Falling Into Trends: Fall '07 Fashion Trends Part 2

5. Pass the Pipe, Please: Most-wanted accent of the season?  Piping.  The detail is finding its way onto blazers, shoes, dresses and pants, making a maverick out of the sailor-esque detail and the pieces it so boldly enhances.  Belle by Sigerson Morrison definitely got the memo; possibly the best-fitting flats of all-time, Belle updates their ballet flats for fall in red patent leather with white piping.  Perhaps so that they don’t fly off your foot from sheer hotness, they are also fitted with an ankle strap, an update to their summer version of the shoe.  Kale’s Chilton I Handbag is exquisite; patent leather piping shows a refined take on the trend, with contrasting distressed leather and metallic accents.  Look for the detail on jackets, handbags, and more as we get closer to fall.
6. And then Get High: Waisted, that is.  The rise on pants and skirts has steadily been climbing, and frankly, thank goodness—enough of the thong poking out of the top of your low-rise jeans, and no more muffin-top, either, thank you. Walter’s High-waisted Pleat Short in Gray demonstrates that getting high is not necessarily a hazard to your health; it actually happens to be quite slimming.  Grey Ant’s High-Waisted Carpenter Jean takes denim to the next level of sophistication when you rock them with a voluminous top and chunky heel. 
7. Short cuts and The Return of the Pant: Summer dresses and skirts, make way for the best trend to fall into your lap.  Not to say you have to cover up your leggy legs, after all you worked out so hard to get them in shape for summer.  Show off the gams with some trouser shorts, a here-to-stay trend that takes advantage of your best asset.  Ask Mr. Johnson: originally a shorts-only line, Johnson has versions of their Millicent Short in both Brown and Blue Plaid, packing your Fall trend savvy-ness with a one-two punch.  Femininity doesn’t just come in little skirts and sundresses; the tailored version of dressing chic is a classic pair of modern pants.  Wide Leg Herringbone Pants from Proenza Schouler let you stretch your legs in style.  The high waist and wide leg will flatter and elongate your figure, and the color purple keeps you effortlessly ahead of the fashion game. Bottega Veneta’s Casual Pants in Velvet are simply yummy.  The high waist is no longer a throw-back trend or vintage twist; it has been resurrected, and has become its own, modern look.  Juxtapose the heavy velvet with an airy lace or gauzy top, and you are the picture of a woman, wearing the pants, and all.

Keep in mind that fall dressing is about looking more put-together than you did in the carefree days of summer.  This is an opportunity to show your fashion sense and this season, it’s actually okay to look like you’ve tried.  Although of course we know it comes as naturally to you as a day at the beach in August.