Runway to you
Mix, match, layer, colour and repeat. Follow this formula for fall fashion and you’ll be right on trend. While it’s tough to turn the page on our spectacular summer, there’s no halting Mother Nature. And with this season’s chic, accessible looks, why would you want to? The good news is that strong colours, which dominated spring/summer wardrobes with bright, neon shades, remain vibrant as we march into cooler temperatures.
“Fall fashion trends favour warm shades and mixing patterns and textiles,” says Ottawa fashion journalist Erica Wark. “Glamour during the day, statement jewelry pieces, turtlenecks, ponchos, edgy tights and colour are some of the big trends this season.” Top colour picks include rich tones like raspberry, blackberry and blueberry, emerald green and deep wine hues in crimson and bordeaux. Camel, which pairs well with any shade, remains a staple for any fall wardrobe.
Wark covered fashion week in New York, Toronto and Ottawa last winter to keep abreast of the trends for the fall/winter fashion season. She has created four looks shown here to demonstrate fall trends and has chosen clothing currently available in Ottawa stores.
“It’s fun to push the boundaries when building an outfit,” says Wark, who is the face of Ottawa’s St. Laurent Centre.
“Layering in the fall adds more dimension to your outfit and is a great way to stress your own individuality. Don’t be afraid to mix and match unexpected colours and patterns when layering.”
In model Heather Delaney’s first look, Wark pulled various colours from a striped top to build the outfit starting with boyfriend-style Gap cords in an orange/red hue. (The pants can be rolled up now for fall and tucked inside a riding boot in the winter.) To add balance to the bright colours, Wark choose a classic camel coat and a chocolate tweed blazer.
“In mixing the textures, the cashmere-blended wool coat mixes well with the cord, the faux pony fur flats, the matte leather bag and cotton knit top. The key to mixing patterns is to make sure that one of the colours stays the same in every piece.”
Wark captures several must-have fall trends in her first eye-catching look, which includes a fetching fedora, turtleneck, plenty of bling or arm candy, pretty prints and hits of colour.
“Glamour isn’t just for night anymore. Jewelry statement pieces such as chunky necklaces and arm candy featuring lots of bracelets and cuffs can be worn during the day. When in doubt, add a fedora.”
Wark wears Houndstooth print on her pants and scarf, while her patent shoes and handbag are in a bordeaux shade.
If you want to avoid being a fashion disaster, she recommends that when adding two items from the same print always wear one larger than the other.
In Heather’s second outfit, Wark opted to create a ’70s-inspired look with a fabulous fringed poncho, flowy wide-length silk floral pants and mixed together three patterns/textures:
stripes, floral and eyelet.
“All of the textures give the outfit so much dimension. The poncho has a zipper on it so you can see what’s going on underneath. There’s a long-sleeve turtleneck in a beautiful perforated eyelet knit. The blue from the striped poncho is carried on in a blue from the pant, blue platform shoes and the short sleeve top. The purple bag is paired with a purple bangle.”
Erica’s second ensemble is all about glamour with a flattering white peplum, sexy black fringed skirt, edgy tights and statement belt. The slightly oversized army green coat is a nod to this fall’s military trend.
“I’ve basically taken a black-and-white outfit and added layers, texture, jewelry and hints of colour. There is so much variety for fashionistas this fall.”
Gentlemen, layering isn’t just for the ladies this season. You, too, can update your look with contemporary fabrics such as a canvas jacket, denim dress shirt or trying a straight-leg coloured cord.
“Men are finally catching up in terms of choices this fall season. With new dress shirt prints like ikat, batiks and paisleys, men can put their classic checks away — finally!
“Don’t forget the bow tie and luxe velvets for evening: nothing says dapper quite like a velvet tuxedo blazer,” Wark says.
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