Fall. For many, it’s the best time of year. After a long, hot summer clad in casual tees, shorts and linen everything, it’s time to embrace the cozy, chunkier knits and plush fabrics of autumn. We turned to the experts in some of our local boutiques for their takes on what the upcoming season is promising.
Coco Lily
17 West Main St., Avon
Cocolily.com
860-284-9770
This cool and eclectic boutique features a little bit of everything heavenly! The bright and chic interior is a beautifully curated assortment of seasonal favorites; every nook and cranny is specially designed to delight the senses. Their collections include women’s, baby, home and gift, and menswear.
“This fall, comfy and cozy are the keys to layering,” says Carter Margison, Coco Lily’s manager and buyer. “We’re seeing fringe as a major detailing effect for the season; we have a wonderful fringed duster from Brochu Walker that I’m currently coveting for the fall.” Margison advises women to add a few trend pieces to their wardrobe for newness but keep their staples handy.
“Having your core staples is important, your great tees - like our fabulous Frank & Eileen tees - a perfect chambray shirt, some elevated leggings… you can build so many outfits with just a few great pieces.”
Other main trends, she says, include maxi dresses as transition pieces, luxe loungewear and elevated athleisure pieces that are great for working from home or traveling. “Shackets,” sweater-jacket fashions, are also a big look for fall. With a nod toward the menswear trend, shackets for women are now more femininely styled and shaped and are a versatile layering piece for multiple seasons and climates.
Coco Lily’s inventory is a beacon for their many clients who head south for the colder months.
“We want them to have something adaptable to bring with them and a fashionable shacket is a great multipurpose piece,” Carter says. “They’re perfect for layering in coziness without sacrificing style, ideal for working from home or travel.”
Another key trend as we approach the holidays, she adds, includes luscious jewel tones, creams and navy hues.
Some of the core brands Coco Lily carries include Frank & Eileen, Kinross Cashmere, Minnie Rose, Brochu Walker and Golden Goose (amazing sneakers!) for women. Also, Jelly Cats and Elegant Baby, Juliska and Barefoot Dreams for baby, home & gift. Coco Lily is particularly excited about their annual Kinross Cashmere Trunk Show event happening September 9-11. A not-to-be-missed fashion event to add to your calendar!
The Silver Dahlia
41 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury
thesilverdahlia.com
860-633-1817
Located in the heart of the Glastonbury business district, this gift, home, and clothing boutique sells a variety of home decor, jewelry, purses, bath and body products, and casual women’s clothing.
Its owner, Kim Reid, says fall trends this year in her clothing inventory lines continue to lean heavily on the “boho chic” aesthetic. Silver Dahlia carries Free People fashions, along with Hello Mello, By Together, &Merci, and FashionTIY.
Trending designs for the autumn include distressed jean jackets, floral dresses and tops, and trending colors are olive green and rust, Kim says.
“Boho designs are still really popular this fall along with the trend of distressed fashions,” she adds.
In her home inventory, Kim adds, the farmhouse, with its heavy reliance on black and white designs, is also a popular trend still this fall. Also showing no signs of waning is the gnome trend, which started out as trendy Christmas decor.
“Gnomes are still so popular that people now decorate their homes with them all year ‘round,” Kim says. She points to a pair of Halloween gnome decorations to make her point.
“They’re really cute,” she says.
Diesel & Lulu’s
24 E. Main St., Unit 2, Avon
On Instragram @dieselandlulus
860-986-2511
This boutique takes comfort decidedly fashion-forward. Kristin Trainor, the shop’s owner, says fall fashions are “definitely going to be all about transition layering but with a fresh emphasis on color and fabrics. We’re keeping our classic tanks and tees and layering them in with colorful pieces and chunky knits. Like most of the world, our clientele has been staying home for the past several years and they’re ready to go out and socialize, but not ready to give up the comfort. Comfort and color are the names of the game right now."
She adds, “Bright colors are so big for fall. Pink is exploding on the scene; it’s huge again. We’re also loving beautiful bluish charcoals, caramels, and cinnamon. Green is being carried into fall but in sea greens and a lovely viridian green which is kind of a blue-teal shade.”
Knits, she adds, are a key ingredient this fall.
“Big chunky knits in oversized sweaters, head-to-toe knits are a look happening now. And scarves are a strategic basic for layering, especially blanket scarves which are so warm and versatile.”
Other trends the boutique is working into their lineup are a nod to menswear with wide-legged pants and jackets, and a mix of elevated athletic wear. Some silhouettes that will continue from summer include batwing sleeves, maxi/midi dresses moving from warm-weather boho prints to lush fall fabrics, cargo joggers and skirts, vegan leather and modified moto jackets.
One of the looks Kristin particularly likes is a versatile hoodie. It can be dressed up or down and blended with other pieces to create a variety of looks. That concept is a pillar in Diesel & Lulu’s style philosophy, she says.
Every woman, she adds, needs a “capsule wardrobe” of staples that she can change up with layers and accessories.
“I encourage women not to look at sizes; every brand’s sizing depends on where it’s made,” she says. “Throw out preconceived notions of what size should be and instead, try on pieces that speak to you. Does it spark joy and confidence? How do you feel in this piece? Our business model is based on a casual approach, and we keep prices reasonable so we can inspire people to take a chance on a new style. It’s all about comfort and color and fun. We want our customers to feel bright and joyous in our clothes.”