Feathered Hair

I’m not talking about that nasty thing that was in Carrie (Sex and the City)’s first wedding attempt with Big. Nor am I talking about Farrah’s hair style for them 80’s.

Fashionistas are flying to try the latest trend—pretty feathered hair accessories. Since the end of the summer I’ve been finding plummed headbands, hair combs and hair clips.

And now with fall they’re in deeper colors that are the feather trend to die for. My latest find is a feather hair clip for $20 from Urban Outfitters - gorgeous peacock, tan pheasant, and pinks all mottled (oh and a few rhinestones for spark). And for highend feather headbands also check out Plumashop.com

I also like this Urban Outfitter Vintage-inspired wool felt cloche trimmed with a tonal ribbon and topped with a cluster of coordinating feathers.

Uber-Stylist Rachel Zoe Dishes “it”

Who’s behind Mischa, Keira, Lindsay* and Ms. Richie? This latest generation of (albeit anorexic) starlets don’t hesitate to disperse what their secret weapon is: star-stylist Rachel Zoe, Rachel Zoe, Rachel Zoe.

Love her or hate her she does have a knack for picking "it" and creating "it" lists’s not her fault her followers start looking alike because they can’t add their own personal zest to "the look."

It’s not uncommon for Zoe to dress her girls out of her own overstuffed closet, full of free clothes given to her by designers in hopes that she or one of her clients will be photographed in them. Since most of us can’t afford our own stylist we’re left to be satisfied by tips.

Revolve Clothing has released Part II of Rachel’s Fall Style Guide which allows us to get a glimpse of some of her favorite outfits. This is a much better alternative than her fee of up to $6,000 per day! *Let’s not wrongful give blame to Zoe for some of the 6am walk of shame outfit combos.

Knit-picking “it”

Knits seem softer, thicker, better than they used to be. It’s like they finally wised up and put the baby soft in with the durability (to not pill into cotton balls hanging off your elbows)…and how they drape. Bless fall for being the best season for soft jersey knits.

Here are some great knit "it’ picks: RACHEL PALLY – Scoop Bubble Dress. This one gets double points for being the first bubble dress I’ve seen that does not make you look like a circus act. This dress is so hip (easy to layer, pair with leggings, add a splash of red or black, long sleeves) and could easily become a classic. Get it here.

VELVET - Velvet Aveza Dress Velvet (the brand not the material) offers sensuous pieces that flatter without sacrificing feminine or fit. I’ve got some of velvet’s long tanks for layering up. They’re gorgeous, soft and great quality. This dress is a fabulous wardrobe staple. Get it here.

Also worth checking out is another Rachel Pally – in bungee.

Red Hot “it”

Red is ruling the runways as the perfect complement to this season’s subdued black and grey. The perfect way to brighten up your fall look is with this must have:  flame red pea coat from FCUK French Connection.

It’s got the trendy slight bell sleeve, and its swing-line shape will work with skinny or layers – it’s stylish, cute and will definitely get you noticed. You won’t want to take it off! Tip: Accessories and jackets are the easiest ways to update your current wardrobe.

Fall ‘06 Beauty “it” List

This Fall is a season of tough-chic beauty: one part Veronica Lake, one part Robert Palmer video vixen. The item every girl needs? Ruby red lipstick.[Style.com].

Pink is out! Red and burgundy for lips (go sheer red if you’re faint of heart) and pair with a rosy tone blush for cheeks.

Eyes: brows should be natural looking, but shaped (not overly tweezed) and lashes should just be one good coat of mascara (brown or black).

Foundation: this fall use it sparingly or go bare. A tinted moisturizer is a safe bet.

The final touch is a dark polish: browns or burgundy. This will subtly pop on fall’s tweeds and plaids.

Image [source]

This Season’s “it” Designer

Luxe Grunge – says it all. If one designer sums up this season it’s Marc Jacobs.

You may not wear an original MJ, but it’ll be hard to avoid the knock offs of this chicer updated grunge/boho collection; an unkempt approach to wardrobe (a la Olsen twins).

First motivated by Seattle’s groundbreaking rock scene in the 1990s – Jacobs’ update contains all the mainstays of yesterday’s grunge (flannel, plaid, layers and leg warmers) alongside today’s sophisticated pieces, including capes, shawls and jackets.

Image (source).

Fall ‘06 Fashion “it” List: My Picks

1. Capes /Capelets (or a cropped military jacket with bell sleeves)

2. Stacked Heel Shoes

3. Fab Kneelength Flat Boots

4. Animal Prints

5. Multibuckle Belts

6. Layers of knits

7. Red Splashes

8. Cropped trouser (& a pair of slouchy trousers) – with a crisp white shirt

9. Pencil skirt – with a crisp white shirt

10. Jet Jewels & Luxe Gold ala Tiffany’s Frank Gehry (Guggenhiem Architect!)

Dresses: It’s the season of the dress. A sweater dress is the best choice (and you can warm up with leggings underneath. Legging rules – cover your bum!).

Gold: Gold hardware, around your neck (layers of chains), shoe details, and fabric. It’s a rare woman who can mix silver and gold -so be safe and retire the silver for a little while.

Boots: Knee-high or little booties – just keep in mind the heel is flat or chunky (no stiletto). Cuffs & buckles galore.

Skinny Pants: With so much layering volume on top, you want your bottoms slim. The only skinny I’ve ‘really’ liked is the velvet skinny.

Menswear-inspired Trousers: If skinny and leggings don’t do it for you -your answer is plaids and pinstripes in wide-leg or long Bermuda short-style.

Sweaters: Since skinny is the look below – the counterbalance is big up top. Oversized flowing knits.

Red accents: Red is the No. 1 accent color for the season, says Gregg Andrews, a fashion director at Nordstrom. Buy a red coat, or a red handbag. Wear red lips.

Black accents: Coordinate jet onyx beads and crystals with just the right sparkle to subtly stand out on black.

What are you are coveting for Fall? Or what  are you already living in for Fall? Post your answer on your blog and send me a link to it in the comments of this post by September 25. Your links and summaries will be posted here on The it Lists for the October update.

Fall Fashion ‘06 “it” List – They Say

InStyle:
• Platform Pumps
• Tall Boots
• Denim (highback, cropped, zippers)
• Sparkles
• Layers
• Womanly Suits
• Celtic Influence
• Dressy dressy
• Knits

Neiman Marcus:
• Black/Gold Handbags
• Red Accents
• Belts
• Tunics
• White Shirts
• Skinny Pants
• Gold Jewelry – and lots of it
• Black Leggings
• Booties and Boots

Lou Lou:
• Pencil skirts (H&M)
• Retro Sneakers
• Windbreakers (Marc Jacobs, K-Way)
• Red Hot Kisses
• Dark and Lean Jeans
• Stripes

Glamour:
• Superluxe – satin, rich, sparkles, buckles, quilting
• Equestrian boots
• Fur Accessories & Trim
• Leopard Prints
• Long Cardigans (Bebe/ Stella McCartney)
• Lots of Layers
• Gold
Feature: the Glammies – their 2006 Beauty Awards

Marie Claire (my fav):
• Red
• Metallics
• Leopard Prints
• Plaid
• Coats – Long, Bubble or cape
• Layers
• Minis
• Shoes – Platforms, Booties, Patent
• Purses – Clutches, Patent, Big & Structured
Feature: back-peddling about their July cover girl, Ashlee Simpson – read here.

Lucky: Plaid Pix: Flare
• Leopard Prints
• Bohemian
• Pleats
• Volume Jackets (Bell sleeves, A-line)
• Chunky Sweaters
• Loafer Pumps, Flat Boots, Cuffed Boots, Knee High Boots
• Dressy Flats, MaryJane Pumps, Platform Pumps
• Layers of Beads & Chain necklaces
• Black & White

New York Metro:
• Leggings
• Roomy Knits
• Cocoon (Bubble) silhouettes
• Floppy Hats
• Plaid
• Ankle Boots
• Animal Prints
• Bold Jewel Colours
• Velvet
• Sheer Black

Style.com (Vogue & W):
• Cinch Waists
• Cropped Jackets
• Minimize or Supersize purses
• Nude Colours
• Wedge or Chunky Heels (bye bye stilettos)

iVillage:
• It’s a Plaid, Plaid World
• All Things ’80s
• Horsing Around
• Pump Up the Volume
• Lady in Red

Elle – Canada:
• Minimalism
• Black, gothic, ’80s, layering
• Suits, knits, cocoon, grey flannel, men’s club
• Coats, purple, fur, pants, mini
• Plaid, jersey, red, sportif

Harpers Bazaar:
• Gilted Black
• Horsing Around
• Fall for Red

The Thick of “it”

Fall Fashion is always signaled by the thicker glossies: September Magazine Bibles. Gawker has a fun way of weighing in on fall fashion by literally weighing Glamour, Lucky, W and Vanity Fair.
 

This my teaser way of telling you to check back 1st week of September to see the it list summary of all the September fashion rags rolling out.

A little late because of the timing of launching this blog – but this way I can share with you how you can actually get your hands on some of the hottest Fall Fashion Trends. Save up to 92% on Magazine Subscriptions!

Empowe(RED) It

Cool Hunting has given us a sneak peek into Gap’s new initiative to redeem themselves while still making a profit – a.k.a. boost economic development in Africa while also boosting their corporate image by going (RED).

Gap PRODUCT (RED) combines global economic development, disease research funding and cute clothes all into one. Armani and Converse are on board to co-brand and 50% of sales will go to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Gap’s PRODUCT (RED) for Holiday 2006 includes tees, hoodies in cotton and in cashmere, jackets, jeans, bags, belts, caps, scarves, a bracelet, candle and Individuals, a book of celebrity portraits taken over the years by Gap (100% of sales from the book will be donated to the Global Fund). Check out the Peace Parka for guys!

October 2006: Full line in flagship/key stores in the U.S. and U.K. (limited items in other stores), and will also be available online.