Fall for rockin’ frocks

PHOTO COURTESY VERSACE

By ANN RUPPENSTEIN

What’s hot for fall? Personal stylist, certified image consultant and fashion blogger Lisa McLatchie has revealed her top picks for what frocks to rock this season.

Polka dots, florals, plaids, camouflage, geometric designs and animal prints are some of the top patterns for fall, says the blogger who is known as the Practical Fashionista — and who services Vaughan, Toronto and Durham Region.

Since not everyone is comfortable wearing a leopard print coat or a python print skirt, she recommends trying out this style on a smaller scale through accessories like a pair of animal print shoes. However, for a more fashion forward outfit, she adds that it’s very trendy to mix-up designs by pairing something like a striped top with a floral bottom.

“To do it right though, just make sure the prints and patterns are in a similar colour palette and keep your accessories understated,” she suggests.

Bright colour pants are also big this season, which is a look that’s carrying over from spring. To pull off saturated fuchsia or emerald pants in an everyday outfit, the key is to keep the silhouette simple and pair the bright bottoms with classic neutrals, such as hot pink with grey or purple with navy, says McLatchie, who has trained under Stacy London from What Not to Wear.

Seventies style is also continuing into fall and, since it ranges from bohemian to glam, McLatchie believes it’s bound to have something for everyone. For a day look it’s trendy to wear items like floppy hats, capes, ponchos, wide leg pants and silk bow blouses, and for an evening look she suggests platform heels with long flowing gowns that have low necklines or high slits.

Although she says wide leg or flared pants are flattering on most body types — whether worn as trousers for work or as jeans for the weekend — she recommends adding a heel to the mix, especially if you’re petite.

In addition to longer hemlines and vintage inspired style, which includes lace and brocade, McLatchie says it’s essential to have a great fall coat.

“Since it’s the one piece you will wear every day, you want to make sure it is current and reflects your personal style,” she adds.

Layering is also key for the season. Not only is it great for fluctuating temperatures, but it’s very stylish when it’s done the right way. McLatchie suggests pairing a sleeveless top with a cardigan or cropped jacket and a long sleeve blouse with a vest.

“A lightweight scarf is always an easy way to add some extra style to your look too,” she says. “Plus, if you get too warm with it on, you can easily take it off and put it in your purse or tie it around the handle — a hot trend right now.”

McLatchie, who enjoys mixing high-end items with low-end pieces, says she loves shopping at Vaughan Mills because of the outlet stores like Winners, Style Sense and Holt Renfrew Last Call.

“They all have current fashions at discounted prices — a practical fashionista’s dream come true,” she says.

Her final piece of advice is to have fun with all the fall trends and style options.

“People have started to take fashion so seriously,” she says. “It is meant to be fun, so go try something that you would never have considered before or that maybe even scares you.

“You may be surprised to uncover a sassy side of you that you never knew existed.”