Chic Outerwear For Cool Weather
As cooler temperatures blow in, many will be gearing up against the cold.
As part of the The Early Show's week-long Focus on Fashion series, style maven Christy Ferer gave shopping and dressing tips for outerwear. She demonstrated some of the fashionable items for fall at Bloomingdale's in New York City.
Ferer says fall 2003 collections are getting a lot of inspiration from the past. Walk into any vintage store and you might find a coat from the '60s, '70s or '40s that looks a lot like what's being sold in the mainstream department stores. As always in fashion, everything old is new again.
Ferer says some of the biggest trends for the season include: tweed, bold color, winter white, leather motorcycle jackets, animal prints, trench coats, parkas and fur.
Walking into a coat department can be overwhelming, so Ferer suggests having a focus before you hit the racks. Decide to shop for formal wear, everyday casual or something in between before stepping foot in a store, she suggests. You can ignore styles that don't fall into your "need" category and that will narrow your selection and keep things manageable.
Tweed coats are great for versatility in your wardrobe, according to Ferer. Also, she says everyone should own a trench coat for those in-between days and seasons. If you buy a fitted coat, you should pair it with fitted clothing. Ferer says to invest in classics, and pay less for the trends, because that metallic leather jacket may be out next year.
It's important to keep in mind that you don't have to go to a top department store to find these looks. With the right eye, you can zero in on what you want in just about any price range.
Dress Tweed Up or Down
Tweed made a strong comeback on the runways and has already picked up speed on the party circuit among celebrities, Ferer says. It used to be a low-key fabric. Now, it's getting high profile attention. What's great about it, she says, is it can be worn with a simple black skirt to lunch or with a cocktail dress for evening or jeans and a camisole.
This is a camel, black and white short tweed coat with button closure and hood.
This gray tweed coat is three-quarter-length and comes with a belt.
Choose Trench for In-between Coat
Everyone who can afford more than one coat should own a trench for in-between seasons, Ferer recommends. This year, trenches are traditional with a twist because they are in satin and corduroy as well as the classic sturdy cotton.
Purple corduroy trench coat comes with belt and tortoise buckle plus it has zipper detail.
The classic brown cotton trench comes with black leather trim on cuffs and bottom of jackets.
Wear Neutral or Contrasting Colors
Ferer says bright-colored coats (including yellow, orange, red and purple) look great paired with neutral clothes, especially the color khaki.
The long pale pink boucle coat comes with an oversized Peter Pan collar, cinched waist and large skirt.
Ferer says the purple wool brushed cotton coat feels like suede and is fitted, three-quarter-length, with zipper accents.
White Is Always In
Ferer says white is acceptable all year round, and white accessories with white coats can be seen in most magazines. White coat or parka can also achieve a clean look.
This is a white boucle three-quarter-length coat.
Ferer says the three-quarter-length coat's white wool and cashmere blends with mandarin collar and mod inspired details.
Leather and Sleek
Ferer says motorcycle jackets are leather jackets toughened up with zippers, snaps and studs. But, she advises, keep it sleek. The style is fitted. So, fitted jackets look best with fitted clothes. Ferer recommends wearing it with a neckerchief for a retro-glam look or try a turtleneck and jeans.
The fitted, black leather jacket comes with zippers and snaps.
The cream-colored leather motorcycle jacket has knit accents (cuffs and collar).
Fur In New Forms
Fur is cropping up in new forms, Ferer says, because the anti-fur campaigns have inspired designers to make closely sheared fur jackets and coats that don't look like fur. Also, according to Ferer, fur combined with knits will be popular this fall, and there will be plenty of faux fur available to make cute jackets this season.
Donnie Basso Knitted Fur Wrap, $2,000
Mint Faux Fur Jacket, $584
This is a satin lined black faux fur jacket with button closure.
This is a faux rabbit fur jacket with zipper.