all officially began Sept. 22, ushering in the end of summer wardrobe staples and the beginning of autumn fashions.
This year’s fall fashions offer a wide variety of dressing options, from western inspired jeans, cowboy boots and fringe, to items that could come from your grandfather’s closet.
Katie Jacob, owner of Stella Boutique on Jefferson Hwy., said she’s been stocking up on plenty of pieces for fall.
Jacob said corduroy, cowboy boots and long prairie skirts will continue the western and bohemian theme that started this summer.
“The western-bohemian trend is going to be big – that started with cowboy boots this summer,” Jacob said. “Some people are selling cowboy hats and stuff, but I personally don’t see a lot of girls wearing that around. Jeans are still in but now jeans with a western look, jeans that look like Wranglers, but you don’t actually want to wear Wranglers.”
Andrea Hemelt, co-owner of Eros on Corporate Road, said jeans also get punched up with detailed embroidery.
“All my denim lines are coming out with embroidered jeans now,” Hemelt said. “There are only so many basics you can buy.”
Hemelt said the western cowboy boots work well paired with sun-dresses from the summer.
“Just pull a cute sundress out of your closet and throw on some cowboy boots,” Hemelt said. “You can even add a brown jacket if it’s colder.”
Jennifer Mathis, manager of the Perkins Road location of Bella Bella, said the bohemian trend continues the vintage revival from previous seasons.
“We’re selling a lot of bohemian skirts, layered necklaces and the wedges,” Mathis said. “All of that has come back from the ’60s and ’70s.”
Mathis said the most important pieces to build a fall wardrobe are long skirts, gaucho pants, tank tops with blazers and accessories such as belts, long layered necklaces and bangle bracelets.
Mathis said the belts can add an extra element of style in just the way they are worn.
“We are selling a lot of belts – the braided belts and Moroccan belts,” Mathis said. “But they are not worn in the belt loops. The belts that we sell are to be worn on the outside of the clothing. It adds a different touch.”
Belts work well over one of fall’s major trends, tunic-style tops.
Hemelt said these are the must-have for the fall.
“The number one thing is tunics – tunic sweaters, tunic tees,” Hemelt said. “Wear the cropped jacket over a longer shirt.”
For fans – and foes – of gaucho pants, the trend will continue but slightly altered.
Jacob said gauchos will continue to be a big piece until the weather gets cooler.
“Gauchos are still going to be in for the fall but now in a full length,” Jacob said. “It’s the fold-over pants with the big wide legs like Jessica Simpson wears. We’re getting those in pretty much every color.”
While peacoat and factory style jackets are crowding the runways of major designers, Louisiana weather tends to swelter those who attempt to follow trends in outerwear.
But Mathis said there are options for those hoping to look fashionable without looking sweaty.
“We’re selling a lot of lightweight peacoats,” she said. “It’s not really like a coat, real thin material, but it still has the peacoat buttons going down the front. We sold a lot of them for fall with the matching cropped gaucho pants with them.”
Hemelt said that this season’s fur jackets can still be worn in the southern fall heat.
“The fur blazers are great,” Hemelt said. “You just need to make sure you put something cool under it. Wear something cotton and fitted under it so you can breathe.”
Jacob said detailed buttons add an extra touch to blazers and pants, and leather button covers have a great vintage feel.
“There are a lot of leather button covers,” Jacob said. “It looks kind of like your grandfather’s jacket with them on jackets and pants.”
Another option for layering for a more seasonal look is the vest.
Hemelt said vests are are a great way to make an outfit move through different settings.
“Vests are cute to wear out by themselves over a tank top or a wife-beater under it,” Hemelt said. “Or you can wear a jacket and take it off if you get hot.”
Contact Kim Moreau at [email protected]