Stylish fall leather elicits a smile from Heidi Graves of Nanette Kadair, while Martinez Custom Clothier’s Jeffrey LeBlanc looks forward to wearing the three-piece tweed suit he designed and created.
It’s easy to forget in steamy September that—officially at least—fall is just weeks away.
While Baton Rougeans will have to wait a bit longer for actual cooler weather, the style-conscious already are thinking about new duds they’ll be wearing come autumn in Baton Rouge.
We asked local tailors and apparel retailers to share a sneak peek at their fall faves.
She said…
Women’s fashion this fall is a throwback of sorts to’80s rock, but modernized and feminized.
Jewel tones and nudes are fashionable, while metallic embellishments, such as studs, grommets and exposed zippers, are adding flair to everything from clothing to accessories. Leather is an absolute must, providing an edgy look with jackets, skirts, vests and leggings while one-shoulder tops and dresses as well as feminine blouses add a dainty feel.
A variety of denim styles are big for fall, including tie-dyed and distressed denim. The skinny and boyfriend jeans should stay strong throughout the season.
Sweater dresses and tunics are once again in vogue, with rompers being carried over from the summer.
Ankle boots may be the shoe for the season, featuring flourishes like cutouts, studs and fringe. Finally, layered necklaces, scarves and studded belts, shoulder bags and clutches are all the rage in accessories.
Jennifer Miller of Aria
“My taste is very edgy, like funky-edgy,” says Jennifer Miller of Aria. She says she digs distressed jeans and vintage belts to add dramatic effect to any outfit.
Dramatic throwback: Distressed jeans by current/elliot, $228; various vintage belts (thick, studded and grommet), $58 to $178.
Rhonda Lynch of FeBe
“Fun and flirty” is how Rhonda Lynch of FeBe describes this season’s tunics, which work well with a compartmentalized, fashionable and functional leather shoulder bag.
Tunic perfection: Jersey knit print tunic by Halé Bob, $195; brown leather shoulder bag by Kooba, $595.
Hilary Buras of Eros
Fall is all about vests for Hilary Buras of Eros. “They are very versatile. You can use them as accessories, wearing them so many different ways.”
Versatile investments: Light gray textured vest by Trina Turk, $215; mauve blouse by Trina Turk, $224.
Heidi Graves of Nanette Kadair
“Zippers are going to be everywhere,” says Heidi Graves of Nanette Kadair. This fall, leather boots paired with distressed leather jackets will add a fashionable edge to any outfit.
Booted and zipped: Black leather jacket by Vince, $750; distressed black leather boots by Chloe, $1,195.
He said…
Men’s styles may be slightly toned down this fall, but not in color. Expect a vibrant fall palette featuring reds, blues and greens, with orange taking on a more dominant role.
Jeans with great design detail are becoming simplified and darker. Graphic T-shirts are still in, yet subdued and going soft and retro with a layering appeal. Woven, button-down shirts are showing a lot of patterns from plaid to check to paisley. Look for long-sleeved shirts offering a buttonable flap to keep rolled-up sleeves in place.
On the dressier side of things, tweed is enjoying a notable resurgence, and not just in coats. Tweed suits are in, with a close-fit, tailored look popular this season. In addition, three-piece suits will turn heads this fall, both as distinctive ensembles, but also broken up and worn in separate pieces: coats and vests can dress up a pair of jeans, while pants offer a dash of versatile style when paired with different shirts.
Boots are in as well, as is anything low to the ground (shapes won’t be as big of a deal). Very casual shoes like Converse by John Varvatos will also be popular.
Straw fedoras, knit caps, scarves and vintage jewelry will be hot “his” accessories.
Mark Warner of Aristocracy
Mark Warner of Aristocracy expects styles to be “slightly understated for the fall.” He’s especially excited about dry denim jeans that—like a fine wine—are meant to be aged and worn ?to perfection.
Aged and conformed: Jeans by Nudie Jeans, $179; straw fedora by Modern Amusement, $58.
Ty Turner of Carriages Fine Clothiers
“I like the idea of brown jean-cut pants that are a notch above jeans and have a lot of give for extra comfort,” says Ty Turner of Carriages Fine Clothiers. He suggests pairing them with a camp-style shirt for perfect after-work wear.
After 5 ensemble: Cotton/lycra blend brown jean pants by Saltaire, $148; yellow shirt by Tommy Bahama, $128.
Jeffrey LeBlanc of Martinez Custom Clothier
Martinez Custom Clothier’s Jeffrey LeBlanc—whose fashion motto is, “If you’re going to wear something, you have to be comfortable in it”—looks forward to cooler temperatures to don a three-piece brown tweed suit he created.
Tweed pursuit: Lightweight soft tweed whole suit by Jeffrey for Martinez, whole suit $3,500 (vest $500, pant $950, coat $2,000).
