Fall Trends According to Bergdorf Goodman

Let’s See what the fashionista’s will be wearing this fall.

Since I don’t believe in starting small, let’s look at high-end retailer Bergdorf Goodman, which has identified nine important trends for fall. Included as illustrations are some selections from its web site, to indulge the unlimited budget fantasy, along with more budget-conscious choices from Nordstrom.

1. “The Shining” – shiny, metallic fabrics and sparkling sequins and crystals on apparel and accessories, plus jewelry, of course.

Sparkly is always fun. Anyone can wear it in small doses that focuses on one’s best features. Embellished shoes and handbags are almost universally attractive options. Silk, satin and patent leather are other ways to incorporate reflective surfaces into your fall fashions. You can incorporate shine into your wardrobe for day or night, but use it judiciously in conservative work environments.

2. Velvet – not only on garments, but on shoes and handbags too.

Velvet looks lush and rich but needs to be utilized in current styles or it can look fusty (perhaps you remember Barbra Streisand’s appearance at an awards show some years back in a lovely dusty pink velvet ensemble, for which some fashion commentators raked her over the coals). Watch for this trend to show up on web sites in the next several weeks, as the summer clearance sales conclude.

3. “Pretty Tough” – black, leather, studs, chains, zippers, grommets, Goth influence

This style is all about attitude, and easily adapts for any woman who wants to keep the focus away from her soft side. Black is the easiest adaptation, although studs, grommets and other details also add a great deal of character to garments and accessories in other colors, too.

4. Animal Prints – a perennial favorite, with most styles shown in natural coloring.

Adaptable for everyone who likes the look. Just be sure that the print doesn’t “wear you.” If you think a dress made of the fabric is too much, trust your instincts, and show your wild side in your accessories.

5. Grey – a hugely important color for fall 2009.

Wearing tone-on-tone grey is an exceptionally sophisticated and elegant look. Black is easily incorporated into the mix, especially with shoes, which can ground the look by having the darkest color low. Dial up the shine, and voila! grey morphs right into silver.

6. Strong Shoulders – exaggerated looks inspired by the 80’s.

Difficult to wear, since to achieve the look, everything else about a person needs to be relatively narrow. Enjoy the nostalgia of the “Dynasty” fashion years and take a pass. Two comments:

If your body is an inverted triangle shape, with shoulders noticeably broader than your hips, enjoy this moment. Others are trying to emulate this look.

Also, for all women, this is the ideal time to consider whether adding small shoulder pads would make some of your garments hang better. If you have relatively narrow shoulders, adding small shoulder pads can serve to balance the top and bottom portions of your figure, resulting in more of an hourglass shape.

7. Suede shoes and handbags -Can be combined with other trends – e.g., grey or animal prints or tough chic. One sub-category featured at Bergdorf is the lace-up oxford, a classic, comfortable walking shoe. Suede has much the same effect as velvet, in being light-absorbing, the complete opposite of the shiny/sparkly trend.

8. Thigh-high boots – You know who you are if you can wear this style. The boots are definitely investment pieces, so be sure you have occasion to wear them, as this is not a style to wear to work or to a PTA meeting.

9. Bib necklaces – Statement necklaces continue their reign as an important trend for fall 2009.

To achieve a similar effect, combine two or more less massive necklaces, but be sure that the pieces are related in appearance in scale and material.