The Bargain Hunter's Guide to Fall Fashion
Styles for every body and budget—plus belts, bangles...and of course, brilliant bags!
By Adam Glassman
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Goodbye Drab Neutrals—Hello Magenta!
Black edging strengthens the silhouette of this lightweight bouclé jacket.
Jacket, $69;
spiegel.com
. Flower pin, ban.do, $75;
shopbando.com
7 more rosy great buys under $100
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Good News! Affordable New Lines From Major Fashion Designers
Want to know the difference between the quality of Missoni knits at high-end boutiques and the quality of the Missonis now available at Target? Me, too! These pieces look just as amazing (and I don't use that word loosely) as their pricey counterparts.
$50; target.com
6 more must-have pieces from Missoni's Target collection
4 other designer lines you can actually afford
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Trend Alert: Color-Blocking 101
Mixing chunks of bold colors is a terrific concept, but last spring too many women were walking around looking like giant Legos. This fall embrace the trend without looking silly by getting the color-block effect from a single item, instead of doing the mix-and-match on your own.
4 more fall trends we love
Not sure the look is for you? Start small—you'll keep more money in your color-blocked wallet.
$85;
mywalit.com
This color-blocked shoe gives classic camel a whole new vibe.
$30; amiclubwear.com
Add a black cashmere sweater to this tricolor skirt, and you're good to go.
$275;
dkny.com
for stores
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Love That! French Classics with an American Twist
A bold red belt marries a polka-dot dress and chiffon-edged blazer.
Dress, $43; lulus.com.
Blazer, LC Lauren Conrad, $70; kohls.com.
Belt, Lodis, $58; vonmaur.com
5 more Parisian great buys under $100
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Take It In Stride
Sexy, classic, feminine, sure—but comfortable? Yup. Believe it or not, you can actually get away with wearing these heels all day.
Rockport's raisin suede platforms incorporate Adidas technology to cushion your feet.
Anyi Lu's pumps, with removable strap, were designed with fit in mind as much as fashion.
Suede pumps, $140; rockport.com,
Pumps with removable strap, $425, Bloomingdale's, NYC; 212-705-2000
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Look What We Found!
Get in step this season—with shoes inspired by men's slippers.
From left to right:
Leopard print is unexpected with a crisp silhouette and solid heel.
Steven by Steve Madden, $120;
stevemadden.com
Direct attention downward, with detailed embroidery and leather trim.
$425;
donaldjpliner.com
A masculine style takes a feminine step with a playful pink and gray print.
$395;
stubbsandwootton.com
Metallic silver slippers instantly glam up jeans and a T-shirt.
$385;
jimmychoo.com
Bordeaux velvet looks rich—not heavy—in a petite cut and soft shape.
$168;
colehaan.com
From the Runway to the O Way: Crazy for Collage
Patchwork adds a blast of color, pattern, and texture to everything in your closet. This is not an invitation to drape your grandmother's quilt around your shoulders and call it a day. It's a chance to be whimsical in a sophisticated way.
An ultrachic Rachel Roy patchwork dress you can wear anywhere
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Yes You Can...Wear Colored Pants!
Wearing tone on tone is no different from head-to-toe black: You're creating a line with a single palette—in this case, dusty teal.
Keep the color quiet. You don't want to be mistaken for a Cirque du Soleil acrobat.
When in doubt, go for a nude shoe.
Pants, Diane von Furstenberg, $298; dvf.com
4 more rules for pulling off bright trousers
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Double Take
Look at the dress on this page. A polished little number that seems made for metallic flats and an uptown hat and bag, right? Right...
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
But That's Only Half the Story
The skirt actually zips off to reveal a cool downtown dress; pair it with sparkly jewels and heels, and you're a whole new you.
$495; mackage.com
Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D
Weekend Warrior
Saturday and Sunday aren't code for schlumpadinka. Here are five ways to stay comfy without sacrificing shine.
1. A varsity sweater has the polish of a blazer, but it's far more relaxed.
2. Upgrade your tee to a chambray shirt.
3. Saddlebags outclass messenger bags but still leave your hands free.
4. A skinny riding pant offers more structure than leggings.
5. A compromise between stilettos and flip-flops: the stacked-heel boot.
Blazer, Autumn Cashmere, $395 at Skirt, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; 610-520-0222; Shirt, $178, 7forall mankind.com;
Bag, Dooney & Bourke, $350; dooney.com;
Pants, J Brand, $227, Saks Fifth Avenue; 877-612-7257; Boots, Stuart Weitzman, $695; 212-750-2555
Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D
Jackets With a Twist
The Look: Contrasting Sleeves
Want to see a great trick? Just slip on a jacket with contrasting sleeves. It draws the eye to your middle and carves out a curvy hourglass. This particular piece works wonders with winter white—but also rocks jeans.
Suno, $1,450; barneys.com
5 more new takes on fall jackets
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
This Time It's Personal
Here's a double-button, double-vented, fully lined jacket from Franklin + Gower that sits right at the hip, plus a nicely tailored skirt to match. But there's more: You get to choose the fabric and trim finishes yourself. Now that's well-suited!
Jacket, was $460, now $391; skirt, was $110, now $94; use code OPRAH2; franklinandgower.com
From the Runway to the O Way: Pocahontas Redux
When I saw this season's neo-Navajo looks, it was love
at first sight. This nod to Native American style is fresh and folkloric without being costumey.
Just steer clear of pigtails
and feathers; nobody's looking to remake
Dances with Wolves.
A Navajo tote that's perfect for weekends
Published 09/14/2011
