After seasons of skimpy tops, low-rise pants and mini-skirts, isn’t it a relief–maybe a joy–to welcome the pretty new ladylike fashions this fall?
“There’s something for everyone of every size,” says Kelly Golden, owner of Neapolitan, a Winnetka boutique, where some fall fashions and accessories have already sold out. “People want to be covered up. It’s a more conservative look this season.”
Shoppers of all ages, teens to Baby Boomers, are responding. Ponchos, Chanel-inspired tweed jackets, romantic blouses, brooches and fur accessories began selling well as soon as they hit the stores, some local retailers say.
“I’m just shocked about the amount of fall merchandise we’ve sold so far,” Golden said in late August. “There are so many pretty things. Our older customers are thrilled that the higher-waisted pant is coming back.”
JoAnn Young, trend correspondent for Marshall Field’s, says she doubts the new, buttoned-up trend is a backlash to the Britney Spears look. “Beautiful and elegant looks sexier [right now] than showing some skin.”
“The elegant country club look is fresh looking,” Young added. “It looks sexy to wear polos, capelets and a brooch.”
“Parents are going to be excited,” she says, noting that back-to-school shopping may have been easier on both parents and teens this season. “It’s bye-bye Britney, hello Jessica [Simpson],” Young says, pointing out Simpson’s more classic, feminine look.
The ladylike trend has boosted women’s apparel sales, says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for the NPD Group.
“Women are buying again,” he says. “A lot of women are embracing [the trend] for two reasons: one, because they say it makes you feel more feminine, they like dressing up again; and, two, they’re not interested in dressing like a 20-year-old.”
Designers and retailers have acknowledged that in past years, they’ve been overly fixated on the teen market, where less was more, Cohen says.
The trend toward elegance also translates well for women in the workplace where wearing a tweed suit, pretty pumps and vintage-inspired jewelry never looked so chic. Tweed suits are updated this season with fur trims, unfinished edges or hems, lace and even some sequins. And those suit pieces have a life outside the office.
A fitted tweed jacket can look great with jeans and a sexy camisole, Young says, adding that the tweed skirt with an embellished cashmere sweater may be perfect for cocktails after work.
One word of caution from Young: Don’t overdo it. With all the colored and detailed handbags, embellished shoes, glittering jewelry and fur accessories, “It might be too much. You’re going to have to practice; look at the fashion magazines for the balance.”
Golden, whose store sold out of fur capelets, fur collars and long gloves, says women should consider their environment.
“Wear one strand of pearls for work,” she says, “and add more [strands] for evening.”
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E-mail ctc-woman@tribune.com
