Fall is right around the corner and you know what that means. No, not welcome week, or the return of the pumpkin spice latte, or stocking up on mechanical pencils (am I normal?), but the crème de la crème of all that excites me about autumn: the clothes. Nothing thrills me more than saying goodbye to short shorts (and the need to shave my legs so regularly) and sandals and trading them in for sleek pants, cuddly sweaters, colorful jackets, boots, and the like.
But with the excitement of the new season comes a wave of apprehension because, as you may have noticed, fall fashions change every year as surely as the colors of the leaves. How do you know what’s “in” and what’s “out” though? Don’t hyperventilate just yet—your solution is right here. So sit back, sip that soon-to-be-spiced-with-pumpkin latte, and enjoy this go-to-guide to find out what’s hot (and what’s not) for fall 2012.
Colors
What’s Hot Now
A Rich, Deep Color Palette
The time has come to exchange some of your neons for more dramatic, autumnal hues. “Whereas last fall the colors were centered around bright jewel tones, we now see a richer, more pure palette,” Boston-based stylist Elizabeth Kamm says. She adds that “oxblood/rich burgundy, navy and black, and winter white” are the “major colors that we will see in our favorite stores come fall.” Salvador Camarena, the founder of Fashionsalvation.com and a stylist for Chelsea Lately and several red carpet events, explains, “the colors for fall 2012 have evolved from past seasons into more of a sophisticated and rich color palette. Yet, the colors are still vibrant and bold—fall’s 2012 colors hold more of a mature sensibility.” He specifically recommends “bold reds, black, white, deep greens, vibrant blues, and slate grays.”
Gold
Go for the gold this fall. Katie Schuppler, Personal Style Consultant of KS Style Consulting points to “gold and bronze metallic on blazers and dresses as details or embellishments,” while Kamm notes that gold has been shown as “embellished embroidery on sleeves or collars, or interwoven in fabrics from denim to wool.”
“Any gold, rose-gold or metallic accessories I would definitely keep. Trust me on this one!” Camarena says. Whether it’s a pair of gold shoes adorning your feet, a set of gold bangles clanking on your wrist, or gold accents embellishing your bags and clothes, there are plenty of ways to add this luxe color to your fall wardrobe.
What’s Still Hot
White
White is always big come summer and had a strong presence last fall, so hopefully you’ve got yourself a few white tops and bottoms to bring into fall 2012 because the color is hotter than ever. The stylists mention that all-white ensembles were huge during this year’s Fall Fashion Week. If you’re hesitant about wearing your white pants past Labor Day or dressing head to toe in one color, try out a white blazer or sweater to get the effect in a subtler way.
Tangerine
“The bright citrus orange/tangerine is a great color to keep for fall,” Kamm says. “It's a great pop of color that offers a wonderful contrast to fall tones like burgundy, chocolate browns, and caramels. It looks amazing with wool blends in earth tones.” If tangerine is not your favorite tint, you don’t have to give up on orange altogether—peach, burnt orange, or pumpkin (duh) all work for fall.
What’s Cooling Off
Bright Jewel Tones
You already heard it from the experts. While bright pieces and accents can still be worn in fall for a cheerful burst of color—such as a turquoise statement necklace, a peach blazer, or brightly colored shoes—try focusing on adding deeply colored pieces to your wardrobe too for a more mature, haute vibe.
Cherry red
Cherry red—like Maraschino cherry—was in last fall, but now that deeper hues are taking over, the red to rock this fall will be tinted more like a real cherry—darker, richer, deeper.
