Last year is just that: so last year. As fashion-forward collegiettes™, we know it’s never too early to start thinking about what’s in our wardrobe for fall, but as we’re going through our overflowing closets, how are we to know whether those equestrian boots will last another season or if we should pack up those crop tops (again) from our pre-teen years?
Say goodbye to the go-to fall jacket you know you’ve worn for too many years in a row — it’s time to revamp your closet this upcoming season!
Neutrals
We were first introduced to the camel trend on the fall 2010 runways, and its popularity sparked an entire era of neutral shades: nudes, greys, blacks and off-whites followed quickly after. This fall, Alexander Wang proves the trend is here to stay with colors that are easy on the eyes, pushing boundaries by adding a chocolate hue to the lineup, and by doing the unthinkable: mixing brown and black.
Former “Hills” star Audrina Patridge rocks the neutral shade with a whole spectrum of nudes.
Why it works: Though none of the colors match any of the others exactly (the peachy blazer is a complete different color from the tan booties), every shade complements one another. When going neutral, wear darks with darks and lights with lights, with the exception of mixing light neutrals with blacks.
Get The Look:
Oversized Button-Up Top ($23) Forever 21
Full Maxi Chiffon Skirt ($30) Free People
Deena & Ozzy Chain Handle Tote Bag ($50) Urban Outfitters
Mossimo Pilar Strappy Wedge ($29.99) Target
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Utilitarian
Annie get your gun — and don’t forget those military pants! This season’s runways show that the utilitarian look is still going strong. Heavy boots, ponchos and jackets previously worn by men make up this trend. Sonia Rykiel’s fall 2011 collection features the dark mossy greens and greys that are emblematic of the utilitarian look. What’s different this year is that the ties, buckles and loose-fitting items have been cleaned up. Choose cleaner lines for an updated, modernized version of the trend.
UK television personality Alexa Chung gives credit where credit is due by taking the utilitarian look to where it first originated (where it was actually useful): on grimy grounds. And what’s utilitarian without Alexa, who practically invented the look? Mulberry, a designer known for promoting the trend, named a bag after her (similar to the one below). Luckily, we don’t have to muddy our boots up too much to get the same look!
Why it works: Alexa balances the look by layering the military-green jacket with a feminine top. Avoid pairing the jacket with camo pants and lace-up boots — as ready as you’ll look to kick butt, you’ll definitely be losing every “who wore it best” battle.
Get The Look:
Marc New York by Andrew Marc “Sonar” Hooded Anorak ($64) Nordstrom
Skinny Military Patch Pocket Pant ($55) Free People
Lorissa Pump ($124) Sam Edelman
Lady Satchel ($26) Nordstrom
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Color Accents
Neons took the stage this summer whether it was in the form of nail polish or full-on outfits. With all the neutrals taking over the fall season, though, it seems like there isn’t room for bursts of bright. Emanuel Ungaro proves otherwise. His fall line features pops of color (and coral is the it-color this season) among otherwise classic black attire.
Okay, so we probably won’t plan on picking up a dress like Dree Hemingway’s to wear around campus this fall; it’s the color combination between naturals and neons we’re coveting.
Why it works: Dree creates a perfect balance of color by dressing in more nude than yellow. She doesn’t allow the neutral to wash her out when she adds the subtle black of her shoes, making all the difference. Try the look with a dark accent such as a black blazer to complete the look.
Get The Look:
Poppy Crop Tee ($45) shopnastygal.com
Black Stripe Bodycon Skirt ($50) Topshop
Sandals ($8) H&M
Vintage Shoulder Bag ($30) Zara
Beaded Layers Necklace ($11) Forever 21
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Sheer/Lace
There’s nothing more feminine than lace, and nothing sexier than a sheer fabric — when worn right! This fall, we’ll be going over to the dark side with the transition from summer’s creamy laces to sultrier black ones. Temperley London’s lacy looks combine lace with a sheer fabric to create an outfit that’ll give off the nice girl impression, but one with a bit of mystery.
Emma Roberts gets sassy and sweet in this ensemble! She can’t go wrong with classic colors, and though ruching almost always makes dresses look more fit for high school prom than the red carpet, when combined with the lace down the sides and topped off with a bow, it serves to add enough texture so the dress does not resemble lingerie.
Why it works: Because the dress is so embellished with all things feminine, it’s important to keep the rest of the outfit simple, and Emma does just that with a pair of classic black pumps and a matching clutch.
Get The Look:
Black Widow Lace Dress ($39) Urban 1972
Pins and Needles Swirl Pattern Lace Top ($39) Urban Outfitters
Studio Taupe Suede Lattice Wedges ($140) Topshop
Dusty Pink Frill Twist Lock Bag ($55) Topshop
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Layering
The Olsen twins were far ahead of our game when they piled on layers, layers and more layers of seemingly whatever they could find in their closets. At the time it didn’t make sense, but after we got a taste of layering crop tops over maxi dresses this summer, we kind of get it now. Suddenly our legs look longer, the fabric falls over our body in flattering ways and we’ve hidden the fact that we didn’t get bikini-ready this season the way we promised ourselves we would. Helmut Lang brings us a new layering look with his asymmetrical cuts for fall. Changing up the lines of the outfit gives the look a bit of an edge.
From the front, it looks as if designer Whitney Port has simply thrown a sweater on over her maxi, but look again: the open-back sweater puts a twist on the top.
Why it works: Both the maxi and the sweater have a unique back, and the combination of low-back, ruffles, and open-back twist is complemented by a simple-looking front. The lines created by the v-like ruffle play into this upcoming fall’s asymmetrical layering look.
Get The Look:
Asymmetric Cotton-Jersey Tee ($45) theoutnet.com
Nude Asymmetric Midi Skirt ($40) Miss Selfridge
Qupid ‘Manual-02’ Wedge Bootie ($25) shopakira.com
Tan Leather Fringed Cross Body Bag ($66) Topshop
Goddess Rising Necklace ($30) modcloth.com
Green Sparkle Rock Ring ($25) Topshop
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White
This summer, the little white dress took the spotlight as the it-item of the season, and the white-hot trend is blazing its way right into fall. DKNY’s fall collection features white in all its glory: short- and full-length rompers, wide-legged pants, blazers and shorts are just among some of the bleached pieces. Though we wore our whites with bits of color and summer espadrilles, fall’s white look is completely whitewashed from head to toe.
Blake Lively has been rocking all white all season, from mini numbers to maxi dresses.
Why it works: Whether it’s lace or layers of chiffon, Blake’s looks feature added texture so that the lack of color doesn’t wash her out.
Get The Look:
Tiered Chiffon Dress ($68) shopnastygal.com
Peep-Toe Lace-Up Cutout Boots ($48) yesstyle.com
Rothko Cloche ($38) Goorin Bros. Hat Shop
Big Buddha Quilted Reversible Faux Leather Tote ($90) Nordstrom
With some of this fall’s biggest trends carrying on from this past season’s fashions, we can all be guilty as charged for wearing last year’s nude booties or summer’s neon pink crop top — but so long as you’re pairing them with fall’s updated colors and cuts, you’ll still be the chicest collegiette™ on campus. What fall fashion are you looking forward to flaunting?
Photo Sources:
http://www.elle.com/Runway/Ready-to-Wear/Pre-Fall-2011
http://www.polyvore.com