fall fashion forecast

Today, I am speaking at the "Bloom Where You are Planted" seminar here in Paris, a 2-day seminar to help newcomers get adjusted to life in France. This is a great way to learn more about living in Paris, the mysteries of French grocery stores, and, bien sur, Parisian fashion. Using French Elle magazine as a resource, I've compiled a list of the top trends for fall-- see below [and note that in parentheses are shops that carry the item]. Bonne shopping!


Fall 2008 Forecast: Top Accessories*

• Maxi Scarves: wear them super long, wrapped around your neck a few times, or go for a trendy plaid [Etam, Diab’less, Les Petites]

• Gum-soled Shoes: rubber/gum soles on boots, booties, even heels are making a comeback [Mellow Yellow, San Marina, Avril Gau]

• Low Boots: great with the new pleated pants of the season [“carrot pants”], and with cropped pants, pencil skirts with tights [Sandro, Gap, Comptoir des Cotonniers]

• Oversized/Multipurpose Handbags: look for styles in leather, with multiple handles—long ones for wearing on your shoulder, short for hand-carrying [Sandro, 3 Suisses, Texier]

• Violet colored accessories: look for simple handbags [Lamarthe, Monoprix]; mix with dark greens or warm chocolate, not with black; focus on accessories, not a total look [shoes by Geox, Monoprix, Camper]

• Leather Gloves: small, but elegant or longer for a retro-glam look [C&A, 1,2,3, Maison Fabre]

• Silk Scarves: borrow one from grandmere- it goes great with a trench or a simple sweater & jeans for a casual chic look [Kenzo, Sinequanone, Les Petits]

• Tango Shoes: wear them with knee-length skirts or dresses, not pants [Jonak, San Marina, Repetto]

• High Heeled Derbys: a new silhouette, they look like men’s shoes with heels; wear them with any type of pant or skirt [Minelli, San Marina, Guess]

• Sporty Handbags: big handbags with sporty details, lots of pockets, can be worn everywhere [Naf Naf, Benetton, Kipling]

• Chain Necklaces: a multitude of different chains, worn layered, for a rich, excessive look; best worn with a simple outfit [Maje, Perles de Noa, Sinequanone]

• Metal Medallion Belts: worn on top of a twin-set, on a cardigan, on a cocktail dress, or a tweed pant to give it an update [Guess, le Mont Saint Michel, Sinequanone]

• Rain Boots: to be worn with trendy/girly outfits for the ultimate contrast [C&A, Marni, Bata, Andre]

• Crocodile Accessories: take a simple outfit, add a croc accessory, et voila! The key is to have only one croc piece- belt, purse, shoes, at a time [Minelli, Andre, Etam]

• Winter sandals: worn with wool tights in contrasting colors [Unisa, Nine West, Le Mont St Michel]

• The Minaudiere: classic mini purse, compact and rigid, for evenings out [Benetton, Sinequanone, San Marina]

• Wool Bonnets: match it with a coordinating scarf, but not with wool gloves! [3 Suisses, H&M, BA&SH]

• Printed Tights: this look only works with a perfect set of gams, so tread carefully!

*As adapted from French Elle, 15 September 2008: L’Accessoire fait le style!