Fun, Flirtatious, and Feminine in Fall
As we close the door on our summer of sun and sea at the beach and our country getaways, we open the door on a fun (Moschino), flirtatious (McQueen) and very feminine (very Valentino) fall. (It's the masculine touches that accentuate these 4 F's). Back-to-school (Calvin Klein), back-to-work (Donna Karan) and back-to-business (Ralph Lauren) of being a very busy you…in board rooms (Gucci), on buses (Marc by Marc Jacobs), at banquets (Prada) and banks (Louis Vuitton). Even from the left bank of Paris (Yves St. Laurent), to New York's Seventh Avenue (Oscar de la Renta), fashion is not for the faint or just the frivolous. This time it's serious but not somber, even if it's just seriously sexy (Dolce & Gabbana), seriously romantic (Alberta Ferretti) or serious business (Armani) you're after this fall. eBay has all the "hot" looks you will be cool enough to wear.
September is always that transition month. We hate to see our tans fade (try Clinique Self Sun Tanning Body Mist). It's faster and no sand needed. Though some days of Indian summer are warm, there is a definite chill in the air. So, have no fear my dear, it's time to start layering. This season's first "must have" item is the vest. Anne Klein did them in plaids and tweeds. Marc Jacobs layered his Sergeant Pepper majorettes with tees and scarves for a grunge military feel. Michael Kors kept them utilitarian with zippers or shearling and Julien MacDonald kept the double entendre by mixing his male essentials with feminine frilly blouses. Ann Demeulemeester's urban princess warriors are ready to battle the streets of Boston, the traffic of Los Angeles, even the rough terrain of Texas. Dolce & Gabbana's favorite Gamin Giselle gave us the rebirth of Annie Hall 2002…the baggy vest. It's no longer just the middle of a three-piece suit. Like the creamy frosting of an Oreo cookie, it's the best part. So, wear it on it's own with a camisole from LaPerla or Victoria's Secret, or layer it with a sheer blouse from Chloe, Marni or Emporio Armani to accompany a bold new wide-leg pant. Now that's a new suit that will suit you.
As we all know, the legs are the last things to go, so if you're feeling very nostalgic for the eighties or early nineties, try the look that opened every man's eyes and closed every deal for Heather Locklear on Melrose Place… the mini. It is back. No, not just Vern Froyer as "Mini Me", I'm talking about you girl! You too can be a foxy Cleopatra. Alexander McQueen matched the mini with Mary Jane shoes and school boy-like sweaters for a Lolitta-like feel. If androgyny and "Pink" is more your thing, he also showed the mini as a three-piece pink leather suit with a tie and stiletto boots. John Galliano felt an arctic blast at the House of Dior with snuggly fur Eskimo boots, knitted caps and floral chiffon blouses. Denim purses also rocked and walked the runway. Costume Nationale is talking about the "New Mini Army". DO ASK. DO TELL. There were military jackets with spectator-style stilettos. Or, at Prada the roaring twenties marched on casual fit and a soft fluidity. Helmut Lang took a step back to the future with a silver pleating while Marni's sixties-like minis give peace, love and hope a new light. Diane von Furstenberg and Julien MacDonald reminisced fondly on "Flashdance" and the eighties with their variety of minis. "Oh What a Feeling…take your passion and make it happen." As Jennifer Beals did, so can you.
There's nothing more subtle or sexy than a bare shoulder. So, our next "must have" is a top or sweater that glides off your collarbone at just the right degree. As the Berlin wall tumbled down, this look falls down off your shoulders. So, get ready for a coupe de tat. Loewe featured fitted cream knits over modified poof skirts. While Dolce & Gabbana's crochet tank or sweater "Keep Fallin'" like Alicia Keys. Missoni's striped off the shoulder sweater harkens to be taken on a picnic and Valentino's lace or Costume Nationale's silk off the shoulder looks are ready for a night at the opera. Yves St. Laurent gave you more ethnic batik-like prints over slim pencil skirts for a funkier freer office feel. Lanvin opted for a sheer white off the shoulder tee on our favorite model Carmen Kass #19…
While we are on the subject of shoulders, one of the new erogenous zones...maybe it's not falling off but only clinging to one shoulder like at Versace's Fall 2002 show. A vibrant yellow one-shoulder dress with a slit would have made even Blondie blush in the 80's, but not Cameron Diaz. She grabbed a sheer black one-shoulder number and stole the show in Cannes for the sneak preview of her new Scorsese film, "Gangs of New York" with Leonardo diCaprio. While Mr. Armani for Emporio Armani featured a bricked wrap one shoulder dress, which was soft and free for cocktails or a dinner. At his Armani Collection, a one shoulder was strictly ballroom or black tie with asymmetrics and a bow. Givenchy layered the one shoulder look for a more eclectic yet retro look. At Ungaro the new brown chiffons just flowed like Grecian or Turkish togas for a look that was absolutely heavenly, while cinched and pinned at ever so crucial points by the stars and the moon.
If dancing the night away in your Gucci pumps is still your biggest priority or you're just dancing as fast as you can in your Jimmy Choo's to keep the bill collectors and your bosses at bay, walk the road to perdition like many politicians before you. Pick your platform and get on them…we are talking about shoes here after all. Sergio Rossi, Christian Louboutin, Guisseppe Zanotti, these European designers are who you need to know to keep your foreign policy intact. If you're beginning to plan your fall shoe summit, YSL and Ferragamo put just the right height under your twinkle toes. It's just the answer to keep up the pace and stay on your feet all day long. Dolce's slight platform will help balance the new heights to which the new stilettos are soaring and also look for a bit of a stacked heel. One's diet should be balanced, one's life should be in balance and now so should your shoes. Versace's fall ad campaign features about a 1/4 inch platform and precious metal hues of gold and silver for swinging singles and sexy moms. Prada is stepping out with about 1/2 inch platforms to help balance out the new very wide leg pants (a very comfortable pant you will be seeing a lot of this fall). Fashion and style, it's all about a balancing act of proportion over the top or subtlety. Celine's suede cutout platforms are perfect for days at the office or a romantic dinner. The silhouette can bring the little girl in you in Mary Janes or that feisty fighting spirit with more gladiator-style sandals. Ankle straps or slinky and strappy, these are no club kid platforms. These are ready to take you from red carpets with style to carpools with comfort.
As you take your urban chic self from appointment to appointment, running errands here and there, to and fro, how's a fashion maven to tote all her equipment? To layer your day and your look, try a great beret by Phillip Treacy or Dolce & Gabbana. To top off your look cover up with a cashmere cardigan or sweater vest from the TSE, Ralph Lauren or even Banana Republic for day, then a beaded or chain belt by Chanel or Jil Sander for out of the office meeting in the pm… Then once again fashion magician, VIOLA!! JP Tod's silver snakeskin clutch and some dangling diamond earrings and you are ready to step into evenings of style. But how do you carry it all around in style? The tote bag is your answer. Adrienne Vittadini and Chanel have classic quilted versions, which will even hold enough for a last minute weekend getaway. Hermès has glove-soft leather totes in autumn's richest colors... olive, wine and chocolate that are just delicious and without all the calories... Louis Vuitton in mustard and Bally in black. For a classic fashion connection to bring a little extra pattern to your life of style try Miu Miu's corduroy and cowprint tote with leather straps. Marni's always got a handle on hippie chic. Their cowprint bag has rope handles. Whether you are a happy homemaker, a bouncing Bohemian or the extreme executive, tote your new fashion finds from eBay in style this fall.
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