Fall Fashion: It's Feminine, Comfortable, and Fabulous

Ladies, it's almost time to put away summer's sun dresses and T-shirts. Autumn 2011 ushers in a new fashion season, and the trends favor styles that mix femininity and function while offering women an abundance of choice — from an anything-goes array of hemlines to looks that range from tailored to Bohemian.

Shops around Greater Hartford are unpacking fabulous new arrivals, and the season's top trends include pleated skirts and dresses; blouses from silk tie-neck styles to ruffled cottons; unstructured knit tops that look great over skinny jeans or flowing skirts; fur both real and faux; and dresses for every time of day and evening.

"Pleated skirts come in all lengths — above-the-knee, knee-length, and to the floor," says Kimberly Mattson Moster, owner of in West Hartford and Guilford, which both stock styles from Tracy Reese, Yansi Fugel, and Halston. A fashion perennial once reserved exclusively for Skinny Minnies, today's pleats are made in forgiving fabrics —  from shiny silk to stretchy microfiber — that are designed to flatter all sizes and shapes. Pleated skirts can be worn with T-shirts or chunky sweaters for a casual look, outfitted with a tailored blazer for work, or dressed up in the evening with one of the season's blouses, Moster says. 

It's a big year for style-setting blouses and tops. Designers including Nally & Millie offer unstructured knit tops that "flatter a woman's figure," says Marsha Davidson, owner of BodyTalk in Avon and Westport. Worn with skinny pants or leggings and boots, the tops are as comfortable as they are stylish.

"They're less body-conscious, which is great for all women," Davidson says.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are more tailored blouses in fabrics including silk and cotton. A flashback to 1970s fashion, today's versions by designers including Diane von Furstenberg and Renuar come in bolder colors and patterns, and they boast feminizing accents from balloon sleeves to ruffles to extra-long ties.

Skinny pants remain the dominant silhouette. "Pants are either skinny or wide, there is no in-between," says Karsky, but if there is a uniform for fall, it is the dress. Knee-length, calf-length or to the floor, "Dresses are so big in any category from casual to dressier dresses," she says. 

The appeal is obvious. "They are so easy, fun to wear, and anybody can do it," says Moster. While it can be a challenge finding the dress that fits your shape and style, the right one promises freedom: Pull it over your head, and you're out the door. Add a jacket or cardigan, and you can transition easily from day to evening. Among the top choices for fall: color block styles from Diane von Firstenberg and BCBG Max Azaria.

Another big trend this season, fur. "Years ago, they were throwing ketchup at anyone wearing fur, now it's back — on boots, jackets, sweaters," says Davidson. Her BodyTalk stores carry real and faux fur pieces — from long vests to short jackets — to suit all sensibilities. "Fur is everywhere in the market," Karsky agrees. "We saw so much of it — on sweaters, ponchos, capes. [In some cases], the fur is dyed psychedelic. 

Fur is one of the elements defining what Karsky calls "collage" pieces, jackets and tops accented with materials including buttons, fabric panels, embroidery, velvet, and fur. carries a selection from designer Lee Andersen. "Lots of pieces are collagey," Karsky says. "They combine rich fabrics and chunky textures. As we transition from summer to fall, even lightweight prints are collagey. There are color blocks, prints, animal prints. It's a 1970s bohemian look but more sophisticated."

Bohemia asserts itself again in some of the season's accessories — from feather earrings and headbands to patterned and textured scarves. 

Other must-have accessories for autumn: chunky chokers and jewelry pieces including the geodes from Ann Lightfoot; textured scarves; cross-body bags (a modified version of the messenger that's designed to be used as a purse); and satchel bags made in real leather and less expensive faux versions.

Colorwise, you'll be chic in gray this autumn. Is it a zeitgeist thing? Not really, retailers say. "People are sick of black," Karsky says. The new wardrobe basic offers a range of hues. "We're seeing heathered grey, speckled grey, black with gray," she says. "It's the full spectrum — pale dove to charcoal. Grey works with lots of brights — lime, raspberry, teal, and we're seeing a lot of those for pops of color." 

Plaid has been seen in plenty of places, but area boutiques have less of it than some department stores including Target and Nordstrom. You expect plaid from Burberry, whose playful iterations set the standard, but designers ranging from Tahari to Mossimo are also toying with tartans.

Price-wise, consumers can expect ticket prices to mirror what they saw last year — whether they shop at discount retailers or designer boutiques. Retailers have been shopping wisely for their customers, mixing lower cost items with high-end ones, or making substitutions like faux leather handbags in lieu of the real thing. On the manufacturing end, "People seem pretty price-conscious," Karsky says. Detail work — like fur trim — hasn't added to ticket prices. "People have done a good job keeping prices down."