Fall Essentials

Those blistery hot summer days have come to an end and fall is finally here. My mind eagerly awaits the days where I'm able to slip on my favorite oversized sweaters accessorized with my favorite pair of boots and truly enjoy all the resplendent traditions and travels fall has to offer. This autumn season, I'm fantasizing about rich dark hues, leathers as soft as butter, and layers upon layers of texturized clothing. Fashion has many remarkable fall trends to offer us this season. With that being said, I have been weeding through the many trends and sorting through the must-haves when it comes to adding those special pieces to your fall/winter wardrobe. Below are items that I have chosen I feel are key features for not only my wardrobe but yours as well. Fall is about turning a new leaf in all aspects, so I hope you're just as excited as I am for this autumn season.

Oxblood: call it what you want: maroon, burgundy, brick red; this color is the new black in the fashion industry for fall and it is here to stay. Oxblood is a rich and unusual hue that can be added to anyone's wardrobe, and is a great transition color signaling summer to fall. Oxblood is great to mix and match with softer and lighter reds and denim hues, which is something that everyone should have in their closets. You defiantly will not go wrong with this color for the season.

Bomber Jackets: this season designers has been taking inspirations from menswear pieces, enter the bomber jacket. A layer that every woman will want to wear for this fall. Bomber jackets are a way to add some edge to your wardrobe and come in a variety of materials. The great thing about this piece is that you can wear it with a flirty dress or skirt during the weekdays and your favorite pair of denim jeans on the weekends. They are a great to style and add a unique touch with any outfit.

Leather Leggings: not only is leather beautiful and chic but it is something that will last in your wardrobe for years to come. This fall leather is making a respectable comeback. Leather leggings look great paired with oversized sweaters or chunky knits and add a unique twist of texture to your outfit. Leather however can be difficult to pull off for those that don't have super skinny legs. To look good in this trend avoid overloading your look, choose pieces with classic shapes, and little to no detailing.

Contrasting Collars: this season the collar is having a moment with it's ladylike iterations leading the way. Look for embellished or contrasting collars on shirts, sweaters, and dresses or even make your own Peter Pan collar to add to your style. This is a simple youthful trend that anyone can get away with wearing and an adorable accent to any outfit.

Printed Denim: for fall blue jeans have been pantsed. The silhouette remains the same, however, you will start to see denim in a range of bold hues, floral and animalistic prints, polka dots, and even photographic prints. Innovations in printing technology have lead designers to let this trend come to light this season. Printed denim is a fresh take on traditional styling to your outfits and is a versatile piece that your can dress up or down.

Ankle Boots: these boots are a stylish choice not only for fall but also for the span of the seasons to come. With a variety of colors and fabrics, ankle boots are unique and easy to pair with just about anything you will want to wear this fall. So think outside of the box the next time you are shopping for a great pair of boots and opt for the ankle boot rather than your traditional leather riding boots.

On point with peplum

Peplums are something to look forward to this fall when it comes to mega trends. This has been an ongoing for the past season, and I must say I'm head over heels in love with the peplum trend! As a self proclaimed fashionista myself, this style is the epitome of lady like sophistication and glamour. Peplums first made their start on the fashion scene in the late 80s-early 90s, popularly paired with those unforgettable shoulder pads. Today's peplum is slightly softer and romantic, less dramatic this its previous counterpart. What makes me so smitten about the peplum trend is that it accentuates and hides your hips at the same time. Oh and you ladies out there with god given small waists, this is also a dream style for you as well! The magical thing about the design aesthetic of the peplum is just about any woman, no matter shape nor size, can wear this look showing off your ladylike assets. This trend makes me drool in anticipation. Peplums are easy to dress up, but dress down as well, making them a versatile piece in your wardrobe. So set up your style with this trend. And note to self ladies: when you have a womanly figure and fashion hands you something that accentuates your figure and makes you look fab rather than the universally straight and narrow, take it, take lots of it and run with it. In this case dress with it.

Mad for Metallics

"People are stopping work to watch the show, you've got to give them good reason" says Christopher Bailey, Burberry's creative director. Oh and did Mr. Bailey give us more than just good reason for his Spring 2013 London Fashion Week Show. Over the years Burberry has transformed into more than just its distinctive tartan pattern and this show is meant to go down in fashion history. 

One thing that you could not escape from was color, Bailey served up an explosion of intense jewel tones, as well as, a heady mix of textures. Inspired from the 40s British glamour, Bailey's models strutted down the runway in high-wasted hot pants, ruched swimsuits, capes, and rounded sculptural shoulders that practically resembled a 40s-era screen siren with a modern day twist. 

The show was far from dated. Rainbow hued plastic caplets and handbags gave the overall setting a futuristic feel and look, as did, the metallic silk and leather trenches, bombers, and corseted dresses. Overall, there was a strong point of view to the slick and visually overwhelming show. The most jaw-dropping moment of all had to be when the models were sent out for their final walk in trenches dipped in metallic hues that could make you melt from the sight of them, literally. 

Thus far, London Fashion Week has offered an array of new and exciting trends for fashion mavens to dream about for the upcoming spring season. On that list, metallics (goodbye neon, hello metallic!) Burberry's version is a fresh and joyful must have on my list to add to your spring wardrobe. If only it would be so simple as to decide which color to choose. One for every day of the week would be ideal!

Watch the Show: http://us.burberry.com/store/shows/#/ss13-womenswear/show

Jason who?

Jason Wu. This past week my world has revolved around New York Fashion Week. Spending my snazzy time on every fashion site womankind can come across, emerging myself into the shows as if I was really in the city sitting front row and center. A girl can dream, can't she? Thus, comes the topic at hand. While NYFW has a few remaining days left, there was one show in particular that stood out to me and I just can't stop marveling about. 

Jason Wu, a young designer leaving a monumental impact on the industry. Wu's Spring 2013 show was influenced by the sexually charged photographer Helmut Newton and Lillian Bassman's dainty and kind photographs. Enter models poured into silhouettes fused with just the right amount of lace and leather, x-ray and peekaboo organza, body tracing-seams, and exquisite filmy dresses topped with leather harnesses. The outcome, a renowned sweetness that is erotically charged and truly stunning. 

And I have this to declare, Mr. Wu your god given talents have left many in this industry bewildered by how far you have come in these last four years. You continually outshine each of your collections. Sincerely making women feel empowered in your designs and letting your customer know that life is all about taking those chances. 

Watch the show: http://www.jasonwustudio.com/livestream.html