2020 Fall Fashion Report

01 Tuesday Sep 2020

Written by Elizabeth in Uncategorized

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Recently I said to my friends, “Ladies, I don’t know about writing the fall fashion report. I think there is so much going on – the virus, hot weather, natural disasters (huge fires here in Colorado), and the political climate – I haven’t heard much interest in fashion.” They nodded in agreement and shook their heads. They were wearing masks.

It seems to me the fashion industry reflects too the despair, gloom, and anguish of these times.

After doing my regular fashion review, I can tell you nothing stands out as interesting or exciting. Generally, some fashion elements excite me but not this year. Further, hot weather is predicted across much of the country for the next several months. Usually, I would see new trends in sweaters, coats, and pants — not this year. It seemed so strange not to even see any corduroy or colorful scarves.

Then, I got to thinking about a book I read for some of the research I am doing for my next mystery I am writing, “Murder and a Victory Garden,” which is tentatively published this October. Words such as impactful, insightful, and emotional come to mind when I think about Julie Summers’ “Fashion on a Ration.” Besides learning about all the resource cutting measures the English took during World War II, I also learned that the British government wanted women to dress well to help boost the people’s morale!

Wow! I got to thinking about how sloppily I had been dressing now there was really no place to go with all most all of my activities halted because of the virus. That day I was about to put on a pair of light gray jeans and a white t-shirt. Both were wrinkled. I took an iron to both of them before I put them on. I can’t tell you how much better I felt. (Yes, I am in that first baby boomer group. Our mothers taught us to iron, and many of still do!)

My dog, Bonnie Buttercup, and I headed out the door for our daily walk. I talked with neighbors, (yes, at a distance) along the way. Because I felt better about myself, I was more pleasant to talk with, and it seemed to me Bonnie and I brightened their day. Of course, my Airedale Terrier always looks good, even though this summer, she (and me) got shaggy looking because our respective grooming salons were closed.

This unusual time underscored to me the importance of color, comfort, and camouflage as a lady-of-a- certain-age. I’ve outlined these below, as well as giving you a peek into my closet. At the end of this blog, are some of the sites I visited to research 2020 fall fashions. I hope they are a convenient reference for you.

Just a reminder as to why I write a fall and spring fashion report it is because, unfortunately, women our age are still largely ignored by the fashion industry. The only retailers who I have seen do this is J. Jill and Lands End. What a shame. What does this say about our society?

Color

We all have specific colors that complement our skin, hair, and eyes. These colors just naturally make us look and feel better. If you don’t know your color season, here is a fun, no-cost quiz. The colors this season seem to reflect the general malaise of our times. No one color stands out. The Pantone Institute each season determines the top colors, not only for clothes, but also for all sorts of products, including paint and appliances. Below is a list of the 2020 fall colors I have summarized for you below the link to see the actual ones. Nail colors are standard fall colors this year. If you are into astrology, click here for a list of nail colors for each sign.

Colors:

Dark navy Off white Gray-blue Light peachy camel Olive Yellow-green Bright yellow Ultramarine True blue Blue Classic blue Magenta purple Dusty pinkPeach Orange Red-orange Brick Brown Dark tan Dark Sand

Comfort

What you choose for comfortable clothing depends on your fashion personality, and we naturally gravitate to individual styles. If you don’t know yours, take this fun quiz.

Pearls and chains everywhere – on jeans, purses, glasses, shoes, etc. (You name it)

Feathers, animal prints of various species, and fake crocodile and snake skins

These fall 2020 trends caught my eye:

Shoes – sneakers, (Yes! Just your plain old white ones) sandals (It’s hot in the fall now) and mules

Sunglasses – white, various colors, and cat-eye!

Jewelry – chains, pearls, and chandelier earrings (Don’t know how they will work with a mask!)

Jackets – denim, leather –bomber style, ponchos, and capes

Purses – huge, traditional, cube with a top handle, fluffy

Pants – ankle length and jeans of various cuts (Be aware! Some say skinny jeans are on their way out!!)

Tops – hip length at the max and not as loosely tailored as they have been in recent years

Hairstyles – frankly, I hate looking at these sites because they are so demeaning to aging. I did find this site full of helpful information about what happens to hair as we age and style suggestions

Camouflage

In a 1960s home economics class I took at Denver’s Thomas Jefferson High School, I remember our teacher saying, “Remember, girls, always emphasize the positive and minimize the negative.” Maybe you remember words to that affect also. I think her words are good advise even now, over 55 years later.

These are some of the things I take into consideration with my own body:

No more short shorts! I don’t even wear shorts anymore because my veins look like I have maps tattooed on my legs.

Nothing that accentuates my waist.

V-neck tops are out for me

I’ve shrunk over the years – so I now watch for proportion.

What’s in my closet

I have a traditional fashion personality and am a winter season. I always “shop my closet” first.

Blue jeans (Yes, I am a blue jeans baby) I have one skinny stretch pair, several standard cuts, and two pairs of fringed bottoms

Black ankle pants – I wear these for dress-up (not sure where I will be going with the virus restrictions)

Jean jacket – I bought a new one to replace my 20-year-old one

Leather-like bomber jacket – I have had forever

Long and short sleeve t-shirts – recently I bought several (great sales!) to replace the ones I had. Of course, they are all purple or magenta, except for one ultramarine.

Chain necklace – yeah! I found a silver one in my drawer. I don’t know how old it is.

Pearl necklaces – I have several traditional pearl ones as well as one with black pearl-like beads

New watch band – a silver mesh for my Apple watch. The Nike Sport band it came with was too much for my traditional style

Pearl earrings – I find these work great with a mask

Chandelier earrings – my fellow writer and bead artist extraordinaire, Virginia Jensen made these

Purse – I am still trying to decide on the huge gray Ralph Lauren Tote (A great Goodwill buy) or my beloved black Coach saddle bag

Shoes – White sneakers aren’t for me! For one thing, they get dirty immediately and remember I iron. I did buy a pair of white leather Sperry sneakers – on sale of course – black sandals

Nail polish – A new bottle is such a cheap mood enhancer. I bought the color “Nude”

List of Sources: