Fall Fashion Forecast

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 29, 2005

It's officially here. Fall has arrived, and with it, new looks for fashions and faces.

Some trends are sticking around for another season.

"Lime green just isn't ready to go away. It's still very popular this fall, as is pumpkin," Katrina Scofield, manager of the Pine Apple in Greenville, says.

Those warm tones can still be sighted "going solo" in clothing and accessories, but the vivid shades are also being linked with the chocolate brown that is de rigueur this fall.

"You're going to see a lot of lime and brown, pumpkin and brown and pink and brown this year in fashion," Scofield says.

Jewel tones are also big this fall, with ruby red, emerald green, turquoise and amethyst, all standouts for the new season. The vivid shades look great when matched with those delicious chocolate browns (or the perennial basic black).

And fashion is coming up roses this fall - and berries, plums and wines. From a plum-colored tweed jacket at Moore's Department Store to a soft mauve bolero sweater at the Pineapple, feminine shades of pink, purple and lavender will be seen in everything from Chanel-style suits to casual sweaters this fall.

Buttons and 'broomsticks'

This fall, it's also all about embellishments. And a backward glance at feminine fashions of decades gone by.

"We are getting these coats in - don't they take you back in time to the 50s and 60s? They have these wonderful jeweled buttons on them. They were all carefully wrapped in tissue when we unpacked them. And look at the rhinestone buttons on this sweater," Scofield says.

It's not just sparkling stones. Shiny spangles are also catching one's eye this fall.

"Sequins, we are seeing them everywhere, on handbags, tunics, peasant skirts. It's definitely a big trend," Scofield says, as she points out a sequin-trimmed turquoise tunic in crinkled cotton with a matching black peasant skirt. Paisley and Pucci-style prints are also seen in many tunic styles for fall.

Yes, the Bohemian look, with its romantic retro style (think 70s icon Stevie Nicks, possibly minus the platform boots) is still going strong into the autumn.

"You are seeing lots of broomstick skirts in both black and bold colors. Match them with the sequined and beaded tunics and you get a very up-to-date look that is also very affordable. It's a fall look but it's also lightweight enough to be comfortable in our warm weather," Scofield says.

It's also a look full-figured ladies can enjoy. A selection of peasant skirts and tunics in women's plus sizes, as well as junior and missy sizes, can be found at the local Goody's.

Fashionistas are still wild about animal prints, with leopard, tiger and zebra patterns sighted at Moore's, Goody's, and the Factory Connection in sweaters, blouses, skirts, jackets and purses. Be advised: it's wise to limit your animal prints to one wardrobe item and one accessory worn at a time (or you might end up looking like you belong in a zoo!).

It's in the bag - and shoe

At Goody's, you can also find yourself a beaded and sequined bohemian-style bag to go along with your peasant look. In fact, you can find almost any type of handbag out there for the fall.

Goody's carries faux and genuine leather bags in neutral, metallic and bright fashion colors, featuring hardware details such as chains, zippers, and rings. These bags mimic the styles celebrities currently carry, without carrying their hefty price tag. Hobo bags, whether in suede, metallic or embellished, are a cool look for fall.

"Bags, bags, bags…that is still the hot fashion accessory," Scofield says with a smile as she waves her hand toward bags in every color, style and size displayed in the Pine Apple. Their selection includes the popular sequined bags in shades of pink, chocolate, pumpkin, gold, silver and black.

"And monogrammed bags are still big for the fall," Scofield adds.

Autumn shoes feature buckles, bows and buttons – and yes, even sequins - that add flirty feminine details to fall footwear.

"We had summer sandals with ribbons that were very popularŠnow we have loafers from the same company featuring bows. Aren't they cute," Scofield comments.

Goody's offers sequined loafers in hot fall shades such as bronze, turquoise and green. And check out the new round-toed pumps perfect with slacks and skirts this fall.

Baubles, bangles and beads

Bold cuff bracelets, long pendants and necklaces with big, chunky beads in rich colors are among the popular jewelry styles for the fall. Look for "statement" necklaces, oversized cocktail rings and drop earrings to update your look. Jewelry is showy, so sparkle plenty this season, girls!

A fashionable face

The fashionable face will often be "plum pretty" this fall. The same rose and berry shades popular in clothing will also be found in many of this season's color cosmetics for lips, cheeks and eyes.

"We have some gorgeous glosses in those shades, along with our Luxiva lip colors that are lipstick and lip gloss all in one formula.

Glossy lips will continue to be big this year," Glenda Chancellor of Merle Norman Studio in downtown Greenville says.

In eye shadows, shades of violet and teal will be at the forefront, along with neutral tones and metallic hues perfect for mixing and matching, Chancellor says.

"Brown is going to be a big fashion color this fall, and we have a beautiful set of browns in our eye shadow collection. They go right along with that trend," Chancellor says.

Liquid eyeliner in black or brown gives further definition to the autumn eye.

She suggests finishing the look with really lush lashes by using a product such as Merle Norman's Luxiva Supreme Lash mascara.

The beauty consultant says a matte face with a subtle glow can be achieved this fall by dusting on loose powder with shimmer highlights built right in.

"Warm the complexion further with a creamy cheek color in a rose or berry shade," she adds.

Berries and neutrals are also perfect for nails this fall.

"Stop in and see our wonderful new colors and try them out for yourselves," Chancellor says.

Revlon Cosmetics, which can be found at CVS and Wal-Mart, offers a "Perfectly Plum" palette for lips, eyes and nails with shades such as "Unlimited Mulberry" and "Perennial Plum," while L'Oreal has "Fall Wrapped Up" with shades of plum and taupe. Its "Pink Prowler" collection offers such vivid shades of green and magenta shadows and pencils paired with soft neutral.