By Mary Bailis

Fashion week is over in New York City and fall styles have been released. It always amazes me to be talking about fall styles when spring has not even sprung yet. Here it is! Colors are dark and neutral but accessories are sizzling and spruce up those colors of the evening. There is plenty to keep from this winter season and plenty to get rid of.

Let us start with colors. Think of nightfall when it comes to fall color according to Pantone. The colors are very dark and neutral. Black is always in, dominated the runways by far from other colors. Brown known this season as Italian plum is still big. You will see a touch of garnet, spicy orange and purple drab. You may have to look hard, but they will be there. There will also be doe, a taupe color and griffin, good old gray. The color that tops all and is a must have for the season is deep cobalt, otherwise known as navy. Navy is being paired with all of the above including brown. You will see navy sweaters with brown skirts. Black dominated but had a touch of one of the colors above added to the outfit. There was plenty of play with different shades of black; it is not just solid black this season. Find it in shears, embroidery, and used in all different ways.

So pack away your blacks and browns from this season and pull them out in the fall. Add to your wardrobe plenty of navy and a touch of gray. There will be a touch of animal prints. Leopard is always a popular choice but zebra is the season's hottest choice. Get a short zebra pencil skirt (along with a black one) with a black or brown sweater or a jacket with faux fur trim; add opaque black tights and knee high boots and you are on your way to being in fashion for the fall. Remember a little animal print goes a long way. You want it to accentuate your outfit not overpower it.

Spring fashions have brought in a-line skirts, full skirts and bubble skirts. These will be carried over into the fall so hold on to them. The fall will add mini and short pencil skirts. Black pencil skirts are a staple for your wardrobe. Shirt dresses and sheaths are back and looking very sophisticated. Dresses have been making a come back the past year and are still riding on that trend. Grey trousers are a must have addition. Pants waistlines are on the rise, still at the hips but not as low as they were. Pair them up with a great fabric belt with a fancy buckle to set it off. No more boot leg cut, skinny pants and jeans are in. Hold on to the jackets, they are still a big item. Velvet and suede jackets are hot as well as any with faux fur collars. Cashmere coats trimmed in faux fur or shearling will be a great luxury item.

Colors and clothing for fall are the styles of the night. So drab you say? Not really, they are sexy, feminine and sophisticated. Accessories and embellishments will set them apart and make them exciting. This will be the year for fabulous accessories that will bring those nighttime colors into the day. Of course, they light up the evenings also.

Print-friendly version