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Fall Fashion - The Inside Look

As we are writing the October issue of the Go Girl's Ezine, the New York City Fashion Week - Spring 2006 is underway in Bryant Park complete with runway shows and extravagant parties. According to NewYorkMetro.com, the new up and coming designers to watch are Miguel Pena, Doo Ri, Sue Stemp, Sari Gueron and a few more names sure to be seen in the fashion magazines.

Great! So the designers have already set the trends for spring and you aren't decked out for fall yet. Here are a few tips and trends for Fall 2005.

The Uptown Looks are chic with a nice price tag too:
For Men, Prada is the name of the game and for a different label try Burberry London or Calvin Klein Collection for suits.

For women, it is silk all the way in 3.1 Philip Lim, Ferragamo, Rochas or Chloe. Add fur and cashmere to warm it up a bit.

Now what are the rest of us going to wear? First of all, find ways to recycle what you already have. If you followed our advice and have classic base pieces, then you should just add some trendy accessories. And in case I really do have to say it. UGGS are CASUAL. They are not the thing this season but if you must keep wearing them, do not pair them with anything more than casual clothes, and we mean CASUAL. Did everybody get that?

Ok so where were we? Yes, the fall trends.

1. Velvet has replaced corduroy as the winter fabric du jour.
2. Belted jackets, sweaters, and pants are in but be careful if you have large hips or bust. You can make yourself look event more top or bottom heavy.
3. Feminine and romantic are the two adjectives of the season (to a point). Ruffles on blouses seem to follow the rule of the bigger the better this season.
4. Vintage is still in and so are peasant skirts, tunics and knee-high boots.
5. Jewelry - chunky with large beads or polished stones or long strings hanging down nearly to the waist.
6. Layering - superlight knits in layers with the bottom layer extending beyond the top.
7. And on this last one, just remember we report on the trends. We don't set them. Fur and hides are back. Leopard prints are out but crocodile is in.

Before you go out and buy everything listed in the fashion magazines, remember it has to be you and it has to fit you. For some reminders, we recommend rereading our article Your Wardrobe: 7 Basic Steps to Success before hitting the pavement.

Decorating
By ON THE GO 4 U Design Consultant Suzanne Copenhaver

Fall is here and in most of the country that involves a change in temperature, outdoor activities and the beginnings of the holiday season.

You don’t have to decorate your home with pumpkins or flying bats to bring the fall season indoors. Any natural thing from chrysanthemums and asters to gourds, leaves or bowls of nuts can give your home a lift. Since the fall flowers come in every shade imaginable you can chose between the bright yellows and oranges or the softer plums, lavenders and burgundies. There’s nothing better for prolonging the summer. If you don’t want to care for flowers, try dried grasses or hydrangeas or even the humble straw flowers. They all add a temporary lift to your decor.

For those with allergies, bringing live or dried plants into the home can be a problem. Take a trip to your local garden center and look at the colors and then go off to your favorite accessory stores and buy pillows and throws that will bring those colors inside. You’ll appreciate their warmth and color as the days darken and the temperatures drop.

Fashion Tidbits for Him

This year's fashion trends for men are following the same path as last year with a few new twists. Preppy is still in but don't pull out your old high school cardigan. The styles have been smartened up a bit. Argyle sweaters are back again this year along with cardigans and sweater vests. Pair them with suits, sports jackets or a pea coat. The western look is also in but don't overdo it. This is still the east coast.

The season's male fashions continue with paisley, checks, plaids and even florals for men's button down shirts. Pair these with black chinos (yes it says black not khaki) or grey jeans (the new in color for men).

And speaking of color, dark reds, black, navy and purple in addition to grey are making the scene for men this fall. If you aren't brave enough to wear a purple shirt, then try it in accessories like a tie. Grey is back in a big way in the grey suit. Pinstripes are still going strong but grey flannel suits are in with a vengeance.

The other "in" fabric this season is velvet even for men, but if that is a little too over the top for you, then stick with corduroy.

No matter what you do for fall fashion, be comfortable, be yourself and look good!

Fall Colors in Fashion & Makeup

The summer colors tended toward fun and bright turquoises, pinks, and greens. We are going to warm things up and tone down a bit with the fall selection. No matter what color names the designers give them, the trend this year is very much in the gold tones. Burgandy, rust, wine, camel, and dark chocolate brown.

However the two hot colors for fall are purple and green. The green is a continuation of the summer, but warmed up a bit with burnt olives, celeries, and a darker celadon. We expect green to be around for another season or so. The trend color of the season is purple and the warmer the purple the better.

The makeup industry very closely mirrors the trends of the fashion industry. The color palettes this fall are golds, peaches and plums. As with anything in color, remember to choose colors that are right for your skin tone.

Dinner Parties: The Series Returns

For the summer months, we abandoned the indoor table in favor of restaurants and picnics. We are back and it is time to start planning your dinner parties again. We hope you haven't forgotten all of the tips and that you carried them through to your trendy and chic picnics. In case you have, however, here are a few reminders:

1. Plan it out on paper. Use the basic Who? What? Where? When? How?
2. Don’t over compensate. Your guests will not be impressed by 10 appetizers, 3 entrees and a dessert cart for a sit down dinner party. If you are doing a buffet that is a different situation.
3. Balance Colors. Bad move: all of the food in a neutral color. This not only indicates that your food choices are boring but are also lacking in nutrition. Good move: Lots of color!
4. Use the foods of the season. For example: Do not plan a menu using strawberries in the middle of winter as it may be difficult to find any that are top quality. Do use apples, pumpkin, and squash in your fall dinner menus.
5. Dress to impress; the food that is. Plan a menu that looks elegant, but doesn’t consume three days to prepare. It is all in the presentation. The simplest dish can look exquisite.
6. Have everything staged and ready to go in advance. Your guests will be uncomfortable if you are flitting in and out of the kitchen.
7. Practice, practice, practice. Use your family for regular practice runs. Always set the table with matching cutlery and dishes and put food in serving dishes. This way you know what you have and are not floundering to figure out how to present your meals to guests.

Reviews

Books:
When fall comes around I think of the Northeast, fall folliage and all of the scents and colors that we enjoy. So while thinking of our original 13 colonies as the leaves start to change colors, pick up Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts. If you don't like history this is probably not for you, but she did a great job of tying together transcripts and letters of the 1700s to paint a picture of the women behind the men who formed our nation.

Music:
As the days get shorter and darker, I find sometimes I have to motivate myself to get going. Why not put on a rousing Celtic CD to get your blood flowing. One of my favorites is Lunasa's self-titled album. You won't need that cup of coffee if you start your day with this one.

Food:
Back by popular demand are restaurant recommendations, and here I go with the 13 colonies theme again. If you are in Georgetown and want something above the average, make reservations at 1789 on 36th street. Not looking for quaint? Then try trendy Neyla on N St. It has a mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine and you just never know who you might see there.

Have you read a book or been to a restaurant that you think ON THE GO 4 U readers would enjoy? Send us an email. No time to read a book? Call us now!