animal prints

LOOKBOOK.nu

Like velvet and feather, animal prints have the potential to be either in vogue or a catastrophe. To avoid looking like a Vegas show girl gone terribly wrong, wear classic, simple pieces with conservative lines such blouses, trench coats, or mid-thigh to knee length skirts. Avoid anything too revealing as that too leads to Vegas show girl faux pas.

LOOKBOOK.nu

Another faux pas to avoid is covering yourself head-to-toe in an animal print; I have nothing clever to compare this to, it's just overpowering and bizarre. Instead, limit your ensemble to either one main animal print piece or to a few animal print accents(cheetah pumps, a skinny belt with an animal print, an animal print scarf, etc) to an ensemble composed of neutral pieces. Wear animal print pieces with denim, cotton, and other gender-neutral fabrics in neutral colors and very light and very dark blues. Shy away from ultra-feminine fabrics as they will make your outfit too busy.

high-waisted flared jeans/bell bottoms

fashionising.com

The 2010 Fall/Winter and 2011 Spring seasons are ushering in an old 1970s favorite: the high-waisted flared jean. "...the high waist and wide flare are both flattering and comfortable. I think the flared style is a refreshing change from the dominance of the skinny jeans," states Maddison Rothery, and I certainly agree. The revival of 1970s fashion in general has been a fresh change from the bold, overpowering 1980s theme.

LOOKBOOK.nu

When shopping for bell bottoms, avoid anything that goes anywhere near the hips; choose only high-waisted bell bottoms. A high-waisted cut accentuates the natural waist (the smallest part of your torso) by drawing attention to it, and the flared cut of bell bottoms draws attention away from the thighs by grazing over them and flaring out, where skinny jeans make it impossible to disguise any imperfection by being skin tight all over.

Pair bell bottoms with flowing blouses, tucked in, with intricate detailing, leather belts, sweaters with Native American inspired patterns, and of course, heels.

shearling jackets

Shearling Jacket, LOOKBOOK.nu

Balenciaga Shearling Jacket, JAK AND JIL

Leather  jackets are an essential piece for fall, however, most are not very well insulated. Enter the leather and shearling jacket. The cozy, warm combination renders one more impervious to the winter chill, but still allows one to maintain the chic, casual, cool mien of a leather jacket. Pair with ultra-feminine and delicate dresses and tops, and pieces in neutral colors as wells as deep reds and purples. Shy away from super rich fabrics like velvet. And for the love of fashion, no UGG boots* with this, or anything, please, lest you look like a fashionably confused teenage girl.

*Classic UGG boots are ONLY acceptable when worn for a functional purpose (i.e snow or for warmth to and from the gym).  Other models of UGG boots like the Annabelle boot are perfectly acceptable and fashionable fall/winter boots.