There are a few surprises this season – athletic trend is an unexpected turn – and a few old favorites – prints and knits, to name a few. Fall 2014 apparel trends feature both comfortable and striking fashion, a delicate balance that will prevail. Here are a few of my favorite trends for Fall 2014 fashion.
Novelty Patterns and Prints
Novelty prints are everywhere this Fall. Black, white and blue combination is an easy mix of prints to start with. “You can have fun with this one!” says Shari Barnett, former designer for Donna Karan NY and now Director of Creative Services & lead fashion designer/stylist for Productions Plus.
“Printed pants, printed tops, prints top-to-bottom… all look on-trend for the season and come at all price points”, says Shari.
Digitized, computer-generated, modern prints are in.
If you are thinking about animal print, leopard is definitely the king of the season, especially in brighter colors. However, zebra, lion and snake prints are still excellent choices for Fall 2014 fashion.
Pairing your prints/patterns with a muted or neutral color will help them pop even better. Many designers even included animal ornaments in their collections for Fall.
Another color trend still popular in the Fall is color-blocking, now seen in jackets, sweaters, and more.
Athletic apparel
Everyone is embracing fitness more, which makes me happy. And designers are not afraid to let this wave enter the fashion world. The sweatpants are in wild prints and luxurious fabrics, baseball jackets look chic. The stylish new sweatpant is a nice alternative to jeans. Don’t forget to accessorize too, for example with Prep Sportwear which allows you to customize your athletic style – make it your own.
Another sporty touch is a striped waistband on otherwise normal skirt.
Baseball jackets are huge for fall.
Sweatshirt style tops are not only comfortable but easily wearable day to night – it’s all a matter of accessories.
Sweater Dressing
Sweater dressing is a big trend for the cold season and it’s big for Fall 2014.
“Sweaters are easy to throw on but can be very chic when you mix up cut-and-sew knits with hand-knits”, says Shari Barnett, “Also try a monotone color palette in various weights for a textural effect.”
Oversized sweaters, especially turtlenecks, are a big trend. The way not to look too bulky in chunkier, more voluminous clothes is to still show a silhouette, whether it’s pairing the oversized sweater with a pencil skirt or pant or by cinching the waist with a belt. The key is to look feminine.
Layering Up & Mixing Fabrics
I love this trend because it’s very functional in our wintry mix-into sunny days-kind of weather. Plus, it goes beautifully with the mix of contrasting fabrics, so popular this Fall. Layering up and mixing tweed and lace, silk and wool – a perfect sign of the duality of the Fall season.
Top Colors: Pastels and Gray
The neutrals go well in the all-season dresses and gray is a stand-out, especially in jeans – hottest jean color this season. I think jeans deserve a special mention. First of all, we wear them all the time. Second, it’s not that often that a gray jean is kicking blues to the curb.
Pastels are an emerging trend for Fall – you’ll see them in skirts, pants, coats.
“Head-to-toe pastel looks great, or when mixed with grey or navy”, says Shari Barnett, “Just make sure that your pastels are in warm fabrications like wool so the translation is clear.”
Metallic Accents
Metallics for day: yes, this is a popular concept this Fall, says Shari Barnett.
“Metallic accents are everywhere for fall: from business suits or woven into a wool jackets or pants. Everyone from J. Crew to Chanel has metallic accents to incorporate into daytime looks for fall.”
Menswear-inspired
Menswear fabrications and details seem to stay firm from seasons past.
“Ladies can borrow menswear construction and details to take style “basics” and turn them into mix-with-everything pieces”, says Shari Barnett. She suggests trying marled and worsted wools in tonal grey – “they look amazing in a tailored pant”, she suggests.
