Dear Mattie: What colours are in fashion this fall?
-Excited in Delbrook
Dear Delbrook: This fall season brings an extraordinary variety of colours, prints, brocades and combinations of them. The styling is about taking pieces and creating a unique look that encompasses the current trends.
The biggest trend in colours is combinations of them. The sense of confidence it exudes is the other biggest trend. This mixing and matching is not a street wear look - it will require some finesse.
There is also a casual look this season. It comes from wearing a lesser variety of colours. Wearing one colour head to toe creates a casual look. It could also be called minimalist. This is not a boring look - the colour can easily be orange. Every shade of orange is popular this season.
Many colours are also trendy to mix and match or wear tone on tone: desert brown, rust, mustard yellow, deep red, deep warm blue, purple, sage green and ivory. Ivory is the shade of white that many ladies will be wearing after Labour Day. Again, don't be surprised if you see an outfit head to toe in shades of ivory.
Many of this season's prints have a smart look. They are not subtle. They are graphic and bold in colour and design. Stripes, checks and flowers are available, but the trendiest prints are abstract and not traditional. They come in basic black and white, but also in a variety of colour combinations.
Mixing your prints has become a very sophisticated look. Look for a root colour or a consistent pattern to pull the look together.
Textures are also big this season. You will see them everywhere and in many pieces.
This season is not committed to the traditional use of textures. Brocade is the best example of this. Brocades have many colours entwined in their design, with a bit of muted gold to provide an international chic flavour. Brocades follow the same theme as seasonal colours in that they are available in every trendy shade as well as in a combination of colours.
A subtler texture is lace.
The new lace is not dainty, it is dense.
Traditional fabrics are also back in fashion. What used to be considered luxurious has become contemporary. Suede, corduroy and knits are making a comeback with a fresh perspective. They are available in many colours to support the tone-on-tone look. The look is fresh and modern, not vintage.
Neutrals may come in handy if you want to rein in some of the bold colours, patterns and textures.
Camel is a new trendy neutral that can be worn to enhance or subdue your outfit. It is a creamy and vibrant colour. It is not beige. Charcoal grey and black can also neutralize the personal expression in your outfits.
Usually, I suggest how to wear trends, but this season all I can do is tell you what the trends are. My recommendation is to mix and match everything and choose what you like. It is such a bold season of styling, you really can't go wrong. Own it.
Adieu,
Mattie
Mattie is a freelance writer and fashion expert. Reach her on her Facebook page of follow her on Pinterest at Mattie-a-la-Mode.
