Fall Fashion Report for 2013

Raleigh, NC – Here’s my report from the front row at the Belk Fall Fashion Preview for 2013.

Four Themes for Fall Fashion

Arlene Goldstein, Vice President of Trend Merchandising and Fashion Direction for Belk led the presentation with four key fashion themes for fall, including “Modernist Mindset,” “Past Perfect,” “Glam Globetrotter,” and “Just Dandy.”

We also got a sneak peek at the Cynthia Rowley shoe collection that will be launching at Belk stores this month.

Here is a breakdown of the four fall fashion themes.

1. Modernist Mindset

Simplistic styling in oversized jackets, the slim pant, and shift or sheath dresses are major silhouettes in this category. In terms of shoes, the ankle boot is the number one shoe of the season. Leather and pleather (a vegan variety) are key fabrics for fall. Gold is uptrending and taking a position of promise. Zip detailing, zigzag, grid like patterns, and digitized prints will be important.

2. Past Perfect

Past Perfect is all about neutrals and glamour. Delicate lace and vintage-like fabrications, brocade borrowed from home furnishings, embellishments in the form of crystals, and pewter and gold finishes are trending in this category. For shoes, the single sole pump takes center stage.

3. Glam Globetrotter

Baroque patterns mixed with animal prints such as cheetah and zebra, European gypsy elegance, and camouflage form the fundamentals for this theme. The motorcross jacket will become an significant silhouette for this group.

4. Just Dandy

Unexpected placements, pocket treatments, and military epaulets are just some of the trends we see in this classification. Traditional English Donegal’s and tweeds, satchel bags, and everything classic, like the simple ballet flat with Chanel inspirations become central in this stylistic theme.

10 Most Wanted Women’s Trends

1.  Slim trouser
2. Button-front shirt
3. Statement jacket
4. Fashion sweatshirt
5. Patterned sweater
6. Something leather
7. New knit dress
8. Bold jewels
9. Satchel
10. Short boots

Belk didn’t just predict for the ladies. Here’s the top trends for the gentlemen.

10 Most Wanted Men’s Trends

1. Wine color
2. Plaid shirt
3.  Textured knit shirt
4.  Corduroy pant
5.  Sport coat
6.  Fine gauge sweater
7.  Best vest
8.  5-pocket pant
9.  English country tie
10.  Desert boot

You remember these if you lived through the 70’s…

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Story by Lisa Springsteel, for CaryCitizen. Photos courtesy of Belk.

Lisa Springsteel, a New York fashion industry veteran, is the author of  “Becoming a Fashion Designer,” a fashion writer for Making of a Mogul and a former contributor to amNew York.