fall fashion

Summer to Fall: Wardrobe Must-Haves To Buy Now

July 11, 2013 at 11:55 am , by Amanda Wolfe

Enjoy the beach while you can! Soon enough we’ll be heading back to school and the office. If you’re a busy woman who wears many hats (of course you are), you likely need a wardrobe that can effortlessly go from work to play and season to season. Who has time to change out a closet four times a year?! I’ve gathered some grown-up pieces that can also work at a soccer game, pot-luck dinner, or conference.

Here are the five wardrobe essentials every woman needs going into fall.

 

 

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Fall Essentials: Classic Must-Have Pieces For Your Closet

October 23, 2012 at 4:15 pm , by Marissa Testa

Brr—it’s getting chilly out there, which means it’s definitely time to pack away all of your summer clothes and restock your closet with fall and winter pieces. If your selection is looking thin, we have a handy checklist of new classics that will jump-start your fall wardrobe! These necessities are sure to keep you looking trendy and chic all season long.

 

Whether you are dressing up or keeping it casual, suede booties will go with any outfit. Loft, $98.

Over-sized watches are a staple statement piece this season. Michael Kors, $250.

Score this pleated, mid-length skirt (cute with tights or without) at a discounted price at 6pm.com! Kensie, $88.

A bright colored bag with cute tassel detail is an updated classic that will last for years. Coach, $398.

 Chunky knit sweaters are super comfy and always cute—plus you can’t beat the price. H&M, $35.

Silk scarves are all over the runway this season and a perfect pop. Echo, $88.

This tweed jacket is a little edgier with stud embellishments on the shoulders. Tobi, $76.

 

Pairing this simple sheath dress with a skinny leather belt is a quick and easy look. Gap, $60.

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Behind the Scenes: Fall Fashion Feature

August 16, 2012 at 2:49 pm , by Sue Erneta

Our photo team always wows me with the cool locations that they find for our shoots and this month’s feature was no exception. When I told them the clothes were sort of cool and dark and moody, they suggested Alder Manor, a broken-down old mansion up in Yonkers. (It didn’t hurt that we had the gorgeous Stana Katic modeling for us, either!)

Several movie crews have used it as a set.  You may remember it from A Beautiful Mind or The Royal Tennenbaums. When we were there, there was a film crew prepping for a shoot inside the mansion so we stuck to the gardens around the house. They were amazing so we didn’t mind!

It was broken and dirty everywhere you looked but it was absolutely stunning. The groundskeeper told us that it was quite the party spot back in its day. Can’t you imagine what it was like when these little shallow pools actually had water in them?

It was pretty easy to find beautiful spaces to shoot including this outside wall of the house. Hey look! There’s Stana!

Meanwhile, back in our van, there were clothes filling the racks and lots of jewelry trays. Stana loves fashion so she had a great time trying things on and accessorizing.

She was also a sweetheart to everyone on set. When she heard our hairstylist, Mitch Barry, was big Castle fan she gladly posed for a picture with him.

Hope you enjoyed our tour of Alder Manor. Be sure to check out our fashion feature with Stana Katic in the September issue of Ladies’ Home Journal, on newsstands now!

Photo of Stana and Mitch by Stana Katic. All other photos by Sue Erneta and Gabrielle Porcaro.

 

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Get Your Wardrobe Ready for Fall

July 26, 2012 at 3:06 pm , by Sue Erneta

We know that you’re all knee deep in summer fun but your favorite fashion retailers just can’t wait for Fall to be underway. Would you believe that they’re starting to stock cashmere and wool already? Get a jump on the season now (or even just do a little window shopping and come back when it’s on sale!) but remember to always survey last year’s winter clothes first. That way, you’ll buy only what you really need.

Some of our favorites:

J Crew cashmere polka dot sweater

Zara coat with applique sleeves

Gap piped academy blazer

Boden wool midi skirt

Old Navy rock star skinny jeans

Club Monaco Diane silk maxi dress

(Yes, I know. It’s not fall-ish but I’m dying over it and I know I would wear it right now like this and then all winter long with a sweater and tights. Would that look great?)

Ann Taylor leather metro crossbody bag

DV by Dolce Vita at Piperlime short suede ankle boot

Hope you feel ready for fall now! Happy shopping!

Let me know in the comments what you’re looking forward to this fall.

 

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Go Ask Gab: More Fall Boots!

October 12, 2011 at 9:10 am , by Gabrielle Porcaro

Sometimes when we work on stories we fall in love with too many boots. Here are some of my favorites that didn’t make the cut for our boot story in our November issue — we love them equally as much as the ones that did!

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Go Ask Gab: Seeing Spots

August 30, 2011 at 12:50 pm , by Gabrielle Porcaro

Gab, I see that polka dots are a big trend for fall. How do I wear them and not look like a 4-year-old? — Kathy

Looking like a clown is more of a fear for me. Although after watching the VMAs on Sunday, apparently looking like a clown is in right now (see Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj).

First rule of polka dots: less is more. Only wear one polka-dot item at a time. Your best options are a dress or a top. For dresses, choose one that hugs your body a bit and shows off your shape;  like the Yoana Baraschi dress, we shot for our September story, (shown right) or this Beyond Vintage dress that ties at your waist. Don’t choose big, loose styles. If you wear a tent-like dress don’t be surprised if someone comes up to you and asks if you know how to make balloon animals!

The easiest and safest option are dotted tops. Pair a silk tee with some skinny jeans and flats. Wear a loose blouse with flares and heels. Rock a button-down shirt with some cargoes and wedge booties. Or go retro with a black and white dot cardigan worn with a black pencil skirt. See polka dots are not just for kids!

If you want to push it a bit and have a little fun, polka dot tights can be fun and sexy! But definitely don’t pair with a polka dot dress. (See the first rule of polka dots, above.)

Two other things that need to be addressed: 1. Color. Black and white is a classic safe bet but deviating a little bit away from neutral zone is okay too. For example, this Juicy Couture navy dress with pink polka dots adds color without going overboard. 2. Dot Size. Try to stay in the small to medium range. Big polka dots will make you look like a Twister board and then you will have people shouting “right hand, yellow” at you all day. Just sayin…

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Go Ask Gab: Summer Items You Can Wear Into Fall

September 15, 2010 at 9:30 am , by Gabrielle Porcaro

Summer fashion used to be more cut and dried (no white pants after labor day!) but summer lasts longer and longer every year now. What are the fashion rules when it stays hot until practically Thanksgiving?! Are sandals and sun dresses still fair game? — Rachel

You can thank global warming for making getting dressed in the morning a bit more difficult. I feel once “school starts” (I haven’t had a first day of school in 8 years but it’s still how I gauge when fall starts) it’s just wrong to wear anything that is summery. Here’s a simple checklist of what to store now and what to keep around for a bit.

Store Now: Cotton dress and skirts
It’s time to say goodbye to your strapless dresses and maxi cover ups. I know it’s sad but they’ll be there next year!

Keep Around: Silk or chiffon dresses
You can wear them with a cardigan and tights. Even a brightly colored dress (like a yellow or pink) won’t feel “wrong” for a month or two!

Store Now: Summer florals
If you would wear it to a back yard BBQ or even consider wearing it at a Luau… store it!

Keep Around: Florals with a dark background
For example: Yay to this Tucker for Target floral dress — totally cute, totally works for fall. Nay to this Liberty for Target pink floral dress. Hence the reason it’s on sale (it’s cute grab it for next spring!).

Keep Around: Summer camis and tanks
These are great layering pieces. Put a short or long sleeve tee under a tank or put a blazer or cardigan on top.

Store Now: Flip-flops
Honestly, unless you just bought them, throw them out. You probably lived in them since May and they are probably gross. Splurge for a new pair next year. Old Navy sells them for $4!

Keep Around: Heeled sandals
You can wear an open toe (depending on the style) with black tights or with jeans. But do put them away once the temperature really drops. Snow + open toe = frost bitten toes = unfashionable/dangerous.

Keep Around: Shorts that you would put over tights but store if you know you won’t rock that trend.

One last tip: Make sure you wash the clothing and pack it away nicely for next year. Then on the first warm day in March or April after a very long and cold winter you can grab your favorite items and be ready to go!

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