Ten fall fashion tips to know

By Annabeth Carlson

Last Wednesday was the first day of fall, which qualifies as a national holiday in my book. There is nothing more exciting than kicking off the season of cozy sweaters and flannels, bonfires, apple-picking, Pumpkin Spice Lattes and well — pumpkin-flavored anything.

Unfortunately, the high was 85 degrees on the first day of fall, so I found myself a bit sweaty while sipping my hot pumpkin drink and wearing a sweater. But as the temperature drops, these are the 10 fall-fashion trends that I can’t live without:

1. Suede

By far my favorite trend, suede is the ultimate upgrade for your fall wardrobe. The fabric was spotted on dresses, jackets, boots and more on the runways of Burberry, Chloé, Chanel. I love that whether real or fake, suede adds a sumptuous feel to any outfit. I plan on styling my tan suede skirt with a cream sweater, brown leather jacket and gold accessories.

2. Felt hats

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Spotted on the runways of Maison Michel and Ralph Lauren, you would be mad as a hatter to not sport one of these cozy caps this season! Summery styles like floppy hats and fedoras get a seasonal upgrade with warmer materials like felt and wool. My pick: a camel-colored oversized fedora with a leather band. The neutral colors and structured shape compliment nearly every fall look.

3. Blanket scarves

Fashion over function is no more with this trend. Blanket scarves combine popular prints like plaid with warm wool to create the idyllic cold weather accessory. Not to mention they are incredibly versatile and can be used as a scarf, poncho or even a blanket at your next fall bonfire.

4. Emerald green

Take a cue from nature and make a statement with this deep jewel tone, reminiscent of pine trees that remain colorful after the leaves fall. I prefer the shade in small doses, with a green handbag that pops against other cold-weather colors like navy and black.

5. Slip-on sneakers

Whether paired with a comfy t-shirt dress or edgy leather leggings, slip-on sneakers are the update to last fall’s lace-up tennis shoes. Don’t be afraid to bring attention to your feet by picking out a pair in an unexpected color like light grey or with an eye-catching texture like snakeskin. Did I mention fashion bloggers Chiara Ferragni of The Blonde Salad and Pernille Teisbaek of Look de Pernille approve?

6. Checks

Plaid is always a fall staple, but I love this year’s bold checks as shown on the runways of Marc by Marc Jacobs and Missoni. Many designers paired matching plaid tops and skirts together for an eye-catching and modern take on a classic. To mimic this two-piece look, you can throw on a plaid dress for an effortless, yet trendy vibe.

7. Marsala red

It comes as no shock that this rich, burgundy hue was named the 2015 Pantone Color of the Year. Reminiscent of a glass of deep red wine, the shade brings sophistication and drama to any look. But what I love most about the color is its versatility. To class, I’ll wear a marsala-colored lip, toned down with a baseball cap, flannel and ripped jeans. For a night out, I plan on pairing the lipstick with my favorite red suede dress.

8. Flared jeans

The ’70s are back and better than ever. While I loved the bold, retro prints on BCBG Max Azria’s runway, the coolest part of this fashion comeback is the return of flare and bell-bottom jeans, as shown by Frame Denim and J Brand. I plan on styling my flare jeans with cropped sweaters and tees and leather peep-toe booties.

9. Untraditional boots

While I will always stay true to my classic leather riding boots, I have to admit that they had less of a presence on the fall runways. Instead, style blog “Who What Wear” said to focus on booties and over-the-knee boots with details like suede and fringe this season. Since I am only 5’3,’’ I am wary of the over-the-knee trend, but will be sure to incorporate booties into my fall shoe rotation.

10. Tassel accessories

According to Vogue, tassel earrings have made a huge comeback this season after being spotted in the fall collections of Lanvin and Oscar de la Renta. The elegant but striking shape brings drama to any outfit, but my take on the trend is a chunky tassel necklace with simple stud earrings.

Annabeth is a junior in Media.
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@annabethcarlson