Attention, local shoppers.
You will not run into Tabitha Tolliver during your fall shopping spree.
The air may be crisp and cold, the leaves falling from the trees, but the South Holland resident has no desire to join you in sifting through shoes, skirts, pants, jeans and handbags that are hot this season. When it’s time for Tolliver to update her look, she unleashes two secret weapons: needle and thread.
“I’ve never been into clothes,” Tolliver, 22, said, revealing that her closet contains mainly older jeans, T-shirts and a pair of Chuck Taylors so old and beat up that they attract astonished oh-no-she-didn’ts from fashion-forward friends. Tolliver’s hubby subscribes to her fall philosophy and then some, even balking at buying a new shirt for the couple’s wedding anniversary.
“If things get torn or worn out, I just sew them,” Tolliver said. “Or my mom will pick up things for me.”
Some locals, like Tolliver, are just not into following fashion trends, especially the aspects some stylists who talked to RedEye called “fads.” But for those who don’t want to walk around in years-old styles, experts say there are ways to freshen your look without wearing out your wallet.
RedEye caught up with “Project Runway” alum-turned-design star Christian Siriano and celeb stylist Laura Solin-Valdina — the mind behind Naomi Judd’s duds — at a recent stop on the Westfield Style Tour at Old Orchard mall.
We took their advice, plus that of Gold Coast stylist Arielle Marq, and boiled it down into a handy dandy chart of do’s and don’t’s for the fall. .
Roll call
We’re known as the City that Works, so we should have no problem rolling up our sleeves as part of a fall fashion trend. “A lot of manufacturers are creating contrast lining which just adds to the look,” said New York-based Solin-Valdina, as she demonstrated the look by turning up the sleeves of a charcoal jacket with a satiny silver lining. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it was big in the ’80s, according to Marq. Also back from the ’80s, according to Marq and Solin-Valdina: big shoulder pads.
Leggings
Calumet City’s Stormie Surles enjoys shopping and considers herself fashion forward, but she is boycotting leggings despite the current craze. “I don’t think they’re attractive,” Surles, 23, said. “And I despise when people try to wear them as pants.” Leggings can be lovable if worn the right way, according to Marq, who said they can be helpful when it comes to another touchy trend: short skirts.
Short skirts
They’re in. Those who used to gasp at Ally McBeal minis will have to get over their aversion. But you can wear the skirts with leggings and the also popular over-the-knee boots to reduce the revealing aspect of this look. “You have to make at least one of these sexy splurges,” said Marq. “You’ll be surprised at what this does for your self image. You can get your swagger on.”
Boot up
Over-the-knee boots with low to no heel are hot this fall, our stylists across the board agreed. They can be paired with the aforementioned mini-skirt and can serve as camouflage for nervous skinny-jean wearers as well.
Dress for success
Buy at least two dresses this fall and you’ll earn invaluable fashion points, Siriano said. You can also take that opportunity to add in another popular trend — bold colors — by making sure at least one is a print or in a vivid color. The other color, black, is always en vogue, Siriano said, calling a double-dress buy a “quick way to ramp up” and look great.
Get the skinny
Skinny dress pants are in for the fellas as well as the ladies this season. Just ask Russell Brand’s skin-tight pants during the MTV Video Music Awards. (Hey, don’t hate: He still caught Katy Perry’s eye in those slim slacks). And if you don’t dare go super slim, at least avoid oversized pants, according to Siriano. “You do not need to wear those big Tommy Hilfigers from the ’80s that are like tents,” Siriano said. “You will look so dated with that cut of jean.” Instead, go for a straight pant and avoid anything pleated, Siriano advised. “You want flat fronts,” he said, demonstrating by running his hands down the front of his black pants. “It makes you look very sleek.” And if you don’t want to go shopping, see your tailor, Solin-Valdina said. “Even I head to my tailor on a regular basis to update my clothes even though this is my line of business,” Solin-Valdina confided. “I’m all about adding pieces and recycling garments so that I can save money.”
Neck check
Don’t want anyone to know you haven’t updated your closet since Brett Favre retired the first time? Don’t out yourself with a big or wide collar. “Collars are smaller like they were in the ’80s,” Solin-Valdina said. “Skinny ties are also in.” Crew-neck is the key for Siriano, who said that a V-neck sends a message beyond dated fashion. “If I see a man in a V-neck I say, ‘He’s gay,’ ” Siriano said, drawing laughter from a nearby Westfield Style Tour rep. “Obviously, I love V-necks, but if you are straight, don’t wear that.”
– – –
It’s in the jeans
The cut, color and style of your jeans can be a tell-tale sign of fashion forwardness (or not), according to Gold Coast-based fashion wiz Arielle Marq. This fall, the biggest trend is darker washes, straight leg and as skinny as you can take it. Marq examined men’s and women’s jeans generously loaned by staffers. Learn from our mistakes.
White-out
“This is a bit of a boot cut, but it looks good and is a great alternative for those who don’t want to do a tighter leg,” Marq said of the slightly flared bottom. She also liked the fit that clings close to the thigh at the top of the jean. But Marq said this white should not be worn past August.
Verdict: Stash
Blaze it up
This expensive-looking, highly detailed male jean is a winner, according to Marq, who said that it can be paired with a blazer and nice shoes for a respectable look. But if worn too low, it can lose its appeal, she warned. “If it’s too baggy, it can add weight to the wearer.”
Verdict: Wearable
Details, Details
Marq dug this denim example because it wasn’t too tight but still fit the thin trend. She liked the details going across the front of the jean and said the wash was a nice darker blue that works well this season.
Verdict: Wearable
Bleachers
The darkness of the denim was OK, Marq said, but that’s about where the compliments end. “This wash is really dated and these bands on it can make you look larger and emphasize your thigh,” Marq said of the stark white wash on the front of the jeans.
Verdict: Trash
Paint job
This pair of jeans is only good for painting, according to Marq, who said she wasn’t sure from looking at it whether the color splotches were real or prefabricated. (Note: They were real.) In any case, the jean’s legs are too bell-bottomish to work with today’s tight trend.
Verdict: Trash
Dark blue
Ding ding ding! This pair of jeans is the winner of this casual competition, according to Marq, who said that it features one of the best denim colors for men and lent itself most easily to dressing up for a night on the town.
Verdict: Wearable
