Fashion Worthy

By Holly Bell

Popular Outerwear Trends

Cozy Up to Cooler Temperatures

As we say good-bye to warmer temperatures,

we can enjoy getting cozy with the new fall and winter outerwear trends. Faux fur will be the bomb this year! Nothing makes a coat feel immediately luxurious like faux fur trim. Faux fur will be available in a huge variety of colors and textures. One of the cuddliest is known as the “teddy effect.”

This faux fur is dense and soft to the touch—much like your well-loved vintage teddy bear. It’s popular and widely available as a trim for collars and cuffs or as an all-over “teddy” look in a more casual short jacket. You will start seeing this fun new look everywhere this winter! Have fun with some new color choices, too. Instead of the usual black and brown for your faux fur, choose pink, ivory, or copper. Leather, whether genuine or faux, is always a warm mainstay for winter and never goes out of style.

You’ll get extra style points this year with a trench coat. It is classic and understated and a great tasteful option that you will wear for years to come. The leather moto jacket is another must-have look. Style it with a long or short dress, high-waisted jeans, or tailored pants. It’s so versatile and always hip!

For those of us in colder areas, a puffer coat has been the top choice for several seasons. At first, I was not crazy about them, but they look more fashion-forward with each passing season. You don’t want to look like a marshmallow, so choose one that has an hourglass shape to it rather than just a big square. Belted puffers are also flattering. I have relented and purchased one with a fur-trimmed hood to be protected from the elements when I venture out in the cold.

For dressier occasions, consider a sophisticated long wool coat. There is nothing classier than a blazer-style long coat. It adds a tailored, upscale look to whatever is underneath. A camel-colored, long wool coat will never go out of style.

Neutral tones for fall are prominent this year, both in coats and in what to wear underneath. One of the freshest color combinations is wearing all neutrals with a pale blue twist. Try a taupe sweater and style it with pale blue accessories. So chic! Neutral tones are so wearable and look good with all skin tones. Try wearing a monochromatic outfit with animal print boots and a pale blue handbag—a stunning and unusual pairing that is up-to-the-minute trendy.

Many of us will be sporting cute jackets this fall. It is fun to layer up jackets to be both cozy and stylish. Take, for instance, the “boyfriend blazer.” This oversized item is longer and boxier than a classic blazer. Wear it with jeans to add a polished look or with tailored pants for a suit-like look. Another jacket look that is trending is the belted look. A belt over a longer jacket easily adds style points! Some fabrics just need a little style reinvention to make them look fresh. Tried-and-true jacket fabrics you will see looking fresh again this year are corduroy, fleece, and shearling. You may have one of these in your closet already! Who knew they would be back in 2020?

With all these chic coats, jackets, sweaters, and pants, you need the perfect accessory. This year brings us the newest, most-worn accessory for all ages: the fabric face mask! Rather than stifling ourselves with a boring, utilitarian essential, why not make it fashionable? Designers have come up with cute ones to match every outfit! A related accessory that 2020 has brought us is the mask chain. Why not? It’s perfect for those onand-off mask shopping trips. The coolest ones I’ve seen look like an animal print and chain, rolled into one! Don’t worry, not every accessory this fall is pandemic-related. There will be plenty of other accessory looks to choose from. We’ll see hats of all kinds, from retro berets to wide-brimmed wool hats. This fall also sees the return of ladylike purses and—finally!— statement jewelry. Chanel-inspired chunky gold chains are everywhere. They dress up absolutely everything! You will find earrings, bracelets, and necklaces in various chain looks. Time to clean up your closet and put together some fabulous, layered outfits. Start with a thin, fitted piece and layer over it, making sure the previous layer shows somewhere. Get outdoors while you can! In your cozy attire, you’ll be able to enjoy the cooler temps and the beauty of the changing landscape.