As the seasons change and fun fashion trends emerge, it can be tempting to go shopping for new fall outfits. Instead of buying a ton of new clothes, use these tips from Nobar’s personal stylist to streamline your closet.
Margaret Lilly, who runs a personal styling business in the Washington, DC area where she helps clients “organize their closets” and evaluate their wardrobe needs, shares some fun trends she’s seeing this season and offers advice on how to incorporate them into your existing wardrobe in a way that’s comfortable, fun, and inexpensive.
Enjoy the latest trends
Leopard print is one of the patterns that’s becoming popular this season, and not just in small doses: Instead of being limited to shoes and small accessories, Lily says she’s increasingly seeing animal print used in a more direct way.
“I want it to be seen as a neutral color, and you can wear it with everything,” Lily says. “You can throw on a red cashmere sweater and throw on little tennis shoes and be comfortable in it.”
Western aesthetics, such as cowboy boots and horseshoe-cut barrel jeans, are also gaining attention.
“They’re super comfortable because they’re oversized, but fitted at the hips and knees and have a really relaxed feel all the way through the leg,” Lily says of the Barrel jeans. “You can wear them as over the top as you want, but I’d recommend wearing them understated.”
When shopping for trends, it’s important to keep in mind the lifespan of an item. Do you want to wear it for five or 10 years, or is it just a passing fad? If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on an item you might not wear for long, don’t rely on fast fashion brands. Instead, Lily recommends buying second-hand or using clothing rental services. That way, you can enjoy the latest fashion without wasting money.
Make comfort a priority
How can you avoid buying clothes you won’t actually wear? A key factor is making sure each piece of clothing is comfortable to wear. This means considering how each piece fits and feels before you try it on. Does it allow you to move freely? Does the fabric feel itchy or uncomfortable?
While many pieces might require a little adjustment to fit perfectly, “you want the fabric to feel amazing from the first time you put it on,” she says.
Footwear is another area where comfort is key when it comes to wearability.
“I’m not going to sacrifice comfort, so I wear ballet flats, Mary Janes, and little sneakers,” Lily says. “Be realistic about what you wear.”
Enjoy the transition
As we get ready for fall but the weather still feels a bit like summer, there are a few ways to embrace the seasonal trends without overheating.
Colour is an easy way to achieve this: light, breathable fabrics can be worn in warm colours and patterns. Lily points out that brown is the colour of the season, and incorporating red in shoes and accessories is also a popular choice.
Another option is to layer a lightweight summer sundress with a motorcycle jacket or sweater and continue wearing it into autumn.
“Instead of summery accessories and shoes, try pairing a brown bag and brown shoes, or even boots or riding boots, with your dress to give it an autumn feel,” she says.
She says shorter suits are also a fun style that’s perfect for transitioning between seasons.
Dress up your closet staples
A fun way to experiment with current trends without completely revamping your wardrobe is to incorporate classic, timeless pieces.
A fun essential that Lily recommends is a slip dress, which is versatile. “You can throw on an oversized sweater and tennis shoes, or pair it with a nice blazer and heels,” Lily says. “It’s easy to dress up or down.”
Another option is a silk blouse. “You can add a little fun to this by adding a leopard print or accenting it with red. I love orange-red, which adds some pop and makes it look sophisticated.”
“I just want people to not be afraid to have fun,” Lily says. “I always tell my clients: Don’t be afraid to have fun, this is a serious town. Get out of your comfort zone a little bit.”
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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