Fall Fashions — Dos and Don’ts

By: Sharon Mosley

Let’s face it: we all have our “don’t” days — some of us more than others. But at the beginning of a new fashion season, it’s not a bad idea to review some of the best ways not to be a “Don’t” and be more of a “Do” when it comes to getting dressed everyday. Here are a few of my favorite reminders for fall:

Don’t put away your white jeans. It’s an old rule that is constantly broken in today’s fashion world. And yes, your mother probably always preached that one should never wear white after Labor Day. Well, the times they are a-changin’, and the fall runways were awash in the white stuff. Now, perhaps you can relieve your white linen shorts of further duty, but those white jeans are definitely players for cool weather wardrobes. I like them teamed with a cashmere black turtleneck — very Audrey Hepburn and very cool.

Do mix up your colors and prints. This is another rule that’s been broken time and again this year. Yes, there is a trick to all those color-clashing pieces, but it can be fun to give your wardrobe a new lease on life with unexpected color combinations. I like pairing purple with red and turquoise with emerald. If you stick to an “analogous” mix (colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel), it’s easier to get a new look without trying too hard. Colorful accessories can also be a big boost to an all-neutral wardrobe.

Don’t let your budget get you down. Most of us don’t have carte blanche to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe every season, so we need to take what we have and give it a fresh twist. (See above). But it’s a true fashion maxim that money doesn’t buy style, and there are plenty of ways to find fresh trends at budget-friendly prices. Think Target, H&M, Lands’ End, Forever 21 and more.

Do think comfort. Life is hard enough without worrying about tripping over five-inch stilettos or squeezing into too-tight spandex shape wear. Figure out what your comfort level is and stick to it. That can mean having a “go-to” outfit that acts as a uniform you wear whenever you want to feel and look great, even if it’s something like a shapely jersey dress with kitten heels.

Don’t be a bag lady. You do want to be comfortable, but you don’t have to wear shapeless, baggy clothes. They can actually make you look bigger. If you have a problem area with one part of your body, then find a great tailor to help you get a great fit. Edith Head once said you should wear clothes that are loose enough to prove you’re a lady, but tight enough to show you are a woman. ‘Nuff said.

Do show off your own personality. This may be the best “Do” on the list. While many of us do want to keep up with the latest fashion trends, it’s not a “Do” to be a fashion victim. Find your own style “signature” and stick to it. This is easy to do with accessories like costume jewelry. I love vintage Victorian jewelry. It’s almost as fun to shop for these interesting baubles as it is to wear them!