Fall is for fashion lovers each drop in temperature a handy excuse to throw on yet another layer. Where the diaphanous, pastel palette of summer is fashions famine, fall is its veritable feast, tailor-made for substantive fabrics, contrasting textures and saturated colours.
Of course, these days, whats in and whats out of fashion seems as subjective as which blog is in or out. As we all know, opinions are like black shoes everyones got them. Whether cheap and cheerful or a credit card-hobbling splurge, a few trends have nonetheless emerged this season. Here are five trends for men and women weve marked as the ones to buy (and buy into) in the coming months.
WORK IT OUT
Workwear detailing has taken off in suiting, with white-collar suits by Hermès, Ferragamo and Gucci getting little jolts of blue-collar practicality. Look for outward, visible pockets, minimal embellishments and slightly less streamlined, roomier construction. This will be a welcome change for men who tried to squeeze their calves and thighs into pants seemingly cut for gangly, pre-pubescents. A fave piece to build this look around is the zip-up cargo vest by Vancouver-based Wings + Horns.
JACKET REQUIRED
A look so intrinsically Vancouver that even the most remedial fashion dude can pull off. 1) Put on your favourite cozy sweater or hipster Cowichan. 2) Layer with a more formal sport coat or blazer. 3) Add jeans and kicks for casual look, or pants and a leather shoe for a more formal feel. 4) Repeat whenever you feel like throwing on a hoodie.
INDOCHINO Basic Black Suit, $349 (Indochino.com); WINGS + HORNS Zip-Front Cargo Vest, available at Roden Gray, $195; WINGS + HORNS, Flannel Oxford BD Shirt, available at Roden Gray, $250; VESTAL Observer Watch from Watch It!, $200 (WatchIt.ca); POINTER Footwear Tanju Comme des Garçons Shoes, $249.99.
ORANGE YOU GLAD?
Whether orange is a difficult colour to pull off or a universal shade that looks good on everyone is a question youll have to answer for yourself, all while staying on trend. Etro, Lanvin and Ferragamo all dove into the pumpkin patch this year with discount retailers like H&M opting for hints of camel in outerwear and bright tangerine in more disposable (read: cheap) accessories. And even more economical: if you followed our style advice last season, you already have some orange pieces in your wardrobe to carry through.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
From Gaps plaited waffle knits to Junya Watanabes jacket-take on the ski sweater, menswears obsession with all things Nordic this season is just the type of cultural pastiche John Galliano might have played with had he not gone all anti-Semitic and unemployable last year. Chunky knits featuring bold patternss will look just as good warming up by one of Whistlers après-ski fires as they will under the streetlights in Gastown.
LUCK BE A LADY
If the hype over the recent Mad Men collection for Banana Republic is any indication, ladylike looks will finally take flight. Nipped waists (finally, a chance to show off all those Bar Method classes youve been taking!), jackets with peplums, button-up blouses with bow-tie details, and knee-length skirts are key, as are finer fabrics like lace and silk. Look to, well, Janie Bryant, the Mad Men costumer designer behind the Banana Republic collaboration or Vancouver-based designers Obakki and Jacqueline Conoir for some well-executed examples.
Brooklyn: HUSSEIN CHALAYAN Black Tailored Jacket, available at Gravity Pope Tailored Goods, $899; OBAKKI Monica Blouse, $220; PAUL SMITH Black Label Tailored Trousers, available at Gravity Pope Tailored Goods, $179.99; LOVER/FIGHTER Necklace, available at Violet Boutique, $160; PAUL & JOE SISTER Minnie Belt, available at Violet Boutique, $79.50; ALEXANDER WANG Lydia Ostrich-effect Leather Clutch, available at Roden Gray (RodenGray.com), $531; POUR LA VICTOIRE Irina Suede Platform Pump, available at Gravity Pope Shoes, $265. Hamish: INDOCHINO Ultimate Gray Suit Jacket (sold as suit only) $369 (Indochino.com); WINGS + HORNS Handknit Cowichan Duffle Vest, available at Roden Gray, $460; COMUNE Grey Wool pant, $104; COMUNE Black Wax Taylor Travel Bag from Eugene Choo (EugeneChoo.com) and El Kartel (ElKartel.com), $120; BOSS Orange by Hugo Boss Daytona Boot, available at Gravity Pope Shoes, $395.
TUX LUXE
If looking like a lady who lunches isnt really your thing, try an outfit that epitomizes the opposite vein: a tuxedo. Forget looking like a man, though this seasons suits are sharp but still refined. Designers channelling Marlene Dietrich and Yves Saint Laurents le smoking run the gamut from The Row and Hermès to Michael Kors and Derek Lam. And you can always count on Stella McCartney to produce a brilliant blazer. Locally, Oak + Fort has white blouses that will fit under a tailored jacket beautifully, while Dace offers mens shirt-inspired dresses that look fresh, and feminine.
ORANGE YOU GLAD? (Redux)
Fashion editors like to declare a new It colour each and every season mostly because it justifies their existence. This years orange crush is no exception. Sure, fall always sees its share of harvest-inspired colours (some even have names to match: aubergine, anyone?), but ginger shades actually do look fresh this fall. Ranging from reddish-orange (some might even argue that red is trending more than orange, but when is red not a hot colour?) to darker rust tones, the key to not looking like a carrot is to pick just one orange piece: a jacket, a blouse, a stylish topper, or even a pair of gloves.
Hamish: PS by Paul Smith Red Knit Sweater, available at Gravity Pope Tailored Goods, $319; A.P.C. Navy Chino Trousers, available at Gravity Pope Tailored Goods, $240; BAND OF OUTSIDERS Striped Button-Down Collar Shirt, available at Gravity Pope Tailored Goods, $249; POINTER Footwear, Conor Camel Shoes, $199.99. Brooklyn: CACHAREL Cayenne Day Dress, available at Gravity Pope Tailored Goods, $389; CACHAREL Printed Silk dress (worn underneath), available at Gravity Pope Tailored Goods, $899; VESTAL Electra Jelly Watch from Watch It!, $120 (WatchIt.ca); H&M Opaque Tights, $12.95; MARC by Marc Jacobs Round-Toe Platform Boot, available at Gravity Pope Shoes, $420.
LOOKING DOTTY
Polka dots are having their heyday. Stella McCartneys fall collection was perhaps best summed up by the body-conscious black dress with mesh polka dot insert running down the left side. Louise Gray and Marc Jacobs also saw spots, showing models with painted-on polka dots on their faces and head-to-toe looks in the print. Too childish-looking for you? Try wearing a polka dot accessory like a small clutch or scarf, or go with a subtle, tone-on-tone polka dot print instead.
GILD THE LILY
They say the recession is over, and while the economy sure isnt what it was pre-2009, were glad to see that at least fashion has re-embraced the rich rich-looking fabrics, that is. From gold brocade dresses and metallic-toned accessories (Alexander Wang has designed some amazing silver heeled oxfords) to lush furs, both real and faux, show off your (fashion) worth by choosing luxurious looks. Even Joe Fresh has gotten in on luxe with a mini skirt embellished with metallic ribbon and silk flowers.
