Fall Fashion Forecast

The leaves are not turning red quite yet, but already the newsstands are filled with bulky and glossy September issues full of fall trends and forecasts. So what are some of these predicted fall fashion trends? Resident fashion expert here in the city, Erica Wark of Erica on Fashion is really looking forward to what the autumn weather will bring. She states, “this season is especially exciting simply because there is SOOO much choice! From pops of hot pink to tones of saphire jewels, leather leggings to shearling jackets, plaid A-line skirts to tweed ponchos, this fall has every woman’s name on it! My favorite to come out of this season has to be all of the hot colours in cashmere and the high-waisted dress pants – love the Mad Men influence and the Chanel inspired sweater jackets.”

A new fashion season, as exciting as it is, can also be a little overwhelming especially in terms of all the available choices. As a result, I have compiled a list and some advice from the city’s fashion experts on what’s hot, what’s cool and what’s in demand for the upcoming fall season.

Bold Prints:

This fall season, it seems that wearing anything from floral to animal to geometric prints is a safe bet! Jackets, pants, purses and accessories are all the rage in various not-so-subtle and bold designs. Blanket coats, ski sweaters and jewellery in geometric shapes and designs seem to be making a big come-back this fall. High-end designers such as Derek Lam, Marc Jacobs and Isabel Marant have resurrected this trend for the fall but never fear because your wallet need not cry. Plenty of ready-to-wear accessible brands such as H&M, Forever 21 (soon to be in the Rideau) and Zara are all following suit.

If floral is what you desire, then you are in luck. Flower-patterened jeans, tops, accessories and even purses are the rage for the fall season. Check out any Winners in the city for a wide selection of anything floral. It seems that although the cool air and orange leaves may be blowing in, flowers (at least in fashion-form) may be here for a little while longer!

Zebra, leopard, tiger print OH MY! For the safari-lovers out there: animal prints are huge for the fall. Although animal prints can be ‘loud’ and overwhelming, if paired  with a basic and solid colour any outfit can be ‘tamed’.

Bold Fabrics:

This fall season is all about texture, especially when in comes to fabrics. Fur (preferably faux), leather, wool and even lace are all on the menu. In the words of Emma Truswell, OLM’s fashion intern: “Although I would never wear real fur, the psychedelic furs trend is a fun way to stay warm as the months get colder. I love the bright colours at Celine and Gucci, and am dying to get my hands on a faux fur jacket for fall!” Parkas trimmed with fur are all the rage for the cool autumn months especially when teamed with a pair of knee-high leather booties and an over-sized tote to match.

Structured wool coats with fur accents are also a must to keep you warm and snug during the cooler fall weather. Plus, quarter-lenght wool coats look amazing when paired with a knee-length dress and high-heeled boots. Many jackets and sweaters also come in bold shapes, which is a very popular trend for this fall. Julie Lan of Popchampagne Blog writes, “I am in love with oversized sweaters for this fall, they’re cozy, comfortable and can look completely chic with a great pair of booties or wedges.”

Lace…an unexpected choice for fall given the ‘lightness’ of the material, but this season lace in any form is HOT! Perhaps lace’s popularity has risen due to the influence of the House of Alexander McQueen’s last collection or maybe it is because of the sheer sexiness of the fabric. Whatever the reason, a little bit of lace in any outfit is a sure bet this fall.

Bold Colours:

Solid and bright colours will not only dot the fall landscape but also the closets of many fashion enthusiasts. Orange, emerald, violet and indigo are just some of the bold hues to gravitate towards in the upcoming months. These can act as the perfect compliment to any bold print or fabric (mentioned above). Bold colours can be tricky, however, and too many colour combinations can result in an overtly busy look. So try to pair your bold orange or violet with a neutral print or subtle colour. Angie Fisher , designer and founder of Demu Label advises; “both bold colours and bold prints are great when done in moderation! But always try and balance an outfit. A rule of thumb when wearing bold colors, a maximum of two bold colors is best, and preferably complimentary (ex : blue and orange) and if other colors are ever added, they should always be neutrals.” Angie also asserts that this simple rule translates to bold prints as well:  “The same rule can apply to patterns. Always pair a bold pattern with a solid to avoid making your outfit look confused and complicated.”

Bold Gold:

Finally, my personal favourite fall trend: Gold! Luckily for any gold fan, this particular look is being continued on from the summer months. This is especially good news for anyone who loves anything shiny and glittery. Gold, although usually associated with jewellery, in this case can be expanded to one’s wardrobe and make-up. It’s the perfect colour/metal to accessorize any outfit but it can also be a focal point too. Designer Rachel Sin, for example, showcased a daring but beautiful glittery gold jacket in her latest collection and Miu Miu just came out with some very bold but gorgeous gold heels. Gold eye shadow and nail polish can also be seen dotting the various cosmetic counters of Sephora and Shopper’s Drugmart, so if subtle is more your style you can forgo the bold/gold jacket in favour of some glittery make-up. Lastly, gold jewellery can act as an accent piece to any ensemble. A simple ring or pendant, earrings or bracelet, can complete any outfit this fall.

That concludes this fall fashion forecast, complete with a little bit of advice from some local fashion experts. However, just like with most fashion advice, this list is neither exhaustive nor final, so take what you can from it and make it your own! As blogger and stylist Justyna Baraniecki cleverly said when asked about her favourite fashion trend: “My favorite trend for fall? I’d love to see an un-trend.  I’m not a fan of trends, I say wear what you like and what feels good.  Trends fade but developing your own unique sense of style is always in fashion.” I think this is probably the best advice for the fall!