Ten Totally Wearable Trends for Fall
If back-to-school shopping annually breaks the bank, and your wallet (or your parent’s), then you’ll love this season’s versitile pieces that you can start shopping for now. These top ten trends for fall with have you in the scholastic mood in no time!
1. Denim
The back-to-school blues have never been so stylish; from “boyfriend” jeans with a relaxed leg to the latest “skinny” jeans, denim is setting the latest trends for fall. Urban Outfitters has a great pair of grey,skinny jeans by Lux for about $50. You can also find your classic favorites (the bootcut, straight leg, and flar) at Gap for an affordable price. Wait until their jeans go on sale, and you can make a killing for only $29 – or less – per pair. Don’t limit your denim to jeans; bags, boots, jackets, shoes, and miniskirts are denim-clad and fabulous! Hollister and Abercrombie and Fitch have trendy destroyed mini’s, but American Eagle’s denim skirts are somehow soft, with a vintage feel. They range from about $29.50-$45.00.
2. Military
Military-inspired pieces were introduced on the runways in Milan and New York last fall, but they are back with avengence. Gold aviators are perhaps the most accessible military piece, and they can help take an outfit from effortless to effortless-chice. Target has a great pair for only $13. Cargo and camo are two military styles that can become outdated if mixed with other last-season pieces. To keep your camo fresh, try a cropped pair with a flowing top, a few vintage necklace strands, and peep-toe heels.
3. Knits
Knits can translate into babydoll cardigans, hats, dresses, and bags; and they are the perfect touch of femininity. You can find a great kint capelet at Wal-Mart, by Metro7, for only $25. Mix this with a ruffle-necked victorian blouse, skinny jeans, and boots, and you will be the talk of the town. You can also find a retro, kit dress with eyelet trim from H&M for $50. This would be a great layering piece with a waist-cinching belt, cool leggings, lots of jewelry, and the always-popular ballet flat.
4. Grunge
From Nirvana’s leading man, Kurt Cobain, right into your closet, grunge is back! This comfy style screams “I don’t care what you think about me,” but also looks more pulled-together than going all-out hippie. Grunge is all about layering; thermals under slip dresses with a hoodie over that. Aeropostale has cute, button-up thermals for $20, but you can find thermals and henleys at any store imaginable. If you want to experiment with this trend without looking like Courtney Love during the Drug Years, try mixing in a pair of Converse high-tops or a plaid button-down shirt with your usual ensemble.
5. Rock Star
The 80’s are back, including the rock star phase with skulls, black jeans, and leggings. You can take one rock star-inspired piece (like a skull scarf) and pair it with a preppy top and straight-leg jeans, or you can chanel Pat Benetar with a tattoo printed tee (like the $22 version at Buckle), plaid mini, leggings, and red patent heels! Hot Topic is a great store for rock star inspiration, and they have affordable choices (like a $24 studded belt).
6. Gothic
While the term “goth” can sometimes seem frightening, embrace your darker side! You don’t have to carry around a vial of your lover’s blood around your neck to show how edgy you are; simply throw on a lace tie-neck bloude from Victoria’s Secret, for $58, with black pants, lace-up Victorian boots, and onyx jewels. Darker jewel tones will add a touch of color to this basically black look, but don’t add neon brights or pastels or you’ll end up looking like a fool instead of a… cool ghoul.
7. Collegiate
How appropriate for the collegiate, prep academy look to arrive just in time for the first day of school. Fitted blazers, pleated skirts, and rugby-striped polo shirts are all the rage. You can find hooded college sweatshirts for cheap at Steve and Barry, or you can go total collegiate with a look like Michael Kors’; striped polo with a crisp color, pleated miniskirt, matching footless tights, and loafer pumps. A great pair of shoes to top off this look would be Sam & Libby’s, at Macy’s, for only $49. For a more relaxed collegiate look, pair your preppy logo tee with easy-going khakis and worn-in loafers.
8. Plaid
Plaid is versitile, because it goes with most of the latest fall trends. From the collegiate mini to the grungey button-down, fashionistas everywhere are mad for plaid. Opt for a more grown-up, subdued plaid instead of the bright schoolgirl plaids you’re used to seeing. Tab-closure shorts, like those from Forever 21 or Belk’s, are great to pair with a vintage tee and metallic heels. You can also accessorize with plaid. Alltherageonline.com has a crafty, fabric-wrapped bangle for $15 and Lesportsac.com takes a trendy take on their classic nylon satchel with an eye-catching plaid pattern for $54.
9. Metallic
Metallic’s also made their debut last summer and fall, and they definitely have staying power. Ballet flats are a simply, chic way to incorporate a shiny hue into your outfit, as well as a simple gold clutch or bangles. As You Wish, a line found at Macy’s, has a beautifully flowing, gold lurex halter dress for $58. You can also mix metallics, and it’s not as tricky as you would think. Pair a cable-knit sweater top in pink (New York and Company has adorable versions for only $35) with navy and white striped shorts, silver ballet flats, and…a vintage-inspired gold necklace. Mix-It, a line offered at JCPenney’s, has great jewelry for this occasion.
10. English Country
Light, romantic blouses, tweed anything, and cotton sundresses with bring out the inner Englishwoman inside us all! The look is simple and understated, but utterly beautiful. It leaves something to the imagination. Bobby-j.com has a great pair of belted tweed cuffed shorts for $40 that you can mix with a lace-trimmed babydoll tank and round-toe heels. Earth-tones and light pink are appropriate colors for the trend, but American Eagle offers a $40 tie-waist full skirt that would look simply English and eye-catching with a pair of rubber boots!
