Fall Wardrobe Planning

Well it's Autumn! That point in time that marks the transition from summer into winter, when night becomes noticeably earlier, when there's a cool breeze blowing through the air, leaves beginning to turn,  football season, holidays and wardrobe......yes wardrobe!  Just how can you make a smooth, stylish transition from a light and breezy summer wardrobe into a warmer fall wardrobe, on a budget, of course.

You don't have to start from scratch  for a new fall wardrobe.  When transitioning all you need to do is cleverly match some of you summer pieces into new ones.  Believe it or not, there are pieces in your summer wardrobe or even your last year's fall wardrobe, right now, that will help transition and get you ready for your fall look.  Just remember, you are transitioning, so that means cool morning and warmer afternoons, for the most part, so some of those pieces from the summer will come in handy. Where do you start?  These transitioning steps apply to both men and women, so follow the steps below to get started:

•  Study the fall 2012 styles and trends, for colors, fabrics and design which fits your taste, by going on-line and flipping through fashion magazines such as Vogue and Instyle.

• Using mother nature as the inspiration, choose a mix of darks, brights and neutrals. Click to see the full fall 2012 color forecast and charts, by the authority of color forecasting, Pantone.
• Darks; Chartreuse, a beautiful yellow-green which creates a bridge into the cooling days of fall, think of the green foliage, it provides a perfect accent to every color in the palette. Pink Flambé and Tangerine Tango to heat things up a little, and to bring a calming element to the mix, combine these vibrant warm tones with Ultramarine Green, a deep, cooling blue-green. Also, consider Ethereal Rhapsody, a grayed-down purple that also encourages comfort and serenity with its quiet, muted tone.
• Brights; Honey Gold, a mellow, burnished yellow, suggests the soft-muted tones of sunlight to brighten a fall day. Pair it with sensible and strong Olympian Blue, a patriotic blue that will surely make its way into fall and winter athletic apparel.
• Neutrals;  French Roast; rich and robust, a sophisticated hue. Wear as an alternative to black. Titanium, a cool gray hue, and Rose Smoke, a skin tone hue with a rosey background.

•  Check your closet for pieces that fit the new fall 2012 style and trends. 

• Choose only those pieces from last fall and summer which are basic - trendy styles from past seasons will be outdated and will not work.

• Keep anything that fit the new fall color palette from above; shirts, tanks, cotton knit sweater, short summer dresses or skirts.  All of these pieces can be layered with shawls, stockings, boots and scarves for the fall.

•  Make a list of the basic pieces which need replacing or any you wish to purchase.

• Using tear-outs from the magazines or using your own creativity, incorporate the new fall color trends; scarf, handbag, shoes, hose, accessories, make-up and nail color. Remember, the transition pieces don't always have to be reflected in the wardrobe itself.

• Consider your budget when making a list of pieces you wish to purchase. Be creative - your goal is to duplicate the look and not necessarily purchase the same item at the designer price. However, purchasing quality pieces is a must. Try to avoid dry cleaning bills and instead purchase pieces that wear well and clean well with minimum upkeep.

•  Set your budget and then go shopping.

• When shopping for any new pieces, be sure and consider your silhouette or body type. Use the new fall 2012 hues in areas you want to accentuate or accent. That way you get more wear out of the garment or accessory, and use the neutrals as your background palette. 

•  With access to on-line shopping, you can compare prices and styles at your favorite department stores, boutiques and outlet stores, then follow up at your local malls and big box retailers, for they carry the new hues as well and at bargain prices. 

Be creative and don’t be afraid to mix things up. Trends come and go all the time but it’s just all a matter of opening up and using your ideas to help transition to the fall. And, I can stress enough to consider your budget. It is not worth it to prepare your fall wardrobe and then end up in debt because of it.  Once you have the basics, dressing for any occasion will be a snap for the fall.  Have fun and leave a comment below and let me know how things went for you!