• Are leggings really back? Yes! But not in that ‘I've-got-to-find-a-top-that-covers-my-backside' kind of way. The new legging is worn under a skirt, dress or jumper, more like a hosiery item. Hue has already packaged a brown and black pair together. The sling back with low heel that Charles Nolan showed with his leggings was Girlawhirl's favorite proportion of shoe, leg and leggings.
• What about all those shorts? Girlawhirl wonders, ‘why all the questions about shorts?' Everyone wears them in the summer, so what's the big deal about pairing a knee length pair with an opaque tight, or even the aforementioned legging, a great sweater and belt and running around town in the Fall? Not only are there the shorts shown at a lot of the shows—from Cynthia Steffe, whose shorts with jackets could go to a casual office, to DKNY, where they really were short—but knickers, like those shown at Michael Kors, are one of the shorter pant options too.
• I can't wear those puffy skirts! OK, technically this one is not a question, but it's been uttered by almost everyone Girlawhirl has talked to. And maybe certain body types can't wear them, but there were plenty of examples where the volume was managed. Maybe the fabric was light so it didn't pouf too far away from the body, or there was a waist or hip yoke at the top of the skirt to show off the shape of the waist. Girlawhirl heard an interesting comment from a couple of women seated in front of her at one show. They suggested that a woman with a pear shaped figure would be perfect for a slim fitting top and voluminous skirt. But for her friends who won't even try on one of the new skirts, Girlawhirl suggests a few other options: A-lines with kick pleats, plaids in simple silhouettes, and, at Michael Kors, wonderful dropped waist, belted ones.
• Why are those pants so high on the waist? Well Girlawhirl can't explain what made so many designers choose to raise the waistline, but it does seem that there was quite a consensus. From the first show to the last, waistlines were definitely creeping up.
• What are the most important colors? At the start of the shows, there was so much grey and black, almost always paired with cream that Girlawhirl was starting to wonder if there would be any color on the runways all week. And of course there was. In addition to the black, cream and many shades of grey, there were plenty of shades of brown from dark to camel, olive, navy, and several shades of blue. Spicy tones from burgundy to shades of orange and gold were often mixed together. Purples, pinks and mauves were used as well. And red. But two colors, a bright blue and an emerald green stood out as very important accent colors. The blue looked great at DKNY when mixed into a brown plaid. And the green stood out against all the black and white patterns at Diane von Furstenberg.
• How can I dress up a weekend look? This one's easy; just get some sort of graphic T shirt. Marc Jacobs showed a great one in his Marc show. There were a lot at Oakley as well. Worn with jeans and layered under a cardigan, or even a fleece jacket, it's an inexpensive and cool update to anyone's weekend wardrobe.
• Solid or pattern? Girlawhirl says both! Maybe she's on pattern overload after seeing so many, but she's definitely going to mix it up a bit for Fall. There were great plaids at DKNY, Michael Kors, and Marc Jacobs, and oversized houndstooth at Diane von Furstenberg. Plus, lots of patterning at Tibi and wonderful jacquards at Anna Sui. Two color stripes, like supersized rugbys, were also shown in a few collections, so Girlawhirl knows she's got a lot of choices when it comes to patterns.
• What about accessories? Girlawhirl's #1 accessory for Fall? The belt. Wide, narrow, low, high and everywhere in between. Belts seemed to finish almost every outfit on the runways! Bows were also important, often used as a belt or at an empire waistline, but also at the neck, or in the model's hair. And Girlawhirl must mention the shoes, boots and bags at the Anna Sui show. She expects that the waiting list for those started even as Ms. Sui was taking her bow on the runway.
• Do I have to wear that? This is the question that everyone asks Girlawhirl! And the answer is definitely ‘NO!' No one should feel as if they have to wear something that they don't want to just because it is the fashion of the moment. Fashion should enhance the way a person feels about themselves. When a specific trend or item doesn't work for Girlawhirl's body type or lifestyle, she just skips it. There are always plenty of other ideas, styles and fun things to try.
Go Get It!
Check out Girlawhirl's collage of her favorite images from New York Fashion Week.
She'll update it after all the rest of the Fall Collections are shown in London, Paris and Milan.