Fashion Fall/Winter 2012-13

June 2012:
Fashion for Fall/Winter 2012-13 is definitely trending toward the olde English. Begin shopping now while the selection is good and size ranges deep. Here are your recommendations to place on this season's shopping cart. Get ready for the Classics of winter.

FABRICS:

Tweed, Leather, Plaid, Fur.

Ransack your Grandmother's closet if she is a dutiful conservator of the very best in fashion. Long patterned coats of a large wooly tweedy grain are an essential winter statement piece this year for winter. Large horse blanket plaids and natural wood buttons complete the detail. Garment designs however are loosely structured. Wrap around outerwear, soft rounded shoulders, layers spilling over into soft folds. A little fur on the neck, wrists or ankles are always an eye catcher.

KNITWEAR:

Sweaters should have an organic or hand-loomed texture, very loose knit with large gauge yarns; not finely woven cashmere.  This patterning extends to pants, shoes, and even handbags. Leather should be worn liberally and not just as a jacket. Try a leather knee length skirt, pants, or even leather shorts.

BAG, SHOES, BELT:

 

Handbags, wide leather belts and wooly shoes are a part of the same trend. Apply the  same design aesthetics described above and you will be looking fine while sipping your Bordeaux wine. The requirement here again is to look natural. Natural grain leather textures to define the skin you are carrying. Heel height a walkable 2 1/2  to 4 inches. Fabric bags and shoes in a bold plaid or natural fur are an excellent choice to compliment your warm luxurious apparel.

GLOVES, SCARF, HAT:

It is indeed winter and cold weather protection is a necessity. Knit scarf should be chunky and loosely  worn with dangling loops and fringe. Gloves whether short or long would be best purchased in leather and definitely with a natural skin pattern. Hats in a felted wool designed in a classic silhouette such as a Trilby or Fedora. My friend Graham Thompson of Optimo (click link) hats in Chicago can assist you with a made-to-measure fabulous hat.

 COLORS: 

Warm Cognac - Velvety Bordeaux - Ivory Tusk - Tobacco Gold - Fog Grey - Navy at Midnight

 EVENING:

For women the trend in evening wear is a masculine design with a body conscious fit. Metallic, satin, sheer, shine, velvet, jacquard, embroidery and geometrics are the fabrics of choice for an evening soiree with your date or fabulous invited affaire.

This is one of the best seasons to "stock up" your closet. The shapes and fabrics are wonderfully traditional without being stuffy or dated. Also both comfortable to wear and easy to mix.  CHARGE !!