REAL Exclusive Magazine Rebecca Z. Smith - Perspectives

Fab Fall Fashions!

By Rebecca Z. Smith

The Making of a Look

What makes a look come together? In this REAL Style issue Saks Fifth Avenue shares the unique vision and expert pointers from top designers, so we can put it all together effortlessly this fall. It’s all about contrasting your textures, picking a harmonious hue, betting on black (& white), mixing big prints with small, neutralizing layers and combing casual with luxe.

Let’s start with Black. Christine Dior says it is the most slimming of all colors and the most flattering. You can wear it any time, at any age and for almost any occasion. Designer Consuela Castiglioni “Marni” likes to combine casual with luxe, playing with proportions and graphic elements. Luxurious materials and even fur accents add preciousness. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen “The Row” are loosening up layers this fall. Loosening up layers will create a delicate and comfortable touch to traditional winter fabrics.

Michael Kors suggests we compliment a slim fitting pant with a jacket that hits at the hip to elongate the legs, as demonstrated in photo. The pant is a great exclamation point. Kors is also harmonizing with color, stating “The majority of a women’s wardrobe should be her meat and potatoes, your go-to neutrals and solids. The remaining wardrobe is icing and fluff, in other words pattern, color and fantasy.” Kors will “Yin and Yang” textures this fall. He loves the unexpected, the soft femininity of the mohair versus the toughness of black leather. Nothing is sexier than black leather.

Michael Kors

Stella McCartney plays with pattern this fall and harmonizes with hues. She suggests a lot of prints and jacquard – also some great bold color, mixture of rich reds with Bordeaux and orange tones. Of course, Veronica Etro is all about print and color. She loves to mix big prints with small prints especially of the same design. Her print hint – if you have a printed top pick one bright color that is present in the print and choose it for the pants or skirt, or vice versa. Etro dares us this fall to pair graphic with paisley, suggesting to mix a colorful print with black and white or solid colors, or to use a decorative floral print with something more geometric.

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Donna Karan

Burberry London wants us to take our outerwear inside this fall. A trench coat can be worn anywhere as the center piece of any outfit. Dress it up over a suit, wear it open with a shirt under or closed for a more tailored look. Donna Karan would like us to accent with a leather jacket. It is cool, sexy and can be worn day-to-night. Karan is also betting on black (and white) this Fall. Black covers a multitude of sins. Black isn’t just a color to Karan, but a piece of art and sculpture to create and mold.

Akris is recommending you “pick a color and play with it” this fall. When you opt for monochromatic, you can accept the invitation to combine very different textures, united by one color. Italian designer, Brunello Cucinelli suggests neutralizing layers, as a neutral color palate allows you to pick and choose. Each piece can then be worn combined or separately.

REAL Style challenges you to “make a look” this fall. Tempted to make your own personal look or a wardrobe full of them? Come see Becca Smith at Saks Fifth Avenue for expert pointers, so you can put it all together effortlessly. Because even the most seasoned fashion lover could use some help in her “Making of a Look.”

^[2]Rebecca Z. Smith, a fashion stylist/image consultant, is founder of We’ve Got Style and a fashion consultant in the designer salon at Saks Fifth Avenue. She offers wardrobe planning, closet consultations and is available at Saks for styling/personal shopping services. Rebecca knows fashion: the looks, the trends, the runway buzz, and how to put an outfit as well as a sustainable wardrobe together. More importantly she takes pride in knowing each client personally. This combination of professional expertise and highly personalized service ensures every client has the wardrobe that expresses their best self. For your entire wardrobe needs contact Rebecca at Saks Fifth Avenue (941) 364-5310 or 223-6643, rebecca_smith@s5a.com ^[3] or www.wevegotstyle.com ^[4].

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