IF fall’s fancier trends have you flummoxed, you’re not alone.
Even celebrities seem to be struggling mightily with pulling off the colorful patterns, endless tweed and splashes of fur in stores right now – and they’ve got a platoon of stylists at their beck and call.
Just look at Sharon Stone, Jessica Simpson and Chloe Sevigny – usually among Hollywood’s best-dressed.
But we recently caught them all looking like they were under animal attack – at dire risk of strangulation by the unruly pelts around their necks.
Someone call animal rescue – now.
Real or fake, a touch of fur around the collar can add an air of sophisticated elegance.
The key word here is touch – less is definitely more when it comes to the most confounding fall trends.
Here’s a guide to how to – and how not to – wear the key looks for fall, illustrated by some very familiar faces.
LEOPARD PRINTS
DO: Use them as a glamour note.
DON’T: Let them overwhelm you.
Angelina Jolie hits the right note by choosing one knockout leopard-print piece (note: her short, belted trench is made from a fine, figure-flattering weight) and dresses it down (with jeans and boots) to create an effortless (“I just threw this on”) cool look.
But Shoshanna unsuccessfully mixes two trends in one with this leopard capelet.
The rich pattern, combined with the boxy shape of the capelet, swamps Shoshanna’s enviable hourglass figure and screams fashion victim.
Animal prints can be dangerous, so remember to practice restraint.
PATTERNED DRESSES
DO: Think of pattern as a tool to soup up your wardrobe.
DON’T: Overdose on large, competing mix-and-match prints.
While Madonna looks svelte, shapely and feminine in a delicately patterned wrap dress, Jennifer Connelly looks like she’s been swallowed by competing overpowering loud prints.
Less is more: A small, subtle print is far more flattering on every body than oversized, attention-seeking patterns.
REVAMPED BRUNETTES
DO: Think of brunettes as the new blondes.
DON’T: Turn dark into dowdy. Reese nails the sultry dark hair color with a healthy, bouncy style that gives her an air of sophistication she never had with her girly blond coif.
But Renée Zellweger’s new brunette style lacks any breezy kick – the severe, ironed-flat ‘do drains all color from her face.
If you decide to cross over to the dark side, be sure to change your makeup palette accordingly.
LINGERIE-INSPIRED TOPS
DO: Use them to dress up jeans.
DON’T: Look like you just rolled out of bed.
Kelly proves you don’t have to be under 21 to look hip in a wrap chiffon top, jazzed up with a novelty brooch.
Denise’s too-tight take on the lingerie top looks tarty, while Kirsten’s rumpled version is just plain sloppy. Next time, she should tuck it in or cinch it with a belt.
TWEED COATS
DO: Go for a sharply tailored, curvy silhouette.
DON’T: Select a shapeless coat that will add years to your age – and pounds to your figure.
J.Lo smartly layers a lightweight tweed over a slinky dress.
Proving that black doesn’t always make you look thinner, even the pixie-ish Winona looks like she’s had her hand in the cookie jar. A splash of color – even under the coat – will provide a necessary lift.
LADYLIKE LUXE
DO: Remember, proper can also be pretty.
DON’T: Get go overboard coordinating the pieces.
Of course, it helps to be a size 2, but as Nicole knows, the key to pulling off this softly tailored trend is proportion.
Nicole gets it right by pairing a tweed pencil skirt with a snug-fitting, cap-sleeve cashmere top. The skinny belt and delicate shoes finish this polished look – though most of us wouldn’t be able to get away with the bow in the hair.
Selma, on th other hand translates the trend too literally. The suit is far too frumpy for her, and felt isn’t a fabric that does anybody favors. She should lose the ungainly jacket and paired the bow-belted straight skirt with either a frothy vintage blouse or a form-fitting, bright top.
The luxe look is all about a flirty mix of masculine touches (tailored tweeds), softened with feminine embellishments (cashmere and lace).
