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What would fashion be like this fall after such a confusing, crazy year? Would it reflect our pent-up demand to be seen and heard; or, perhaps reflect the subdued nature of being in our home sanctuaries?
A review of fall fashion sites noted at the end of this blog indicates a cautious approach to this season. Nothing seems to clamor, “I’m impressive, intriguing, or thrilling.”
Common color combinations, fabric, and designs typical in a fall wardrobe are absent. For example, I did not see the usual amount of plaids, corduroy, scarves, or “preppy items.”
Important clothing components for ladies-of-a-certain-age — color, comfort, and camouflage — are displayed. Fall colors are typical, except for pink and fuchsia. The cut of the clothes and the construction of the shoes are pleasing. However, none of the designs jumped out to cause alarm about showing parts of the anatomy older women don’t wish to highlight.
Eye makeup and eyebrows do not dominate like last year when masks covered most of the face.
As usual, this season, older women are rarely shown by the fashion industry, even though they represent one of the wealthiest segments of society. The models are young women and girls because they reflect the adoration of youth in this country and because these age groups buy more than Boomer Babes, as I call us. Since ladies-of-a-certain age are generally ignored by the fashion industry, I write a fashion blog at the start of each fall and spring season. Below, I summarize fashion trends, recap the color, comfort, and camouflage factors, and reveal what is in my closet.
Disclaimer: Since its inception in 2013, this blog has not been financially or otherwise supported by any company or entity.
These fall 2021 trends caught my eye:
Clothes —
Blue-jean jackets! They are often paired with a white shirt or colored or white t-shirts
Denim – shirts, jeans, and dresses
Boyfriend jeans rolled up, jean leggings, and wide jeans
Quilted fabric – clothes, purses, and shoes
Sweater vests
Cutouts
Vivid pink
Colorful leather
Moto jackets
Sparkly and shiny
Fringe
Jewelry —
Pearls, chains, chokers, mismatched earrings or a single earring, textured metals
Purses —
Oversized bags, totes, clutches, fluffy, quilted, and chains
Shoes —
Slouchy or platform boots, oxfords, flats, canvas, mules
Hairstyles –
Bob, curtain bangs, layers, pixie, wolf cut
Makeup — Kitten eyes (eyeliner extended in the outer corner of the eye), black eyeliner on top and bottom lid, long eyelashes, vivid lipstick, dewy (shiny) skin.
Nails —
Polish colors: rose, red, wine, olive, sparkly green, lilac, deep purple, navy, white, black, beige, gray
Color We all have specific colors that complement our skin, hair, and eyes. These colors naturally make us look and feel better. If you don’t know your color season, here is a fun, no-cost quiz. 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 2021 fall colors I have summarized for you. Click on the links to a description and name for the actual colors.
Bright yellow, yellow-orange, fuchsia, pink, red, rusty red, wine, bright green, green, four blue shades — from light to medium, black-purple, light orange-brown, orange clay, brown, yellow-brown, dark green, olive green, cream, off white, light tan, and light gray.
Comfort
What you choose for clothing depends on your comfort level with a fashion personality. We naturally gravitate to individual styles. If you don’t know yours, take this fun quiz.
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 effect also. I think her words are good advise even now.
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 maps tattooed on my legs.
I choose nothing that accentuates my waist.
V-neck tops are out for me because of my wrinkly skin.
I’ve shrunk over the years – so I now watch for proportion.
What’s in my closet
I always “shop my closet” first. It reflects my traditional fashion personality and the colors of the winter season. This season the fashion industry would go broke if they relied on me to fund them! I am having fun figuring out how to wear various clothes, shoes, and jewelry to look most up-to-date this season. Here are this season’s leading fashion elements in my wardrobe:
Clothes –
My beloved 20-year-old Ralph Lauren jean jacket, which I bought at a super sale, is terrific. I thought I would have to replace it, but it is in good shape. I was amazed at the price range for jean jackets. It pays to do your research.
At that same super sale 20 years ago, I bought a blue denim ruffled Ralph Lauren shirt, which I will often wear now.
Leather-like Moto (bomber) jacket – I have had forever. I bought it at K-mart. It is washable, to boot!
Two white shirts and a plethora of t-shirts in Pantone’s fall colors, as modeled by one of the jack- o’ -lanterns shown in the photo.
“A blue-jean baby,” I’m sure glad denim leggings are still hip. I wear them everywhere. If the weather ever gets cool again, I’ll consider buying a sweater vest.
Jewelry –
Oh, my Christopher Poly chocker, purchased at the Denver Art Museum, is a treasure. Also, I love my colorful enamel Target chocker, bought a good ten years ago.
Pearls are a stable in my wardrobe.
Purses –
At “press time,” it is a toss-up between the black Monsac or pale gray Steve Madden tote.
Shoes –
The fashion industry did get some of my hard-earned cash in the name of comfort! A pair of Skechers fabric ballet slippers and loafers arrived this week. Yes, I have leather counterparts, but the fabric shoes coddle my tootsies! Since I think mules are sexy, I will try on a pair to see how stable I feel.
Hairstyle –
I love the bob I grew last year and my no-fuss curtain bangs.
Makeup –
Oh my, several years ago, I got blocked eyelid ducts from eyeliner. So I don’t do that anymore.
I avoid harmful makeup ingredients and carefully screen whatever I buy. For lipstick and blush, I use Bert’s Bees Lip Shimmer. This time of year, I switch shades, from watermelon to the darker shade of plum. Thank goodness I am blessed with good eyebrow genes that require no enhancement.
Nails –
Sally Hansen’s Color Therapy nail polish with argan oil is my choice. To paint my fingernails, I bought a bottle of sheer Rosy Quartz for this season. My toesies are intriguing with a coat of Essie’s For the Twill of It, an indescribable color – gray, green, purple, brown combination.
That’s it, folks!
List of Sources:
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g35616664/fall-2021-bag-trends/
https://www.popsugar.com/fashion/fall-2021-fashion-trends-48172283
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g35651266/fall-2021-jewelry-trends/
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/theyre-9-trends-define-street-225746558.html
https://www.popsugar.com/beauty/fall-haircut-trends-47669421.
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/hair/g35744327/fall-2021-hair-trends/
https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/g35635073/fall-2021-shoe-trends/
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g35550887/fall-2021-fashion-trends/
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/makeup/g35742880/fall-2021-makeup-trends/
Copyright – Elizabeth J. Wheeler, August 24, 2021
