2010 | Fall Favorites
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010
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Aviator Jacket | Burberry
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The 60s
Louis Vuitton
One of my fav things that happened this season, is the re-emergence of clothing designed for the average person, i.e. people with some sort of manner of three dimensional shape, rather than the 2D, if-you-turn-sideways-you-will-disappear ones.
Perhaps this was wildly influenced by Mad Men (wikked show), but whatever it was – Thank you and Amen. Everyone with curves, let me hear you roar for this is hourglass season. Slightly longer hems (below the knees), full circle and curve-hugging silhouettes run the route. I wasn’t ever really good at history, science was more my thing, but I believe this is decidedly an early 60s trend, (not to be confused with the mod 60s)… could very well be late 50s. Either way….
1. Full skirts
(below-the-knee circle skirts) ala Betty Draper [Mad Men]
2. ‘Granny’ skirts
usually mid-calf, pleated or gathered with a flowing easy hemline, that falls rather than sticks out like those cotton candy skirts, much like Peggy Olsen [Mad Men]
Of course the #1 thing with pulling these two types of skirts off is to have a close fitting blouse. The last thing a curvy girl needs to be be voluminous on the top AND the bottom. You’d be 3D alright, but more cylinder than hourglass.
3. Sheath skirts and dresses.
Definitely Joan Holloway [Mad Men]. The ultimate in sophisticated femininity.
*Snap*
For those of us *cough* who find it difficult to get the sheath dress to fit just quite right, you can always try a wrap dress that looks like a sheath one.
or try a high-waisted pencil skirt. This also works this trend quite nicely.
For the more daring the peg-top skirt (full at the waist with pleats or darts, then it tapers narrowly down to the hem) is a good look. If you have a lot of ‘assets’ this may be a tricky look to pull off, largely because it never fits right. I’d say stick with the pencil.
Accessorize. Accessorize.
A costume is not complete without the fandangles.
If you are going to choose such statement looks, accessorize like you mean it. This way you don’t look like you’re stuck in a time warp. Can’t carry a 60s vixen look with 90s contemporary trimmings. Come on now.
1. Kitten heels
The anti-FMP.
Was never really a fan but… I guess I understand their purpose. Shoes then were more functional and less glamour, as women actually walked very long distances to and from work with them, hence the lower heels like these Pradas:
My problem is that I walk horridly in them. Go figure. Throw me 6″ stilettos and I’m on easy street. Kitten heels and I will twist my ankle. Automatic. For some reason my brain mistakes them for flats.
Functionally fab, Givenchy and all.
2. Wide-waist cinching belts.
Every curvy girl ought to know that this is her longest standing bff by now.
3. “Sexy” Hair
i.e. confused.
“I’m neat, but I’m messy. I’m styled, but not really. I’m slick, but I’m pouffy.
It’s that way purposefully.
Don’t judge me.”
4. Red lips
Fire engine red specifically. Not everyone’s cup of coffee. Roger that.
You can update this look and make it yours by opting for any of the season’s various berries.
Cherry, plum, grape, blue… choose a bold berry that works for you. Just remember the darker the berry… the more stern the look. This is a high maintenance look so eat and drink with caution. For tips on applying/ wearing bold lip colour see post Lady in Bold.
Okay. So it may be obvious that the that’s my top look pick for the season. However other trends worthy of mentioning include:
The 70s
This look also combines high-waisted, wide-legged trousers and ‘blousey’ shirts with neckties. The Power struggle between masculine and feminine continues. Works well for a day/ office/ working-girl look.
Above, from left: Gianfranco Ferre, Akris, Salvatore Ferragamo, Balmain.
At nights? Lots and lots of shimmer and shine. Gold, lame, bold looks.
Leather
It’s Fall after all… leather can hardly be considered a trend as it’s always present in this season.
Head to toe leather? Definite overkill.Works best when you mix it in with other trends like…
Lace
A definite shoo-in for “Holiday Season” swag.
Before you reach for your grandmother’s lace, take a small time out. If you are thinking of the 90s all-over, stretch lace… wrong still. This lace has been updated, and normally it’s the ONLY layer. Yep, that’s what I said.
Ya girl Eva ‘Marcille’ at the Z100 Jingle Ball 2010 hits this one home in this number… with cut out shoes.
So… naturally this automatically eliminates some of us from rocking this trend, or at least it should…. Know your limits with respect to size…. and body tone.
For the more conservative, try pieces with sheer panels rather than a full sheer number. This can work too.
Cut outs
This was pretty big in Spring 2010, so I guess it wasn’t ready to leave. If you live in a country that has a pseudo winter go right ahead. I can hardly imagine this in my -30 degree weather. But more than clothing cut outs have extended itself to accessories, as well as shoes. Kinda reminds me of an updated colour block, but so long as you don’t wear a mustard and purple combo, you should be alright.
See the discussion of the cut out trend for Spring 2010 somewhere in this post Spring/ Summer Getups 2010.
Velvet
I’ve seen this one floating around, and I try not to pay too much attention to it.
Velvet is definitely one of those fabrics that you either love or despise. You either get it or don’t. It can be pretty masculine and/or overwhelming when worn, so ensure that your pieces are classic, and well tailored, a la Halle Berry here in her September 2010 VOGUE spread.
And remember, velvet not velour.
In case you were wondering, a tracksuit doesn’t qualify as a ‘classic’ piece. Jenny left the block at least a decade ago.
The last trend worthy of mentioning…
Military
This comes back pretty frequently, perhaps because it never really leaves. Being a classic stiletto girl myself, I’ve never really paid this trend much attention BUT, I’m REALLY feeling it this year. Probably because they’re now military inspired rather than straight from the training camp. Less 18th century, more 20th century. More understated and functional, less… lashing-y. This goes for both male and female style.
Never got into the camouflage print, and I’m still not feeling it, sorry. Army green is the big colour for the military trend, but there’s also the navy option, which I’d opt for. A navy military jacket. Yum.
Another take on the military trend is the ‘Aviator’ inspiration, my fav largely because sleek, slim cuts work best for me than say… a cargo pant. Army green can have a tendency to make some of us look sallow. In this case we can go straight for the darker brown hues that are typically associated with the aviator trend – shearling lined, sleek leather jackets et al., much like the feature photo above. THESE ‘military’ takes I can do.
Talking about shearling, how about these fur babies?
Toundra Fur Boots | Louboutin
Sick.
But I digress.
Military boots. My word, military boots. It’s all about the laces. Male or female (high or low heeled) military boots are definitely the way to go. And after all, we aren’t REALLY going into combat are we guys? Right. No we aint. So less Caterpillar-esq and more…
All Saints Military-esq.
They look pretty fly on females too…
Not quite sure what Ms. Keri baby is promoting here, but…. the boots look nice.
Ladies if laces aren’t your thing, properly placed metal (less punk rock studs more biatch in charge) will suffice fabulously. Like these Alexander McQueens here.
Kick. Ass.
‘Must be a power thang.
b Freakin’Fabulous