"Monday Must Haves" FOR FALL! 8.8.11

I did most of my buying for Fall this past June at the Dallas market. But I knew I would need more and I like to underbuy a bit so I can buy more right before the season. So I went to Chicago this weekend for a quick 1 day buying trip. I've been excited for fall since that first day it hit 115 degrees outside but after being at market where everything was fall, winter and holiday - I CAN NOT FREAKING WAIT!!!! I want to wear it now and this little cool nip in the air that we have today is putting me in such a good mood.

Instead of picking just one "Must Have" this week, I am going to tell you about all the "Must Haves" for fall...what I saw trending at market. There are some trends from last year that are back again in full effect plus some new things sprinkled in. I try my best to find the trends and then buy something unique within that trend.

**The pictures shown here are not what I bought and will not be in store...there will be some similar things and I just used these to give you an example. **

1.) PRINTS: leopard, zebra, snakeskin and polka dots! All of the animal prints were HUGE last year and they are back again. There are 2 new ones that are new on the scene and that is snakeskin and polka dots. And in my opinion they are on opposite ends of the spectrum style wise. Snakeskin is edgy and polka dots are girly and femanine. Either way, they are both everywhere this next season - see them in scarves, handbags, shoes, dresses and sweaters.



2.) 70's VIBE: Everything comes back around...and back again are the 70's. They were definitely in spring and summer wear and they are going to be with us all through fall as well. Blouses, wide leg and high waisted pants, capes and ponchos...I love these looks!!!

3.) COLORS of fall: The one I saw the most of this weekend was a rust orange or burnt orange (whatever you want to call it). It was EVERYWHERE - blouses, sweaters, dresses, pants and coats. A deep plum purple was also very popular in a lot of sweaters and coats. Another big one was blue - not navy like last year but more of a bright royal blue...it is gorgeous. This picture here is a perfect example of that color blue plus the blouses from the 70s...



4.) BOLD ACCENTS: feathers, lace and leather! We have all seen the feather craze hit in the accessory world (we have a whole feather jewelry line in store right now and how many times are we going to see a feather earring on So You Think You Can Dance?!?! Yes, I LOVE SYTYCD). Now, they will also be all over your clothing - around the neckline, on belts and ties, pendants and broaches for your coats and the actual feather print is huge in dresses and blouses. Lace is back again as well - touches of it with edgier fabrics or all over lace in different colors. And leather or pleather is all the rage. Leather skirts, leather vests, leather jackets..I especially love it in a camel color but you can never go wrong with black. You can do all leather or just pieces of it mixed in with other fabrics - shown below...



Like I said before, the pictures shown here are NOT what I bought and will NOT be in store. I did buy things that are similar but I just wanted to show you an example of each trend that I saw. Trust me, the things that will be in store are much better that what is pictured here!! :)

Have a great week!