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Dear Readers,
According to Harper's Bazaar, there are 973 new looks for Fall 2011.
I see more like three or four, but that's just me.
This season the two Kates rule!
Top billing belongs to Kate Hepburn and the late great style of the 40's. Longer, well-tailored coats and jackets paired with high waisted, wide leg trousers and matching turtlenecks . . . I love this look.
My advice?
Skip the pants with the pleats unless you are 5' 10" and 110 pounds.
In that case, not only can you wear pleated pants, you must! But please understand that your friends might hate you for it.
As for the rest of us mere mortals, we need to be careful about the jackets we choose if we like the new wide leg trousers. Slim cut long jackets are new, but not for everyone. Petite women will do better with a shorter geared top.
Either way, I implore you to be a discriminating shopper. In the words of the immortal Coco Chanel: Fashion is architecture. It is a matter of proportions.
Next, let's talk about the coat/dress combo. This is a new take on an old classic. It's always been a stylish way to dress, but this year it's tres trendy. Again, a big thumbs up from yours truly. Notice the monochromatic color approach? We used to call this a matching outfit, remember? I am just delighted to see this classic way of dressing coming back! Thanks to the very well dressed and extremely popular Princess Kate, most designers are showing monochromatic looks this season! Fashion editors are calling it the ladylike look.
It also has the ability to make one look taller and slimmer, in case you're wondering.
Add a pair of quality leather pumps and a ladylike handbag and you are good to go. Be it a client meeting or just dinner with friends, you absolutely cannot go wrong in the coat/dress combo you see pictured on the right. The luxurious yet modern drape of a cashmere cowl collar along with the soft neutral color combine for a very classy look, don't you think? Remember the coat/dress ensemble Mrs. Obama wore for the inauguration? This is the same idea, but in 2011/12, your coat should be the same color and approximately the same length as your dress or trousers.
The color of the moment is red. It was red last year too. And the year before that. (Can we spot a trend or what?) Red and gold are always the best accents for black, white, camel and grey, especially when it comes to accessories. Read more about the color red here.
Of course, blue is still beautiful, but purple, I fear, is about to take its last curtain call.
The big cape like shawl collars we are seeing on coats and jackets this year are also a new take on an old classic. Clearly an homage to the 50's and the lovely Jackie O, I must offer a word of caution here. Don't let this cape style overwhelm you. It can be a bit dramatic.
And just for fun, I would love to hear your thoughts on the leather pants pictured with our red cape coat!
nancypipal@gmail.com
And last but certainly not least, I am positively thrilled to announce the most surprising change of all (thanks to Princess Kate who is rarely seen without them). Sheer nude pantyhose are in! I never thought I would see the day when all the designers would show the polished, professional, and very chic look of sheer nude hosiery in their national ads. As a matter of fact, I was hard pressed to find anyone wearing black opaques or tights in either Vogue or Harper's Bazaar this month. Sheer black and patterned hose, however, were featured quite often. Perfect for evening, but definitely not for the office.
In case you didn't notice, the photo on the right shows sheer black stockings, not pantyhose!
Are they not so sexy?
Would we dare?
What the heck.
I will if you will . . .
Best regards,
Nancy
www.nancypipal.com
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