Other designer faves
for fall: gold (from chain belts to stand-alone hoop earrings),
a rainbow of tights, '80s redux, corduroy, geometric
prints, tweeds, suits, and skirts in A-line, bias-cut and
double-pleated styles.
It's not often that you find incredibly gorgeous women
prancing around Portland in snug leather pants and vibrant
maxi-sweater coats on a hotter-than-hell summer afternoon.
At the Nordstrom Designer Preview fashion show held at the
Portland Art Museum on Aug. 3, however, fall style was in
full effect. The 45-minute show featured runway looks from
Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni and Calvin Klein and stellar
designs from Stella McCartney's House of Chloe, among others.
Ensembles at this event ranged from those you could (conceivably)
wear in this casual city to ones more entertaining in their
outrageousness (the old-money ladies seated in the front
row would definitely nod their perfectly coiffed heads in
agreement). Here's a rundown of a few prominent trends on
display at the show, with a small dose of reality.
Top Five for Fall
1. Lots and lots of leather
Supple leather in a range of colors is everywhere this
fall, and this show was no exception. From Calvin Klein's
streamlined mallard leather coat, rouge skirt and jacket
to Victor Alfaro's geometric, slim-fitting berry leather
jacket and John Bartlett's black-and-cream chevron leather
pants, the point was clear: Leather isn't just for basic
black jackets and accessories anymore. If money is no object,
break out the plastic and go nuts. (If you're vegan, skip
to No. 2.) If you're on a tight budget, swoop in on thrift
stores now to score cast-off maroon leather pieces from
the '80s while everyone else is still thinking tank tops.
Cheap lipstick might just be the perfect complement.
2. Camel and red combos
This is one of the best color combinations to come along
in a long while, especially for those with yellow skin tones
who look sickly in the crop of berry shades permeating fall
collections. Missoni offered several interpretations of
the mix, including a gorgeous crew-neck top in an untamed
print, a cardigan, a striped tube top and pants that zig
as well as zag. Solid red and camel separates you can pair
up (or not, next year) are a more practical approach to
achieving the look.
3. Luxe coats
Is it a coat? Is it a robe? Is it a really long cardigan?
Coats that posed these must-know questions ruled the runway.
A rich, Bordeaux-hued cashmere coat by Calvin and Dolce
& Gabbana's plum maxi coat looked comfy enough to nap
in. This indulgent outerwear is gorgeous but not exactly
wearable in Portland once the relentless drizzle sets in
(unless your furnace is broken). Splurging on a trusty trench
coat in camel or another neutral shade might be a wiser
choice.
4. Well-heeled boots
Boots were hot last fall, too, but this year there's a
difference--the height. Once the more comfortable, utilitarian
alternative to heels, boots have been fitted with their
own spiky spires this year. (Free crutches with purchase
might be a smart promotional ploy.) Those that pranced the
runway at this show tended toward the tall, black and leather,
but plentiful wild varieties are cropping up in stores.
They do look sexy beneath the flattering, wide-legged pants
of the season, but some of us are either a) too clumsy,
b) too practical, or c) too comfort-driven to willingly
teeter precariously every time we stand up (and, matched
with the wrong outfit, they might suggest that you earned
'em by turning tricks). Fortunately, there are enough thick
and flat-heeled styles out there to tide us over until someone
designs a futuristic removable/adjustable-heel boot.
5. Herringbone and houndstooth
For fashionistas eschewing the colorful plaids that abound
this fall, black-and-white herringbone and houndstooth prints
are smart alternatives to liven up a wardrobe bogged down
by solids. Celine (the design label, not the diva singer)
did houndstooth in a chocolate skirt paired with a white
cashmere sweater, and magnified versions of these classic
prints turned up on the runway, too. Opt for a skirt of
the traditional variety, though, if you want to be able
to bust it out of your closet in 10 or 15 years when it
appears on the runway once again. And honey, in these days
of high fashion, we promise you it will.
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