Illustrations By Thea Milinair
T he days get shorter and the mornings are crisp—fall is almost here, and it’s time to buy a sweater. This year, fall fashion features the reincarnation of 1970s flounce and flow. The overall aesthetic sticks with summer ’17 trends, which have also been all about the decade of disco. Autumn shapes are big and comfortable; from wide-legged pants to big sleeves—lazy chic is in. Fall is also back-to-school time, and a good opportunity to find new inspirations. Brewing a new project, dedicating your time to hitting the books or digging back into your job are made easier when you’re feeling fresh, and the following fall trends may help people take you more seriously—or at least make them think, “Damn, who’s that fine dresser?”
Support locals while filling your closet.
I am a huge advocate of shopping locally, particularly when the opportunity to do so presents itself in a new location with products made and curated by New Mexicans. So, it’s my two cents that you should look for these and other spiffy fall wardrobe additions at
Spur Line Supply Co.
(800 20th St. NW, Albuquerque). The 8,600-square-foot space opens Friday, Sept. 1, with a bash at 5 pm, including an exclusive cocktail from Level 5 (the bar at the chic new Hotel Chaco), food from The Grove Café and Market and live DJ sets.
The structure in the Sawmill District houses small retail spots for locals. Among vendors, you'll find Aaron Boyd's Tres Cuervos Leatherworks. Boyd designs and produces men's wallets and bracelets, as well as field journals, bandanas and more in Santa Fe. Dry Land Wilds also occupies a spot in Spur Line Supply Co. A skincare and cosmetics brand, this group makes everything from lip balm to face spray using plants and flowers foraged from high-desert terrain in Northern New Mexico. In this retail collective, you'll also find the newest location for Wanderer (Bed Head, "You're Welcome at Wanderer," June 7). Ashley Arabian's Taos shop is one of my favorite boutiques for anything from a date night dress to an everyday jacket, and a real good bet when it comes to finding on-trend fall fashions. Besides having great taste, these people are local and lovely, so hunting for a wardrobe update at this dance party is a no-brainer.
Trade your ratty beanie for a beret.
We all know heat escapes through the top of the head. So, wearing a hat in the next few months as temperatures dip is sensible and fashionable. Beanies are an easy go-to, but berets are just as effortless and ooze sophistication in the place of careless college kiddo. This accessory also provides an opportunity to throw a little color into your fall wardrobe. Red is particularly hot right now—terrible pun not intended. Matching your ruby beret with your lipstick takes less than 2 minutes, and adds serious polish to any ensemble.
Get a pair of kitten-heel booties.
Slipping into a pair of boots is a sure sign of cooler weather, and the current trend is white kitten-heel ankle boots. Yeah, that's a bit of a risk when it comes to footwear in the desert. They do, however, look amazing paired with a band tee and some leggings (an outfit that feels like pajamas) so, I vote yes. If white is just not doing it for you, there are a litany of other colors to choose from, and kitten heels are just as cute on a pair of sling-backs; another classic nod to the era of the original Charlie's Angels. That professional aura you're aiming for is partially dependent on your appearance, and nothing says you mean business like a pair of ladylike heels.
Actually, flowy pants are the best pants.
Cooler weather and less daylight mean more Netflix binging, reading and general indoor-ness. So, pants that are as comfortable as sweatpants but much more fashionable are just about all a gal could ask for. Luckily, baggy, wide-legged pants are everywhere this season. So run to grab coffee in the same stretchy pair you spent all last night in, and get compliments instead of weird looks. At least something is going right in 2017.
