2015 Guide to Fall Fashion in Cary

Cary, NC — In Cary, we’re fortunate to have many locally-owned boutiques where women can receive personalized attention and find distinct fashion pieces. Each spring and fall, CaryCitizen makes a tour of these local shops to see what’s in store for the coming months.

2015 Guide to Fall Fashion in Cary

This fall, the trends build on what we saw for last spring and last fall – plenty of animal prints and neutrals with vests being the essential completer piece. Here’s what we saw this month in Cary.

Neutrals Mixing

I spoke with Becky Chapman of Annie’s Attic, a consignment shop in Downtown Cary, and she told me that neutrals are always good for her customer. Her window sported an eye-catching mix of abstract animal prints in sleeveless silk blouses that could span the season from warm weather in early September through cooler days in November when layered with a cardigan.

Over at the Peachy Keen, Karly Hankin showed me how her store starts with neutrals early and upfront and then transitions to some color towards the back of the store. Newest was the mixing of black and navy together. There was still plenty of grey and abstract animal prints in her mix, too.

Army Green

A new neutral that we saw several places was an olive, or “army green.” It looked great in jeans or in subtle animal prints at Peachy Keen.

Layers Layers Layers

In the south, where the fall mornings are cool but the days can be in the upper 80’s, layering is the key to comfort. Cardigan sweaters in lighter weights are essential pieces for Cary women. As the weather turns cooler, these can be updated with jewel-toned scarves to give a pop of color.

The Essential Vest

Everywhere I visited, I saw vests as the “must have” layering piece for the season. They fell into three categories – faux fur variations, quilted or “puffer” and plaid or other print or patterned styles.

At Ashworth’s Prim & Proper, owner Stephanie Ashworth is crazy about a navy Lilly Pulitzer vest she has shown layered over a printed knit dress. This piece is not bulky, so it still retains a feminine shape.

While “Lilly” doesn’t go heavy and dark for fall, the brand does go deeper in their signature pinks and adds heavier weight knits and wovens to the mix. Stephanie emphasized that her customer likes to feel like they’re going away on vacation even if they are staying in town and that shades of pink are part of their signature look.

Fur vests started appearing a few seasons ago and have caught on this year in less bulky versions, too. They can be worn over a cute top and jeans for a casual weekend look or paired with a dress to go out on a date.

Mad About Plaid

Everyone is going to want at least one plaid button-down shirt. I saw several with an updated accent of lace across the back yoke. Others were long tunics that could start as dresses early in the season, and adding a pair of leggings and a jeans jacket become a great layered tunic.

Everyone Needs a Great Pair of Jeans

Karly Hankin from Peachy Keen has plenty of jean fits for every shape, and she recommends that women find that pair that fits and stick with it.

Whether you prefer a skinny or a boot cut, find the one that works best for you and then make sure you update that every year. Jeans can get a little ratty and worn, and, if you want to look polished, your dark jeans should be dark. Her newest addition? The #Hello jean that has a battery pack for your cell phone. Popular colors in jeans? Dark wash, army green and plum.

Hannah Ellis, owner of Violets in Waverly Place, stocks Raleigh Denim. She said she has learned form from being in business a year now. Her customer likes their mid-rise skinny jeans not too skinny. They also don’t go for funky colors. They go for black, a dark wash or a light wash.

Ellis does have a new pair of pin-whale cords in cream that reminded me of wearing my Levis cords back in the day. Her customer is laid back and casual, needing great tops to layer with a cardigan over jeans of leggings. The photo below is a great example.

 Jewel Tones Brighten Your Day

Swagger in Lochmere Pavilion had plenty of purple and aztec prints in early this fall but in lighter weight dresses that gave the look of fall without the heaviness. You can wear these now to transition into fall, then layer with a vest, leggings and boots as the season gets cooler.

The Boots

If you don’t have a tall pair of riding boots or a short calf -high ankle booty, what are you waiting for? You need both this season! Peachy Keen had some great looks to choose from.

Stay Tuned for More Fashion

I hope you enjoyed this fashion guide – look for an update for holiday season fashion in mid-November. As a former women’s fashion designer with over 15 years experience in the New York City garment center, I love spotting trends and working with area local boutiques.

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Story and photos by Lindsey Chester. Read more about fashion in Cary.

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The fall fashion guide has been sponsored by Ashworth’s Prim & Proper and Annie’s Attic.