Ask A Boston Stylist: Putting Together Your Best Fall Look
Christina K. Pierce
Agency and Showroom
115 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 369-1924
www.christina-pierce.com
With a degree from Boston University and years in retail as a merchandiser, Christina Pierce has turned her passion of fashion into a Boston empire. The always on-trend Pierce not only works as a fashion stylist, showing clients how to make the most the wardrobe they already have, but also puts her knowledge of the fashion industry to work for boutiques and designers in Boston and beyond. Here are her tips for pulling together the best fall look.
Go green!
If you've been following the fashion trends at all this year, it will come as no surprise that green is the color of the year. As we head into fall, those minty greens of the spring will deepen into emerald.
"Green is classic and very versatile. Similar to the gemstone, you can play around with various shades of the famous hue to complement your own unique skin tone," says Pierce. "Keeping with the rich color, pair emerald green with everything from basics like black or beige to other bold hues such as sapphire, amethyst and raspberry."
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Love the layers
You know how fall is in Boston. Cold, crisp mornings followed by sunny afternoons, and then the chill comes back as soon as the sun goes down. Luckily, layers of clothing are on trend for fall.
"There is no better way to add dimension to your 'day' look than by layering chic pieces over your outfit. In addition to an added layer of warmth for the cool fall and chilly winter weather, a soft knit piece over a dress or pants and a tee is a great way to mix in texture and color," advises Pierce. "Montreal-based knitwear line, Sefani, is one of my favorite go-tos for layering pieces. The items are for everyone from my jet-set ladies to about-town hip mothers who want something cute to go over their lululemons. Each piece is virtually wrinkle free, packable and stashable, and spares no attention to detail."
Winter Whites
Rethink what neutral means this fall. White is a great choice to pair with just about any fall look.
"Gone are the days of no white after Labor Day. White is a crisp, fresh color that can be worn all season long," says Pierce. "Winter white tends to look a little less bright and vibrant and is a great neutral color to match with anything in your wardrobe. Pair with booties for an unmistakable fall/winter look to send the message that breaking the rules are 'in.'"
Peplums
Luckily, not all of the fall trends involve a shopping trip. A lot of the great pieces you picked up this past spring will still be wearable as we head into the cooler weather. One of the spring pieces you've probably fallen in love with is peplums. If so, you'll find a lot to love this fall as the classic silhouette is still on trend.
"Peplum is a great silhouette for almost any shape when done the right way," agrees Pierce. "Adding a little something extra to the traditional dress or top shape, peplum can conceal love handles and is great for those days when you need to look polished but attend a lunch meeting or dinner party. Stay away from peplum with too much volume in fabrics that don't 'flow' as to not add bulk to the shape."
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Texturize
Fall fashion has always been about texture. Think of the depth of your favorite fall pieces and the wonderful fabrics that they come in. This fall texture reaches an entirely new playful level.
"Similar to the layering note, looking for pieces that have dimension in terms of color-blocking colors and textures is a big trend for fall," says Pierce. "From vertical color blocks to alternating prints and solids, this is a great way to spice up your wardrobe, whether looking for day styles or cocktail attire."
Renee Mallett is the author of several books about art, culture, and New England. She was the owner and director of an art gallery and has written about arts and entertainment on a national level for several print and online journals. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
