OOTD #1

Coat: Mango

Shirt: Mango

Shorts: Airspace

Tights & knee-high socks: Tutuanna

Wedges: Cheap Monday

Watch: Michael Kors

Bangles: Shashi

Rings: Bijoux; Tiffany & Co.; Low Luv x Erin Wasson

Earrings: Swarovski; (Vintage)

Necklace: Chanel

one trend at a time

Keep up with current fall styles without having to buy an entire new wardrobe.

Here are 5 basic outfits using fundamental articles of clothing that you would have in your closet matched with one article of clothing or accessory that represents Fall 2011.

#1
What you would already have: 

A basic cardigan, a scarf, a pair of (leather) leggings, and your go-to bag (which is, for example, a tote, that is of a "safe" color like black, brown, or white). 

This season's must have: 

Bright warm-colored shoes.
Note--This past summer season was all about neon colors, especially the cool colors, like blue, purple, and green. Don't be disappointed because this fall is all about the brights too--of the warm colors. Of course we all know that the must-have colors of clothing for every autumn season are black, brown, orange, and beige. This year's fall allows you to spice up your earthly colors with brights of that color family. The basics are red, orange, and yellow; including their different shadings. Green can be seen on the runway a lot too, which also includes shades like teal, turquoise, and blue-green. 

Tory Burch Simone boyfriend cardigan; green knit scarf; Haute Hippie paneled leather pants; Giuseppe Zanotti Giuseppe for Christopher Kane GI 0001 heels; MICHAEL Michael Kors "Jenna" medium shoulder bag; Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2011 (bright teal boots)

#2

What you would already have: 

A casual/daytime dress, a basic shoulder bag, and a pair of ankle booties.

This season's must-have: 

A parka/anorak

Note--This fall, look boyish with a hint of a feminine vibe, like wearing this daytime dress under a military-green parka.

Barbed over-size parka; American Vintage oversize t-shirt dress; Ashford Tan Snaffle lace up ankle boots; Alexander McQueen Arron shoulder bag; Vera Wang Fall 2011 (parka)

#3

What you would already have: 

A leather jacket, a tank top, a clutch, and a pair of classic pumps. 

This season's must-have: 

Bright-colored trousers

Note--Make a dark-toned outfit pop with a pair of eye-catching trousers.

Willow Asymmetric leather jacket; Surface To Air knitted tank; Premium wide leg trousers; DSQUARED2 Pump Carrie Vernice Sfumata pumps; Lanvin calf hair wristlet clutch; Hermés Fall 2011 (bright yellow pants)

#4

What you would already have: 

A button-up shirt, jeggings, and a pair of knee-high boots.

This season's must-have: 

Metallic bag

Note--Colorful metallics are not necessarily easy to pull off with just about any outfit, thus if you are worried about the practicality of investing in metallic accessories, go for a neutral toned bag like gold or silver.

Neon Hart suede shirt; Juicy Couture 4990 Georgia Denim jeggings; Ruper Sanderson black leather riding boot; Marc Jacobs Carter metallic leather bag; Jason Wu Fall 2011 (metallic blue clutch)

#5

What you would already have:

A turtle-neck, jeans, a hobo bag, and a pair of flats. 

This season's must-have: 

(Hard-core) metal chokers

Note--A choker is a jewelry that can easily transform a simple, every-day outfit, to a more styled up look without needing other accessories such as bracelets or earrings. 

Atelier Mayer 1970's silver metal choker; Derek Lam cashmere turtle-neck jumper; Dark Mid super skinny jeans; Winifred ruched flats; Givenchy small Tinhan hobo; Michael Kors Fall 2011 (metal choker)

combining fall trends of 2011

Sometimes, perhaps most of the time, what you see on the runway is not necessarily what you can or are able to wear on a regular basis. Here are some basic tips on color and pattern coordination from current trends on the runway for everyday looks. 

#1 - Crisp-white (tuxedo) jackets, pleated skirt, loafer pumps, bright red bags

STYLE TIP: It can be difficult to pick a pair of shoes to match with a colorful attire and bold accessories. A start is using a subtle yet counter-balancing color from your entire outfit as reference. Of course, if you are still unsure, you can just go for any neutral/safe color like white, black, gray, beige...etc as the color of your shoes. In this example outfit, the thin black lining in the white blazer seems to be the appropriate contrasting hue that we are looking for. Hence, a black pair of heels would be the perfect neutralizer.

Hint--This same concept can be used when in the opposite situation: when you are dressed in dark colors, pick a color that is subtle yet stands out in the outfit, for example, the color of a patchwork or button from your clothing. Then wear a pair of shoes of that color to stand out.

Jason Wu wool-blend tuxedo jacket; Markus Lupfer pleated knitted skirt; Alexander Wang Anais loafer pumps; Alexander McQueen red velvet Union clutch

Yves Saint Laurent fall 2011
[Focus: White tuxedo jacket]

#2 - Large polka-dots; lace-up heels; animal print bags

STYLE TIP: Want to mix & match prints? Don't go over the board with more than 2 distinctive prints if you want a well-put-together outfit. Choose different prints with the same color coordination. In this case, the black from the polka-dotted dress and the black from the leopard bag are a match, even though they are of clashing patterns. 

Moschino Cheap & Chic polka-dot dress; Giuseppe Zanotti lace-up heels; Yves Saint Laurent Cabas Chyc leopard print bag

Marc Jacobs fall 2011

[Focus: Large polka-dots]

#3 - Fur(-trimmed) coats; thigh-high boots; fur bags

STYLE TIP: Your outfit from head to toe is of a boring, monotonous color. Don't fret, add spice to it by adorning an explosive accessory, like this colorful and bright Miu Miu bag in the example. In order for the entire look to appear coherent instead of a mess, try to match a color (i.e. white or red), a print (i.e. plaid or stripes), or even just the fabric type (i.e. leather or denim). In this case, the fur material from the coat matches the faux fur of this Miu Miu bag. 

Fendi cashmere swing coat w/mink fur cuffs; Laurence Dacade Silas thigh-high boots; Miu Miu Pelouche faux fur & leather shoulder bag

Dior fall 2011

[Focus: Thigh-high boots]

introducing trends of fall 2011

Outerwear, lengthy bottoms, buckles, orange hues, & long dangles

McQ Alexander McQueen Corset Detail peplum jacket; Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Just-Au-Corps wool-blend duffel coat; Diane von Furstenberg Bernice cocoon wool-blend coat

Milly pants; EDUN Bottle green seamed silk maxi skirt; Bebe Tweed black pants 

Stuart Weitzman Iron Lady buckled leather ankle boots; Alexander McQueen buckled metallic leather ankle boots; Miu Miu glitter & suede peep-toe ankle boots

Loewe Flamenco bag; Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Pitone clutch; Proenza Schouler PS11

Oscar de la Renta Pewter-plated crystal drop clip-on earrings; House Of Harlow Gold Coin drop earrings; Iosselliani extra-long fringe earrings 

top favorite trends from SS2011

Sheers, High-waists, Wedges, Handle bags, & Stone rings

Charlie Silk button-up shirt

High Low blouse

Deuxieme Classe blouse

Alberta Ferretti S/S 2011

Oh-So-Lovely shorts

3.1 Phillip Lim high-waisted wool-blend pleated shorts

Leather high-waist shorts

Balmain S/S 2011

Paloma Barceló Agamar embellished suede wedge sandals; Alexander McQueen 266167WAJC01000 wedges; Chloé Studded leather wedge sandals

Fendi Silvana handle bag; Alexander Wang Ryan Ombré patent-leather & suede bag; Mulberry Edie bag

Stella's Large Black Onyx bohemian style ring; Topshop wire wrapped ring; Belle Noel by Kim Kardashian 14KT gold stone & pave cocktail ring