For the average Polar Bear, early September is a time of chaos, new beginnings, stressful academia, and the soon-to-be redundant party scene. Thus, when we dress ourselves, it seems sensible to take all this into consideration and address the demands of our hectic lifestyle.
Like summer wear, fall clothing should be comfortable. The trick is to not to jeopardize your style, be it formal, alternative, or casual. Worry less about colors, and focus on the fabric and ply of clothing. Don't rush all your summer threads into storage! Instead, pair shorts, summer slacks, dresses, and skirts with lightweight cotton, cashmere, or linen tops. Layering is the key to a chic autumn. Begin to fade out electric bright colors and summer pastels with more muted or rich shades. Hold off on corduroy, wools, flannel, fur, thick cotton, and lined outerwear for another month.
For now, let's focus on the tops. The must have for fall is the cardigan, preferably with a shoal collar. In Milan and Paris, labels such as Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci proved the cardigan is now both a formal and informal staple. Cable knit or chunky, worn with short or long bottoms, it provides a layered comfort with a refined autumn look.
I strongly prefer a dress shirt over a tee any day. An excellent way to make collared button-ups more casual and practical is simply to roll up the sleeves. This look is sharp and tidy but relaxed, for men and women. If a dress shirt is too proper, match it with a fun rugby shirt, long sleeved tee, or oversized sweater with short bottoms or leggings. Below I've listed some of my favorite labels (at varying prices) for implementing this look.
J.Crew (http://www.jcrew.com): I'm consistently bored with their male offerings, but I did like the nicely updated fall collection of dress and jackets ($130 to $300), with a "Parisian" influence.
James Perse (http://www.jamesperse.com): This L.A.-based designer has been the king of comfortable, informal tops and a favorite in my book for years. I highly recommend this label for those of you who find tees more to your beat. Ranging from $40 to $250 apiece, there are various styles and colors, from simplistic crew tees to the designer's recognizable signature reverse-stitching button-ups and long- or short-sleeved tees.
American Apparel (http://americanapparel.net): For those of you who fancy lower prices and sweatshop-free clothing, but value quality and style, American Apparel delivers. With tops ranging from $20 to $60, it certainly gives your wallet a break.
Edun (http://www.edunonline.com): The label from U2 singer Bono, Edun ("nude" backwards), is a high-end socially conscious label. Bono and head designer Rogan Gregory look to use it as a tool to promote trade rather than aid in developing nations in Africa. Most of these subdued rock-chic tops are luxurious blends of material, superior stitching, and grays, whites, browns, and blacks from $40 to $200.
Marc by Marc Jacobs (http://marcjacobs.com): The god of high fashion knitwear branched out to embrace us with a more informal chic?the "cheaper" label Marc by Marc. Offering incredible men's and women's tops that are perfect for fall layering by the fashion-conscious, Marc Jacobs is by far my preference. With an array of looks from boho and street chic to hipster savvy, your options are both progressive and numerous, ranging from $50 to $450. But have no fear, Marc by Marc Jacobs frequently offers specials and sales. Invest in some Marc Jacobs, you deserve it!
Custo Barcelona (http://www.custo-barcelona.com): For those whose flavor runs a tad on the fabulously intricate or daring side, I've been a long time fan of the brilliant Custo Barcelona tops ranging from $75 to $600 (bring the credit card...). Au courant pop chic prints meet vibrant colors, spontaneous patterns, and shapes with this bold label. Almost every one of these elite tops is under copyright, as well as stupendously comfortable and versatile. You need personality and a carefree attitude to pull these fun ones off.
Next time: Combating trends and reports from the Spring/Summer 2008 runways in New York.