As fall approaches, the opportunity for an updated wardrobe maybe exciting for some, but a nightmare for others.
Since clothing and accessory shops stocked up early on thisseason’s fashion fruit, The Reveille’s Entertainment section foundits favorite picks to bring personal style without touching theplastic.
Where it all begins
The crutch of every season’s style is from the top designer’srunway shows. For the fall season, the haute couture andready-to-wear mirror a blend of styles that elude to the 60s, 70sand 80s.
Both Gucci and Louis Vuitton spotlight full-length fur coats andmatching scarves. Shoemakers Tod and Gianni Bini revealed theclassic Mary Jane fit, along with a “pilgrim pump,” perfecting therounded toe.
Kenneth Cole premired neutral tweed jackets livened up with boldcrocodile bags.
Versace’s classic line revealed unusual, clean-cut necklines inboth men’s and women’s tailored tops. John Varvatos proved thatbrown is back with a trend of slim, suede jackets with largecollars.
For men, Tommy Hilfiger features the classic oxford shirt, butin vivid, bright patterns paired with colorful, striped neckties.
 
Calling Baton Rouge
Although those styles may dominate in New York or Milan, theylikely will not be found on campus. Luckily for students, theoutfit selections for this season leave room for loopholes to cheateven the simplest victim to full-blown style.
Layering is popular and makes the transition from summer to falleasier and less expensive. Bright colors are fashionable as well,so do not throw out those summer tints yet.
Find ways to incorporate a summer collection into “staple” itemsfor this season. For example, investing in a nice, fitted blazercould go a long way.
Invest in a color or fabric that will go with several thingsalready in your closet. This way, vivid, patterned or plain shirtscan be worn under it. Halter, tube or tank tops can be paired witha blazer also, or even warmer shirts, such as a button-down.
If your summer clothes are simple, stock up on jewelry that willdraw attention away from the fabric and accentuate your features.Vintage jewelry is stylish and relatively inexpensive. Stores suchas Goodwill and Time Warp offer unique pieces for little money. Theclassic set of pearls is an easy buy, since they can be dressy orcasual and they coordinate with several colors.
“‘Ladylike’ is coming back into style,” said Laren Leblanc, afashion merchandising senior. “Covering up and showing less skin ismore popular now. Pearls go hand-in-hand with that look.”
Going back to a more prudish style, brooches are a uniquefeature for fall. While you could buy new ones, go throughrelatives’ old jewelry collections to find original (and free)accessories.
“Find different ways to wear a brooch,” Leblanc said. “Forinstance, gathering your shirt or scarf at the waist and pinningit.”
 
Making it your own
Although jewelry cannot be altered, clothing is another story,and this is your opportunity to snag a style that is trulyyours.
Living in Baton Rouge, shoppers are left with few options fororiginality. Always look for different ways to change shirts ordresses so that they may better fit your style.
Simply cutting, dye-ing or sewing a popular clothing piece canmake a huge difference.
“I found an 80s dress at a thrift store,” Leblanc said. “It wasreally disgusting as a dress, but as a shirt it was cute.”
If sewing is not easy for you, try wearing the articledifferently, by folding the fabric and using pins (eg. Sara JessicaParker in Gap cardigan wrapped and pinned on the side).
After spending the summer in New York, Leblanc saw a uniquetrend among young women.
“I kept seeing women wearing slips and a tunic over jeans,”Leblanc said. “They would dye them and re-sew them using differentthreads.”
As always, denim is a necessity for the season. However,opposite of the tailored trend, damaged jeans are in style. If youdo not want to pay for worn denim, check thrift stores, or evenyour own closet and alter the material personally.
Ann Glaviano, an English senior, said the key to personal styleis to break the common rules of fashion.
“There’s really only one cardinal rule,” Glaviano said. “Andthat’s the black-and-brown law, but even that can be broken.”
Glaviano takes a personal interest in fashion, but finds it haslittle to do with what you are actually wearing.
“If you are wearing something you like and you’re confident init, that’s what’s important,” she said. “A sense of personal styleshould reflect who you are, not what you saw in a magazine.”
 
Hair and makeup
For fall hair, a simple cut is easiest. A side part not onlyhelps with face shape, but it offers asymmetry and style.
Natural-looking hair is popular as well. Sleek styles, such aswearing the hair straight or curled under is fashionable.
For men, a side part is ideal, too. Having the length a bit pastclean-cut with little product will achieve the trend.
The current makeup styles are parallel to that of hair: simple.As always, a clean and even tone is desired. No excessive blush orcolor throughout the face. For eyes, minimal eyeliner during theday and neutral colors for the inner-crease of the eyelid creates anatural look.
If you have dark colors, lighten them up by layering eye shadowswith off-white, cream colors. Mascara that matches the natural lashcolor opens the eyes, but is not overbearing. Draw attention toyour lips by using a vivid rouge color or tint.
 
Leblanc’s fall must-haves
-A pair of ballet flats
“They’re really comfortable and they go with everything.”
-Nice, fitted jacket
“They can be worn with almost anything and they last.”
-An orange coral necklace
“I really love those necklaces because they are so unique.”
HOT
1. The return of the pilgrim pump
2. Fitted blazers
3. Modesty
4. Accessories complimenting the outfit
5. Simple, prudish hair cuts
NOT
1. The return of cheetah print
2. Floor length cardigans
3. Skin
4. Accessories making the outfit
5. Wavy, highlighted beach hair