Animal prints

Shopping our closets for fall 2024 trends

/ edebock / 4 Comments

logo-by-samI’m always reluctant to admit that it’s time to think about fall or to talk about fall fashions, but days are getting shorter and nights are getting chillier. Whether I like it or not, there’s a hint of autumn in the air. With that in mind, I thought I’d take a look at some of the fashion trends for fall 2024, not because I plan to go shopping anytime soon, but because I want to shop my closet to see which ones might already be there. Perhaps you’d like to do the same.

When thinking about trends, keep in mind that just because something is popular at the moment doesn’t mean that you have to wear it. A stylish woman knows what’s trending then chooses what to incorporate into her wardrobe based on her own taste, personal style, body type, and lifestyle.

Fall is a time to get cozy. Wraps, shawls, oversized scarves, and capes are definitely having a moment. I’ll be pulling out two pashminas that I bought in the market in Siem Reap, Cambodia in early 2009 as well as a couple of wraps that feel like warm hugs. I especially love this one which was a gift from my son and his family who reside on the BC coast.

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Like wraps and shawls, turtlenecks are warm and cozy. Never completely out of style, they’re especially popular this fall. I used to love wearing them and wish I still could, but since I had major neck surgery to remove a cancerous tumour I no longer find them comfortable.

Denim dresses and skirts will be popular this fall and double denim, once considered a fashion faux pas, is actually on-trend this season. I don’t have a dress or a skirt in this always popular fabric, but I do have both dark and light denim shirts. When I do go shopping, I’ll be on the lookout for a denim shirt dress, something that’s been on my wish list for awhile already.

Wide leg jeans are still on-trend, but so are straight legs and is it possible that skinny jeans are also coming back? Actually, I don’t think they ever completely went away.

This fall’s blazers have a nipped in at the waist hourglass shape and classic tweeds, herringbone, and suiting fabrics are popular. I’m thinking that this one, which you’ve seen on the blog before, fits the bill fairly well. Leftover from my teaching days, it’s a bit snug now, but as long as I don’t try to button it, which I wouldn’t do anyway, I think it works. For a classy casual look, try pairing an on-trend blazer with jeans, a tank top or t-shirt, and a ladylike shoe.

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Speaking of shoes, there’s a move toward elegance in women’s footwear. Ballet flats continue to be popular, but Mary Janes, kitten heels, pointed toes, and slingback styles are back in vogue. Did you happen to notice the elegant kitten heels that Michelle Obama wore with her MONSE suit when she spoke at the Democratic National Convention last week? If not, check out the photo in last Friday’s post. I have a similar, but probably much less expensive, pair that I haven’t worn in ages. Perhaps I’ll wear them again this fall.

Popular colours this fall will include soft buttery yellow, warm browns (toffee, chocolate, expresso), burgundy or wine, deep green, olive green, teal, and navy. There was a time when brown was my go-to neutral and my closet was full of it. Over time, however, I’ve gravitated more toward navy. I still like brown though, so perhaps this fall or winter when it’s still readily available would be a good time to add a bit more brown back into my wardrobe. A pop of red is also on-trend for fall. Think a red handbag, scarf, or red shoes. This pair ticks three fall fashion boxes… kitten heels, slingback, and red!

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Finally, animal prints, especially leopard, are still in style for fall. I definitely have a few tops in that print that I will continue to wear.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list and as you can see, there’s plenty of crossover from last fall meaning that, like me, you can probably find some of these trends in your closet without having to go shopping.

Clothing that endures

/ edebock / 1 Comment

LogoThis week, I finally had to admit that fall is here (actually, it has been for awhile) and that it was time to do my seasonal closet switch. As I put away my spring/summer wardrobe and brought out fall/winter, I thought about the fact that some of the pieces have been with me for a very long time while others have come and gone. 

What makes an item an enduring one? I think there are several factors. I’m going to use some photos from previous Fashion Friday posts to explain. The date below each picture is a link to the original post that it appeared in. 

Believe it or not, everything that you see in this photo is still in my wardrobe, but it’s the grey and white Breton striped t-shirt that I want to focus on today. Purchased at Reitmans, it wasn’t new four and a half years ago when this photo was taken, but it continues to be a workhorse in my wardrobe for two important reasons. First, it’s a classic piece, not a trend that looks dated after a season or two. Second, it’s good quality. It’s been worn countless times and has stood up to many, many washings. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it was expensive. In fact, it wasn’t. I have t-shirts that are much newer than this one and that cost significantly more that are starting to sag around the neckline. I know that this well-loved piece won’t last forever though, so I’m already watching for something similar to replace it with when it finally wears out.

Animal prints are amongst those things that never seem to go out of style. They’re like neutrals with a bolder twist. Another reason that some items, including this one, stay in my wardrobe for many years is fit. I have the good fortune to have maintained a fairly steady weight throughout my adult life, so changing size hasn’t been an issue for me, but like most post-menopausal women, there’s a little more me around the middle than there used to be. This t-shirt’s body skimming fit doesn’t cling and disclose those bulges. 

Here’s another animal print that has passed the test of time. I have no idea how long I’ve had it, but I’m sure that it’s more than 20 years old! It spent several of those years in storage before I decided to resurrect it a couple of years ago. I try to adhere to the wisdom of getting rid of things that I haven’t worn in the past year or two, but once in awhile a well-loved piece takes up long term residence on the hanging rack at the back end of our storage room and waits for a day when it might brought back into circulation.

The popularity of plaid seems to wax and wane a bit from season to season, but like stripes, animal prints, florals, and polka dots, it’s a timeless pattern. The fact that this shirt is very well made is another reason to keep it in my closet year after year. Look how perfectly the pattern lines up across the front. That’s always a sign of good construction. In addition, there’s a hidden button at the bust line that completely eliminates the possibility of gaping. Again, quality doesn’t have to be expensive. I got this one for $3 at the thrift store! 

This simple lace overlay dress has been in my closet year round for about six years. It’s my little black dress that isn’t black. It’s an excellent traveller and can easily be dressed up or down. In fact, here it is dressed down with sneakers and another classic piece that I’ve had for years, a basic jean jacket. 

So, again, what makes an item an enduring one? Timeless pattern and style, good quality, good fit, versatility, and perhaps most important of all, it has to be something that you love and that you don’t grow tired of!

Do you have anything that’s been in your closet for a very long time? Do you still wear it? Please tell us about it in the comments section.   

Zebra stripes, more than just a fashion trend

/ edebock / 11 Comments

LogoIn August 2013, I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer (NETS). In August of this year, I attended a cabi party and treated myself to a zebra print top from the Fall 2019 Uniquely Us Collection. Those might seem like two completely unrelated random facts, but they aren’t.

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The zebra is the symbol of neuroendocrine cancer. Neuroendocrine tumours are difficult to diagnose. The symptoms are usually vague and similar to more common health problems. Many family doctors have never encountered a NETS patient. When presented with symptoms like stomach pain and diarrhea, they naturally think of things like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease or lactose intolerance. Flushing, especially in women of a certain age, makes them think menopause, not cancer. Medical students are taught “when hearing hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.” Neuroendocrine tumours are rare and therefore they are considered to be zebras.

Some NETS patients and advocates think the zebra symbol is foolish, that it trivializes the grave nature of our disease, and would like to see us stop using it. I disagree. I think we need to take advantage of every opportunity to draw attention to our cause and if that includes zebra stripes, I’m all for it!

Since my diagnosis, I’ve noticed zebra stripes everywhere! As I mentioned in last Friday’s post on trends for fall 2019, the zebra motif is particularly popular this season, but animal prints never go out of style and the zebra has been around for a long time. I’ve seen zebra t-shirts, zebra leggings, zebra jeans, zebra pjs, and zebra bras. I’ve also seen zebra handbags, zebra luggage, and even a zebra golf bag.

I remember trying on a darling zebra dress a couple of years ago, but I didn’t buy it. Like most zebra garments, its stark black and white pattern wasn’t flattering on me. With my pale Spring complexion, I look better in warmer tones. That’s why my new cabi top is so perfect. With its creamy vanilla background and chocolate ganache stripes (doesn’t that sound yummy?) it’s perfect for me.

With soft flutter sleeves, the top is a good stand alone piece for the occasional warm summery day that we enjoy at this time of year, but worn under sweaters and jackets, it will transition well into fall and winter. When worn alone, underarm insets provide good armhole coverage. While the neckline isn’t immodestly low, it leaves enough décolletage exposed to nicely frame a statement necklace. The top looks great tucked in, worn loose, or belted.

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I even tried mixing animal prints. Because both prints are within the same colour family, I think it works!

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For today’s photo shoot, I wore my DIY frayed white jeans. Later in the season, I’ll pair the zebra top with darker pants or skirt, but obviously I don’t adhere to the antiquated don’t wear white after Labour Day rule!

And what am I wearing on my feet, you ask? A pair of flip flops that I bought for $5 at Walmart’s end of season clearance sale. They perfectly match my golden summertime toes!

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Talking about trends: Fall 2019

/ edebock / 3 Comments

LogoWhile much of the world was experiencing extreme heat, it was a non-summer here in Alberta. Our big blue sky decided to take an extended vacation and left us with gloomy grey clouds and endless rain. Our furnace literally came on almost every morning! It’s hard to think about fall when you haven’t really had summer, but the fashions are out in the stores and it’s time to talk about trends.

Rich autumn colours are huge this season. Think pumpkin, caramel, cinnamon, gold, and spicy browns. Green, from light pistachio all the way to deep forest, is also very popular. Animal prints never go out of style, but they are bigger than ever this season. Leopard has been leading the way for the past few seasons, but now it’s being joined on centre stage by zebra and snakeskin. Plaids and checks continue to be popular as do floral prints.

Belts are showing up everywhere; wide ones, thin ones, and colourful ones, worn over blazers, sweaters, dresses, and coats. Perhaps an animal print belt is what’s needed to add a bit of flair to your fall wardrobe.

Shoulder pads, reminiscent of the 1970s, have made their way back into the fashion mainstream over the past few years and are definitely being seen again this fall. Though there’s no one skirt length for this season, maxi skirts have definitely made a comeback. Jumpsuits also continue to be on trend. Capes and long coats are very popular.

As always, some of the season’s trends may appeal to you and others probably won’t. Don’t feel compelled to wear something simply because it’s on trend. Instead, pick and choose those colours that suit your skin tone and looks that fit your personal style. And, before you go shopping for this season’s trends, remember to shop your own closet. Chances are, you’ll find something there that fits right in with the current trends.

Let me show you what I mean. Though I was tempted to dig into my fall/winter wardrobe more than once this non-summer, I haven’t actually done my seasonal closet switch yet and I had to go into storage to retrieve these items. None of them are new.

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I started with a pair of chocolate brown boot cut jeans, taupe booties, and a comfy brown sweater that has been around for a very long time. I haven’t worn it much in recent years and almost got rid of it several times, but now I’m glad I didn’t. This was a good beginning, but the outfit definitely needed some dressing up.

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I added a dark brown leather belt, a leopard print scarf, and a pair of gold tasseled earrings. That’s much better!

Now let’s go outside.

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For a chilly fall day, I’ve added the reversible wool cape that was my Mom’s. I don’t know for sure how old it is, but I think it was quite new when I wore it, ivory side out, over my wedding dress in October 1976! My daughter also wore it over hers 30 years later in December 2006! A gift from my husband last Christmas, the hat is by far the newest item that I’m wearing.

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Now, how many of this season’s trends did I hit without going shopping?

Resurrecting an old favourite

/ edebock / 5 Comments

LogoIn last Friday’s post, I told you about a leopard print shirt that I almost gave away, but didn’t. I try to adhere to the wisdom of getting rid of things that I haven’t worn in the past year, but once in awhile old favourites take up long term residence on the hanging rack at the back end of our storage room and wait for a day when they might be resurrected and put back into use. This shirt was one of those. I have no idea how long I’ve had it, but I do remember ordering it from the Sears catalogue. That may even have been before the now defunct department store chain introduced online shopping in 1998! The fact that it was made in Canada is another indication of its age since it’s very hard to find anything that isn’t produced offshore anymore.

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Though animal prints are very much on trend this season, they are an enduring fashion that never really go out of style.

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I could dress the shirt up by wearing it with black pants and a dressier top, but I was going for a very casual look here. I folded back the cuffs and styled it with a well worn pair of Gap jeans, sneakers, and my 65 years bold t-shirt which is technically a lie now since today is my 66th birthday!

I’ve always preferred to wear this shirt as an unbuttoned third piece over a simple top. This breaks up the expanse of animal print which might otherwise be a bit overwhelming. Though the soft, velvet-like fabric is quite warm, it definitely wasn’t warm enough for the 4ºC (39º) afternoon when these pictures were taken! This was a very quick photo shoot and my photographer hubby was wearing a warm jacket. Perhaps the cold explains my clenched fists!

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Making trends work for you

/ edebock / 1 Comment

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Photo – Getty Images

Chances are, you aren’t going anywhere dressed like this this fall. Neither am I, but this intriguing outfit incorporates, to some extent, at least nine of this season’s biggest fashion trends! Let’s take a look at what they are:

  1. Red
  2. Plaid
  3. Oversized tote bag
  4. Oversized blanket coat
  5. Large, colourful floral print
  6. Flowing maxi dress
  7. Animal print
  8. Extreme layering
  9. Slouchy boots

Screen Shot 2018-09-03 at 7.51.11 PMPlaid is really a returning trend from last fall and winter, but this year’s reinvention includes plaids in wild colours, head to toe plaid, and mixing plaids. Similarly, while animal prints are an enduring trend and are usually considered a neutral, this season you can also expect to see neon zebra and garishly coloured leopard prints. If you want either a plaid or an animal print to have enduring value though, opt for a more traditional look that you’ll be able to wear for years.

For those of us who live a cold climate, layering is a no-brainer during fall and winter, but this year’s trend takes it to the extreme with multiple layers often topped with a bulky oversized coat. One of the great things about this trend is that it allows you to continue wearing some of your spring and summer pieces right into fall and winter. For example, think about layering a sleeveless summer dress over a long sleeved shirt or tee and leggings, then don’t be afraid to pile on a few more layers!

Have fun with the trends, but don’t become a slave to them!  As always, the key to incorporating the latest fashion trends into your wardrobe is to consider how you might put your own interpretation on them while staying true to your own style. Begin by shopping your closet to see how you can make the trends work with what’s already there. For example, I’ll definitely be wearing the black and white plaid shirt that I bought second hand in the spring of 2017 as well as the Check Shirt from Cabi’s Fall 2017 collection again this year. I also have a couple of leopard print items in traditional neutral colours that will be in circulation again this season. I’ve been doing a major closet cull lately and I almost let go of an older leopard print shirt that I haven’t worn for a long time, but I changed my mind and snatched it back out of the bag that’s destined for the thrift store! I’ll show it to you next week.

How to mix patterns like a pro

/ edebock / 4 Comments

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When I used this photo in a previous post, one of my friends commented on the nice mix of patterns, so today, let’s take a look at why it worked. I most often wear a pattern with a solid colour, but in this case I employed a few methods that enabled me to mix patterns and yet maintain a cohesive look.

First, the three patterns that I’m wearing here are all made up of the same colours… black, white, and grey. Keeping the fabrics within one colour family is a simple way to keep from looking like you got dressed in the dark!

I’ve also varied the size of the prints, choosing the large plaid of my sweater to dominate and two smaller patterns to compliment it.

Some patterns mix much more easily than others. In the world of mixing and matching, stripes and leopard prints are considered neutrals because they will go with almost anything. Black and white stripes are especially easy to work with. Grid patterns and polka dots also mix well with almost any other pattern.

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I don’t ever remember wearing polka dots before, but I picked up this eternity scarf at our local thrift store recently (where I also bought the sweater shown above) and I love it! Here I’m wearing it with the same black and white striped t-shirt that I wore in the first photo.

Some fashionistas like to mix bolder and more colourful patterns, but I prefer a more classic look, so this might be about as far as I’ll ever go when it comes to mixing patterns. What about you? Do you like to mix patterns? What tricks do you use when putting them together?

And a special note to Jan… thanks for inspiring this post! I always love to hear from my readers.

 

Animal prints

/ edebock / 11 Comments

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There are some things that never seem to go out of style. American actress, Jean Harlow, wore animal prints in the mid 1930s and they’re still showing up on runways today.

 

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Animal prints are like neutrals with a bolder twist. They are, after all, made up of black, brown, beige, grey, and/or white. They’re seasonless and can be worn with almost anything.

I was walking through Sears in Burnaby, BC’s giant Metrotown mall last week looking for shoe polish for my Dad when I passed a half price sales rack and this leopard print top caught my eye.

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Obviously, it came home with me! The rayon/spandex fabric is soft and comfortable and I love 3/4 length sleeves.

If you’re concerned that an overall animal print might be too much for you, why not try some accessories like those shown here.

Small doses can be just as eye-catching, but less overwhelming. I have a pair of leopard print flats something like these ones on my wish list for fall.

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