Friday, September 30, 2016

What's New This Fall -- Almost Nothing

Disclaimer:  Please do not take anything I say in this post too seriously.  It is purely for fun, to draw a humorous awareness to the current fall fashion scene.

I had a fashion post planned this Friday like I always do, but when I saw the photos I scratched it...first time ever.  Now not all of my fashion shoots go as planned, but I usually still post them.  Then I'm surprised when they get a lot of hits or pins.  Sometimes I am my own worst critic and the outfits/pictures I dislike the most will often be the most popular.  But this time, no, never.  The outfit did not look stylish at all and looked like something I'd wear milking cows...I know flannel is "in", but I just looked fat and frumpy.  My husband however was very disappointed when I decided not to use the photos, because he really liked them.  Of course he would...they involved flannel, a chainsaw, and his wood pile...why wouldn't he like it?  Perhaps if I wasn't being viciously attacked by mosquitoes during our photo shoot, I would have gotten better pictures and thought otherwise.  But the mosquito attack made me frown at the camera and hasten our photo shoot.

So I was going to skip a fashion post this Friday since I had no pictures that were "Blog Worthy".  But then I started seeing all these fashion posts in Blog Land like "What You Must Have This Fall!", or "New Fall Trends!"  etc., etc., etc., and then being the fool that I am I would click on them only to discover there was nothing new at all and it was the same old stuff.  And that's when a light bulb went off in my head of what my Friday Fashion Post would be...how there is almost nothing new for fall!

Lets start with jackets.  The Must Have Jackets this fall are denim, moto, and the utility jacket.  O.k. now are any of these options new?  How many years have denim, moto, and utility jackets been trending now?  Lets go back in blog memory lane shall we.

Denim.  Always classic, never out-of-style, but it was really trending about three or four years ago when I first started fashion blogging.  In fact, I had a hard time even finding a denim jacket in stock, they sold out so fast.  I ended up settling for one that was too expensive and ill fit.  Proof?  My very first fashion blog post written July 1, 2013.  The sleeves are so short, I can only wear the jacket with the sleeves rolled up to hide it.

See Original Post HERE

Since then I've accumulated two more denim jackets: a Levi trucker jacket and a white denim jacket.

Next. Moto jackets.  I have a gazillion of these in various colors:  black, burgundy, white, silver.... but my very first one ( I think) was purchased for $15.00 at Forever 21 three years ago and I'm still wearing it!

See Original Post HERE

And lastly, the Utility Jacket.  I can't tell you how many posts I've seen this week about how everyone must get a utility jacket this fall.  Really, you don't have one yet?  I already own two, one is a shorter, more fitted jacket from Dress Barn (shown HERE purchased three years ago) and another I received from Stitch Fix (see that post HERE) two years ago.

In all fairness, I also must mention the bomber jacket.  This jacket appeared on the scene last season and really picked up steam this season.  I would love to add one to my wardrobe, but I haven't found one yet that I feel flatters me;  I refuse to give in to a trend if I don't think it looks good on me.  I love this one from Forever 21, but I would need a different color as I already own a moto jacket in this color.




So now lets move on to actual fall clothing that's trending right now:  Flannel, fall florals, turtlenecks, velvet, long cardigans, and sleeveless sweaters or sweater vests.  With the exception of velvet and fall florals,  most of these items have also been in style for quite sometime...especially flannel shirts.  I mean come on, how long now have the popular teen stores like American Eagle and The Buckle been selling flannel shirts?  I remember walking past the American Eagle store in our local mall when my daughter was in High School (which was many, many years ago) and mockingly saying "Oh look, there's the flannel shirt and jean store!", because that's all they seemed to sell.  But, I will admit, flannel just keeps getting hotter and hotter every year, and shows no signs of slowing down.  If only I could wear one without feeling like a slob! Sigh.

Here is my very first flannel shirt post, of which I posted many thereafter.  Heck, I even went out and bought another flannel shirt (that was suppose to be today's post), that's how much I'm trying to wear this trend.  This post was written March 28, 2014 and you can find it HERE.

O.k. so we all know flannels are nothing new, but what about the rest?  How about Fall Florals?  This one is new to me.  I have never done a fall floral post before, probably because I generally don't think of flowers in the fall and winter months.  But, fall florals on a dark background is definitely trending,  and I can't wait to wear my new fall floral dress I received in my last Fix HERE.

Image Credit

What about turtlenecks and velvet?  Well, they aren't necessarily new...they've both been around for ages.  I remember wearing velvet dresses as a little girl, a teenager, and in my twenties.  I even remember owning a couple velvet blazers in my thirties (darn it, I wish I hadn't gotten rid of those).  
And turtlenecks, do they ever go out of style?  No, again, they are just trending, but they are considered a classic closet staple.  Now, I'm not fond of either of these trends to be honest, although I did invest in a couple of turtleneck sweaters this season and last (they are more cowl necks rather than turtle necks).  As for velvet, I almost bought a velvet dress last year but I put it back because I thought it made me look fat .  I'm not sure I'll invest in any velvet clothing.  I've always found velvet to be a lint magnet and uncomfortable to wear.  I did buy some cute velvet chokers from Forever 21 and I might be open to velvet shoes or a velvet bag...but that's about it.

Image Credit

How about sweaters?  I remember when the big Nordstrom anniversary sale was going on awhile back and everyone was so excited and kept posting their picks.  I found the whole social media event quite humorous because I literally saw nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing new.  Everything looked like the same stuff from last year, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what the hype was all about.  And those prices?  Holy Crap!  Do you ladies actually consider spending $150 dollars for a cardigan a sale?  That's what I would spend on a dress to wear to my first born child's wedding!  A sale for a cardigan to me would be $19.99 or less!  Oh, and the same sweaters you purchased last year are still on sale this year...long cardigans especially.  So if you didn't grab any long cardigans last year, your in luck, cause they are still in style this year!

See Original Post HERE

Now lets talk sleeveless sweaters.  There I see a slight change, and for the better.  Last year they emerged on the scene in a chunky knit and cropped.  I purchased this one pictured below, but I never really liked it because the thick knit, again, made me look fat, and also the shortness of the sweater.  My husband never liked this sweater either.  

See Original Post HERE

This season sleeveless sweaters are all longer and come past the hip to elongate the figure and you can find them in various knits to suit your preferences, not just a chunky knit.  See my previous fashion post HERE for a thin knit, long sleeveless sweater.

When I was shopping for fall clothes with a friend recently, I found many items that I purchased late in the season last year still available this year.  I bought this cute suede vest after Christmas, but I did not get to wear it much due to an early spring.  I was so happy to still see suede vests for sale in all the stores.
Sweater vests are also still popular, again, another thing I'm thrilled about since I hardly got any use out of mine last year.

See Original Post HERE

What I haven't seen yet are fur vests, and I will be very disappointed if those don't make a comeback because I bought two of them last year and barely wore them.  But, it just could be too early to see fur yet.  When I was in Vail in May all the women either had leisure wear on or a fur vest with tall boots. So I'll keep my fingers crossed that I won't have to toss them in the charity pile!

Now what about shoes trends?  Again not much new.  Booties are dominating the shoe scene more than ever, especially when worn with dresses.  Even though style bloggers have been wearing booties for years, I think it took mainstream women three years to catch on to them.  But I already own more booties than I can count.  In fact these booties I bought last year are still available this year!

See Original Post HERE

Although I already own more booties than I need, I still wouldn't mind adding some more booties to my collection.  I would love a burgundy pair, another pair with cut outs, or more chunky heeled booties.

Sliders are new and huge among style bloggers.  I wouldn't mind trying a pair of these, but I haven't seen in any in my local stores yet.  It might be another season or two before they make it to up north to us hillbillies.

Finally, lets talk about color.  Colors trend season to season just like style.  Every year I look forward to finding out Pantone's Color of the Year!  This year their Fall Color Report (see the full report HERE) projected blue, grey, red, mustard and others as the trend for fall of 2016.  But what colors am I really seeing trending on the street, in stores, and on fashion blogs?  The same as always:  Olive Green and Burgundy.  Except everyone seems to call the burgundy color by a different name:  wine, Merlot, Bordeaux, fig, plum, maroon, oxblood....I'm getting so confused!  It's all the same color isn't it, just with different variations of browns and purples added to the red, can't we just agree on a name?  Whatever you decide to call it, if you want to be "in" this season, you need this color in your closet, along with olive green, because they are the "IT" colors this season, just like they were last season, and the season before that.  They are fall colors!  There are only so many fall colors right?  I mean burgundy, dark green, rust, burnt orange, reds, browns, mustard yellow:  they are all colors we expect to see in fall fashion because we see them in nature every fall.  The colors don't change, just which ones are the 'hottest' that year.  And this year it is burgundy and olive!
Handbag from H&M HERE, Olive Green Dress HERE



So what does all this mean to you, the consumer?  Well, if you've already purchased most of these trends in the past few years your wallet is going to be a lot heavier because you really don't need to go shopping for much, if anything, new this season.  And if you missed out on some trends last year, well your in luck, because you can still pick these items up this year.  As for retailers, I don't see them making much profit this year since the styles have not changed too much.  But I'm not an economist, so what do I know?  What I do know is that the fashion industry better get a little more creative in providing women of all shapes, sizes, and ages with new styles, or they will be running out of business!

So what about you?  Have you seen any new trends that I've missed on this post?  I'd love to hear from you!

Have a Great Day!  Amy


Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!



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24 comments:

  1. Sorry if you posted a comment. I did respond to them but then I accidentally deleted my post. Thankfully, there was still a 'draft' version of the post so I was able to republish it and I did not lose it, but I did lose the comments and responses.

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  2. Haha! Love this... I was just thinking the same thing. I actually went into Charming Charlie and they had olive and burgundy colors in the very front of the store. One thing knew I've seen in the bomber jacket is them in floral print. Also, I've been seeing a lot of buttons or patches on jackets or tops, which I am not sure if I'm crazy about that trend. It is interesting to hit the stores every fall and see what's hot vs. what is hot on the blogs. I hope denim jackets never go out of style again!! I love them! You should have shared one photo from your shoot that you x'ed!!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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    1. Thanks Carrie! Yes, I was in Charming Charlies too and that was the colors I saw in the front of the store as well. Pantone was way off on their fall color report I think. I don't get into those patches either, I think I will skip that trend. I agree there is a difference between what fashion bloggers wear and what's in the stores. I think a lot of it has to do with paid links. I will share one photo from that flannel shirt shoot. I'm still trying to figure out how to style that shirt without looking fat and frumpy. It's a mystery to me.

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  3. With this post, you read my mind and touched my heart! I giggled and nodded my head in total agreement. I have to say I do not get the whole Nordstrom sale thing. I didn't see one piece that I couldn't get elsewhere cheaper. And nothing new under the sun. I think you are probably fashion forward so aware of trends before they even take off (flannel shirt, moto jacket from 2014)but trends seem to hang around for 3-5 years so there really isn't much new this year. Just more, more boho, more moto, more plaid. Love this post.

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    1. Thanks Leslie, I'm happy to hear I'm not alone in my thoughts. I too was just mystified by the Nordstrom sale...everything looked so dated to me and overprice, I really just did not understand it. I was so happy when it was over. I agree that trends tend to hang around 3-5 years, but you would have thought some new things would have appeared this year...well, bomber jackets, and dark florals I suppose. I can't count velvet as a new trend as that has been a classic for ages.

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  4. Loved this post. Once we find our favorites, though, we can always return to them! Thanks for sharing, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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  5. So nothing new in the fashion world. We can always recycle. It is good for the environment too. Thank you to share your post with My Red Carpet.

    Anna xoxo
    www.glamadventure.com

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    Replies
    1. Nope, not much new. The sad thing about recycling though is I just saw a news report where they said that they actually put a lot of recyclables in the landfills after people recycle them because they can't recycle items fast enough or there is no need for them.

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  6. Loved your post! Maybe some of these styles are new to 19 yr olds but for my age (60+) - been there - done that! It's rare I find new lines that are suited to me -
    and in case designers have not noticed, my age group is the fastest growing segment of the population. Hopefully they will wake up and design things that will look good one me!
    Have a great week, Mimi
    http://inmyprimetime.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Mimi, isn't that the truth about style...everything old is new again. It makes me wonder why we get rid of anything. I so agree with you about designers, I don't know why they keep ignoring our age group. We have so much more money to spend on clothes that the younger ones do, you'd think that would want to make them design clothes for us. Or if they do create a line for us, it's not the style I am looking for.

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  7. I love reading this post because it is like you read my mind. The only thing kind of new to me are the slider loafers (love the pair you linked above, where can I buy them), the bomber jackets (somewhat) and that velvet is back in style and I am happy about that one. I'd love to own a velvet camisole, some velvet shoes and a velvet choker or two. Gotta head to F21. And girl you and I have been blogging for the same amount of years almost. I love your first 3-4 outfits from this post. Though dated a few years back, they are still very IN and relevant to fashion for Fall in 2016. =) Which goes back to the point of this post, too. Well-written. Oh and as far as I am concerned Olive Green and Burgundy will always be the IT Colors of Fall like Black, Tan and Red are the colors of Winter (in my opinion).

    P.S. When would you like to co-host with me?

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    1. Thank you! The sliders can be found HERE: http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Rebecca-Minkoff-Mika-Leather-Slide-Loafer-Taupe/prod190050053/p.prod?ecid=NMAF__30KlfRmrMDo&CS_003=5630585
      Very pricey though. I'll have to be patient and wait till they come to stores in my area...which is usually three years later! I'd love to co-host with you! My email is on my contact page.

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  8. It's so good to know the trends are mostly the same as last year! I haven't gotten a lot of use out of some of the things I bought last year, so it's good to know I still can this year! Plus, there were a few things I didn't end up getting that I'm glad I'll have a chance to buy now!
    Thanks for sharing at the Grace + Lace Linkup!

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    1. I do agree with that, some of my items I bought late in the season and only wore once before it was spring. I'm also still on the hunt for a nice bomber jacket that looks good on me.

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  9. I love second hand shopping for many reasons! Some being your reasons for what is/isn''t new. I'm in my 30's so this is the first time I've started seeing trends come back in from the 90's and it's fun and funny to see!

    http://www.mylittlenest.org

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    1. When you get to be as old as me you will see trends come back in again and again! LOL!

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  10. Love the jackets! Great way to shop your closet for sure. @lauriepop2

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  11. Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style.

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  12. Nice fall colors throughout. That's cute about the hubby loving the photos even though you didn't think them blog worthy. I have been there myself.
    Thank you for linking up to "Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me" link up
    Rachel xo
    http://garaytreasures.com

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  13. The thing I love most about fall fashion is that the trends recycle and you can shop your closet. Love seeing all of your outfit inspiration! I'm on the hunt for a bomber jacket and something velvet to add to my wardrobe.

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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