With summer fading into fall, it’s time to shift gears in your closet as well. Local fashion expert Alexa Bondon, of Anchora Bella in downtown Lee’s Summit, has a few tips and tricks to transition your wardrobe and stay on the cutting edge of style.
“Colorful attire such as bold pinks and oranges, along with pretty pastels, are going to be everywhere this fall! With these bright color trends, you’ll be able to keep some of those pieces you may have purchased in the spring or summer around a little while longer and utilize layering to continue wearing them into the fall and winter months. However, with that said, all you neutral lovers have nothing to worry about - neutral colors are still in; you’re just going to see brighter, more saturated colors in the market as well,” says Bondon.
Transitioning the Trends -
You may have heard of something called ‘dopamine dressing’, focusing on dressing to enhance your mood. While we strive to do that with all our customers, we love helping our fashion-lovers pair saturated colors (think pink and red, or orange and purple) and adding bright pops of color with accessories, jewelry and bags!
Perfect Patterns -
Plaids and houndstooth are back and brighter than ever! In addition to neutral patterns and prints, you’re going to see brighter greens, pinks and yellows. The schoolgirl trend is staying, and tweed fabrics and plaid prints will help you achieve this look. One or two preppy pieces paired with a simple cardigan, turtleneck, and footwear is all it takes to look excellent.
Mix it Up -
Another trend we are seeing is mixing prints and layering prints on prints! While this may seem daunting, follow some of these ‘loose’ rules and have fun: pair a smaller, fine print with a larger, bold print to avoid too much clashing and conflicting focus. When mixing prints, keep accessories and jewelry to a minimum, and try to style patterns within similar color families.
Love your Layers -
Layering is a fun way to utilize pieces multiple times without ‘repeating’ an outfit! You can mix a blazer with a pair of jeans, loafers, and white tank top for a more casual look, or throw it over a dress and some platform shoes for an elevated night out! Pick your favorite knits and layer over simpler pieces, grab a plaid jacket to layer for a preppy, in-style look, or a vest and relaxed button up.
Get It - Statement pieces: Feathered pieces such as a trimmed skirt/top, faux leather in jackets, pants, skirts (in both neutrals and bold colors), and a statement coat that you can elevate any look with!
Keep It - 2022 is full of nostalgia, so likely some of those pieces you've kept for years are coming back in style - cargo pants, school girl academia looks, penny lane coats, platform boots, mom jeans, clogs/loafers. Additionally, keep those white tank tops, blazers, black trousers, and top handle bags!
Toss It - Here are some things you can push to the back of your closet for now: tailored garments (oversized looks are in!), bell sleeves (look for puffy, statement sleeves), cold shoulder tops (go for more plunging or square necklines), stilettos (platforms are in!), all denim looks (plaid is taking over!) and animal print (try metallics!).