With the changing of the seasons — and a whole bunch of fun fashion trends popping up — it can be tempting to go shopping for a new fall wardrobe. Instead of going on a shopping spree for a ton of new clothes, spruce up your closet with these tips from a NoVA-based personal stylist.
Margaret Lilly, whose DC-area personal styling business helps clients “shop their closets” and assess their wardrobe needs, points to some fun trends that are emerging this season and provides tips on how to incorporate them into your existing wardrobe in a way that’s comfortable, fun, and doesn’t break the bank.
Have Fun with Current Trends
Leopard print is one pattern that’s becoming popular this season, and not just in small doses. Rather than being relegated to shoes or small accessories, Lilly says she’s seeing more and more of the animal print being used in more direct ways.
“I want people to see it as a neutral and sort of be able to mix everything with that,” Lilly says. “Like, toss on your red cashmere sweater with it, and even your little tennis shoe, right? And just be comfortable in it.”
The Western aesthetic is making waves, too, with pieces like cowboy boots and horseshoe-cut barrel jeans.
“It’s so comfy because it’s oversized in a way, but it still fits at the hip and knee, then has that really relaxed vibe through the leg,” Lilly says of barrel jeans. “You can go as exaggerated with it as you want, but I would recommend going more on the subtle side of it.”
When shopping with trends in mind, it’s important to keep in mind the item’s longevity — will you want to keep wearing it for five or 10 years, or is it more of a fad? If you don’t want to spend a lot on an item you might not wear for long, don’t turn to fast fashion brands. Instead, Lilly recommends shopping second-hand or using clothing rental services. That way, you can have fun with of-the-moment fashion without wasting money.
Prioritize Comfort
How do you make sure you don’t buy pieces you won’t actually wear? A key factor is making sure that you’re comfortable in each piece. That means considering the fit and feel of each piece of clothing before you wear it. Can you move freely? Is the fabric itchy or uncomfortable?
Many items may need a little tailoring to fit perfectly, but “you want that fabric to feel great the first time you put it on,” she says.
Shoes are another area where comfort is key for wearability.
“I will not compromise my comfort, so, I’ve been wearing ballet flats, Mary Janes, a little sneaker,” Lilly says. “Be realistic about what you’re going to wear.”
Embrace the Transitional Season
In the transitional season, when we’re ready for fall but the weather still feels like summer, there are a few ways to bring in some seasonal trends without inducing heat stroke.
Color is an easy way to do that. You can wear light, breathable materials in warm-toned colors and patterns. Lilly points to brown as a big color of the season this year, and pops of red in shoes and accessories are another popular choice.
Another way is to layer a light summer sundress with a motorcycle jacket or a sweater to carry it into fall.
“You can feel fall, like you can wear your brown bag, your brown shoe, or even do your boot, your riding boot, with a dress,” she says, instead of summery accessories and footwear.
Short suits are another fun look that she says she’s been seeing this season that works as a transitional piece.
Dress Up Your Closet Staples
A fun way to experiment with current trends — without having to buy a whole new wardrobe — is to play up classic, evergreen items.
One fun essential Lilly recommends is a slip dress for its multifunctionality. “You can toss on an oversized sweater and tennis shoes, or you can wear it with a lovely blazer and a heel,” she says. “It can easily be dressed up or down.”
Another is a silk blouse: “With that, you could have a little fun and do a leopard print, or a pop of red — that orangey-red color is my fave — to just make it pop, but still feel really sophisticated.”
“I just want people to not be afraid to have fun,” Lilly says. “That’s always what I say to my clients. Don’t be afraid to have fun, because we are in sort of a serious city. Let’s push it a little bit out of our comfort zone.”
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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