Fall Fashion- Trends

Despite my recent struggles with writing I am fully revived and ready to go on the next topic: fall fashion extravaganza 2011!

Before we get to the goodies (and there are plenty) it’s important to let you know that I’m not just making this stuff up. Yes, I spend 90% of my time wearing these and a boy’s undershirt but I was once a buyer for a major department store and, more importantly, used to design costumes for Cher while watching the Sonny and Cher show (I was giving her cutout midriffs before Bob Mackie even knew what they were). Fashion is my passion!

If my past accomplishments are not enough know this: I personally read the September issues of Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, InStyle, More, and Town & Country and perused numerous fashion websites in preparation for these next posts. Yes, I have tendonitis from the weight of the magazines but that’s the kind of person I am- always thinking of others.

Let’s get to it! There is so much to look at I thought it would be best to start with broad strokes so here is my take on some of the key trends this fall. If you are in the mood to shop then you should be thinking about adding one piece to your wardrobe from each of these categories. If shopping is not your thing there are still lots of pretty pictures to look at.

This list is not comprehensive (even unemployed people need to sleep) so if you're thirsting for more head over to my friend Sue’s blog. She’s a fashionista as well and she actually gets to buy and wear cute clothes as she’s employed (sigh).

Remember, this is just the beginning. Check in tomorrow when I look at two of my favorite American classic designers: Donna Karan and Michael Kors.

Menswear can be tricky because there is a tendency to make it boxy which is not flattering to many women (me). This year there were some real standouts starting with the classic glen plaid dress of Yves Saint Laurent to his tailored blazer dress with silk blouse  (right). Menswear fabric perfectly designed for a woman. Hermés (middle) offers a clean elegant, impeccably tailored coat dress, and Derek Lam takes casual mens with classic trousers but adds a perfect pop of color with a long red peacoat. Even accessories are in on the act with modified suede and leather oxfords from Alexander Wang and a new twist on wrap bracelets with a chic black belt accentuated with gold dragons on the buckle.

Lace- what's not to love? The looks for fall spanned ladylike with Oscar de la Renta's dresses(left) to more dangerous with Tom Ford's lace dress and elbow length fingerless gloves. The black on white ribbon and buttons provide a bit of edge to the soft dress. Lace also made it's way into accessories with Tom Ford's lace embroidered suede pumps and a Balenciaga lace detailed leather clutch. For day to night Jason Wu did lace blouses that go from office to cocktails.

Collared dresses in black and white make chic dressing effortless. No worries about what else to wear except a hit of color in your accessories. Louis Vuitton embraced this loko in a big way for fall with two very different looks- one more retro with a wide nun's bib and cutout lace (upper left) and the other avant-garde with short sleeves in an A-line and an almost metallic heavy cloth. Rachel Antonoff (lower left) and Donna Karan (upper right) went with softer looks and simpler silhouettes for a more ladylike look.

Blush: You might not think of this for fall but it s the perfect accompaniment to fall's neutrals. Blush with either grey or tabac is beautifully chic and flattering to any skin type. Both Armani (left) and L'Wren Scott (right) had fabulous blush coats with Armani embracing amazing texture and Scott keeping it simple and structured. Rochas did a wonderful blush/rose tote in a metallic leather- so unexpected in a fall purse. Carelle's beautiful pendant would work well on any of the open neck blouses seen at Donna Karan or Emilio Pucci.

These Christian Dior earrings take blush and make it a little rough. I LOVE these earrings.

Armani's suede and lace (2 trends at once!) blush pumps would take classic grey flannel trousers to a sexy new level.

All images from Elle Runway, Style, and Harpers Bazaar.