, stitching or unique leathers, the better. Ankle boots while looking oh so stylish, they can also shorten the appearance of the leg as opposed to lengthening it it like knee high boots so to avoid short, stumpy calves, pair your ankle boots with dark colored tights that will elongate. Also, keep the hem of your skirt or dress just above the knee to maximize every inch of your legs. Check out www.piperlime.com for a great selection of ankle boots.

Gwenyth Paltrow, Hayden Panetierre and Catherine Zeta Jones sporting ankle boots

Top Ten Trends for Fall-Wide Leg Trousers

Slim leggings and straight leg jeans and pants are not going to disappear this season but make room in your closet for wide leg trousers because they are in full force for fall. Look for wide leg styles with clean lines in elegant tweed, sharp pinstripes, and sleek satin and pair them with a fitted, belted jacket or frilly lace or floral blouse.

Diane von Furstenberg

BCBG Max Azria

Elie Tahari

Tracy Reese

Top Ten Trends for Fall-Fall Florals

It is a rosy outlook for fall! Fall fashion tends to be more moody than spring fashion, but this season designers were not quite ready to let the flowers fade. Don’t be a wallflower for fall; stand out instead by donning a bright, abstract floral print.

Tracy Reese

Michael Kors

Oscar de la Renta

Sari Gueron