I admit Fall in the desert doesn’t lend well to Fall fashion. It’s still 100 degrees here and it stays around that temperature until Halloween. The idea of wearing sweaters or even boots before then leaves me looking silly. We are not even traveling anywhere this year that lends to Fall clothes but this does not take the enjoyment out of flipping through the pages of the big Fall rags. I always get ideas of how to put things together or what colors and patterns are popular. This year was an interesting year of hideous ads, the discussion around faux fur versus fur and how sustainable designers are coming out in droves. Here is my edit of Fall fashion 2018.
Levis. If the desert weather ever left me needing a jacket this would be my pick for the year. I love everything about it. The red color and pattern contrast against the denim. The flexibility of it – I mean you can wear this jacket with anything. It’s a modern take on what I grew up with! It also looks like she is tucking it in so maybe it’s a denim top? Well either way it’s sold out so ho-hum.
I read an interesting article about whether faux fur or real fur is more sustainable. Faux fur is generally made from acrylic, a synthetic material made from a non-renewable resource that can take hundreds of years to biodegrade in a landfill (animal fur, by contrast, biodegrades in just a few years). The petroleum-based synthetic is also harmful to wildlife and the environment overall. I’m 100% against using animals for clothing and not wearing fur coats is about as easy as it gets to be kind to our furry friends. There are also alternatives to the dangerous synthetic materials. Ksenia Schrader designed a upcycled and shredded denim fur coat I find fabulous! The fur versus faux fur battle is real. We should all care and understand what are clothing is made of and frankly, where it is made.
Missoni. I have always loved the patterns and colors and the hippie vibe this designer presents. When I flip through these pages I always wonder where people actually wear these pieces? The coat here is definitely wearable but where does one wear this hyperactive suit?
Calvin Klein. Known for clean lines and classic pieces . . . what he is he trying to sell here? A knit hood? A tin foil dress? White leather looking mittens? Whatever it is I’m not sold.
Lanvin. I’ll never grow out of my Madonna days where you could wear combat boots with lace and frills. Such a simple, subtle dress makes the boots the statement piece here. I do all I can to find leather alternatives in my shoes and boats and it is possible! Lanvin knocks offs are out there!
Gucci. What is going on here? Need I say more? I don’t even want that bag which is really the only thing that looks even remotely desirable.
Stella McCartney. A leader in sustainability and caring for all things Mother Earth, the designer keeps things classic this Fall. The fashion industry is the second-most-polluting enterprise, after the fossil-fuel-sector. There’s the water waste from manufacturing, the pesticides and toxic dyes that contaminate our rivers, and the 85 percent of discarded clothing filling our landfills. Stella McCartney has joined other leading brands like Gap, Nike and Burberry in the Make Fashion Circular initiative, which targets this pollution.
Alice + Olivia. I want to go to THIS party. I love this designer and have spent some time in their store while in New York City’s meatpacking district. It’s an elegant room full of colors and shiny patterns. The sizes tend to lean small but I was not discouraged and walked out with a new handbag.
Isabel Marant. The paisley print and cut of this dress immediately caught my eye. I love how it’s shown here over jeans and with a belt. The best pieces are those you can wear casually and then turn into a dress-up moment.
Stuart Weitzman. This is probably my most favorite ad. The model is so beautiful and I just love how the boots are still the focus. The headless woman in the black bodysuit turns out to be Giselle. Black boots overwhelm my closet with different styles from biker boots to heels. The style options are endless!
Le Sport Sac. I like these bags because no animals died to make them. They come in all sizes and are sturdy, lasting forever and you can’t beat the price point on these bags. Alber Elbaz is a Moroccan-Israeli fashion designer who worked for many fashion houses including Lanvin. I love his art on these bags and have ordered myself a cross-over purse for our next trip. I wish I had a reason to buy this weekender because it’s so cute but I really don’t need it.
Alberta Ferretti. This ad takes me back to high school. The high-waisted jeans with the beaded look makes me yearn for the small waist line I used to have back in the day. The soft angora sweater tucked in finishes the 80s look. Even the models haircut appears old school. I won’t wear angora anymore but there are all sorts of nice alternatives.
Messika Jewelry by Gigi. I can’t flip through the Fall fashion rags without drooling over the jewelry. Gigi makes all of these pieces look and feel so simple and sexy. Nothing to flashy.
David Yurman. Another understated jewelry ad that makes you want to layer your bracelets and keep the clean look and feel. I could do without the what looks like fur in background but I won’t digress.
Obviously most of these designers are way out of my wallet’s reach but I always find inspiration to draw from. As I get older I feel a sense of urgency and necessity to keep my closet current. Youth can be found in style and my mother who is now 70 has been a leader in keeping her style fresh. Self-care includes taking the time to feel good about how you look and keeping your confidence strong. Take time and be good to yourself.
Weekly Inspiration
It’s not about the size you wear but the way you wear you size.
