THE FALL 2018 SWEATER TREND: COZY AND COOL!

I have plenty of friends who anticipate the first day of "sweater weather", but no matter how much I love a cozy knit, I can't help feeling a sense of sadness at the idea that it's a precursor of long freezing months to come, so, thanks to this exceptional warm November I'm actually still sticking to silk blouses and shirts... However, since retail-therapy can be an occasional cure, I figure that shopping the best fall sweaters might actually minimise my cold-weather blues crisis. 
Picking out a  statement-making sweater means that you can throw on very basic outfits such as:
- straight-cut jeans + a simple pair of boots/leopard print flat pumps
- leather pants + trainers, 
- a midi pleated skirt+ ankle boots 
and your outfit will look very fashion-forward. 
Now with a new league of designers and It-girls ushering in the comeback of the classic sweater, it's clear why the trend is once again going through a sartorial rebranding. So, cool brands are reimagining the iconic staple with an updated colour palette including refreshingly and playfully bright or neon-hues, along with a plethora of modernised design motifs and both oversized or shrunken fits. And with a seemingly array of sweater styles to choose, it's time to change your traditional jumper for the latest models. 

Anyway, there are two simple and rather obvious guidelines to help you on your search of the perfect knitwear options:

- Good material: superfine merino, merino-silk, or cashmere-silk blends, mohair and angora    
   (aha, they're finallly back again!),

- A length that is suitable to your style: extra-long or super-shrunken

And to finish, here find below a choice of sweater models I consider worthy of a spot in my closet now:
1) Ivory ribbed/cable-knit oversized, high-neck, cashmere sweater
2) Black, oversized sweater/cardigan

3) Relaxed-fit camel-beige slouchy sweater

4) Cashmere sweater dress

5) Angora wool white/pearl grey sweater

6) Knitwear with fur details

7) Nordic-style sweater

8) Lightweight cashmere crewneck jumper

9) Cut-out-sleeve sweater

By now, you should be ready to fully embrace the appeal of knitwear, and perhaps you're in the market for something new and cozy for Fall... In case, have a nice shopping!

EVERY BOOT TREND DOMINATING FALL 2018.

Is it even Fall if you haven't bought your first new pair of boots? Of course not. They're an important investment, as footwear goes. Your boots can take you from early Autumn through Winter, then into Spring with just a few style swaps (that is a breezy floral dress for a chunky knit + midi skirt and back again). This year, prepare to choose from more than a few try-worthy trends. These are the must-have fall boots the street-style crowd has already been sporting.

1) Cowgirl boots: the western-inspired footwear trend has seen a boost thanks to the likes of influencers who have been rocking them in a way that's much more “Rodeo drive style” than “Traditional rodeo”.

2) Slouchy 80's inspired boots: there's no denying the 80's have made a major return for Fall 2018. While we're leaving our leg-warmers, shoulder pads and big hair in the past for now, we're joining fashion girls everywhere by embracing the slouchy-boots trend.

3) Animal print boots: it's footwear gone wild! Leopard, snake and zebra are just some of the animal prints on offer to enliven the dark season in style. So, follow your instincts and get on board with a version in any heel and shaft height that will get your look instantly on trend.

4) White/Red boots: two of the most unexpected trends of the last year have surprisingly staying power. White/red boots are sticking around for Fall, so allowing us to wear light outfits to match them and making transitional dressing that much easier.

5) Combat boots: whether it's 90's nostalgia or a style metaphor for the many battles women are currently fighting, combat boots are alive again and well for Fall. Certainly, they are a favourite among the youngest, who like to wear them grunge-style and, we must admit it, have more occasions to wear them, but they are worn also by more grown-up fashion girls, who soften this eccentric trend by matching it with feminine fabrics and prints.

6) Hiker boots: they're a bit less punk than combat boots, but just as in demand this Fall. No matter if you're not headed to rough terrain, this outdoor-inspired option looks as good with more indooor-friendly outfits like pleated skirts and dresses.

7) Knee-high leather boots: this shaft height was sidelined by over-the-knee boots in recent seasons, but no longer. Knee-high boots are ready for their comeback season this Fall, ah ah!, and they come in many iterations that encompass other trends.

8) High shine boots: metallic finishes are proving very successful in making outfits. These bold boots are the lazy girl's ultimate style ruse: just pair them with a tee and jeans and watch your look become a personal style signature.

9) Kitten-heel ankle boots: our love affair for kitten heels shows no sign of abating, and we're here for it. They're flattering on both short and tall women, and allow us to benefit from not being in pain after a day on the cobbles.

Personally, I'm a great fan of boots, since they're so comfy and warm in Winter: My favourite trends are the "slouchy boot" and the "knee-high leather" ones, since in spite of being a fashion girl, I'm still prone to choose more classic styles. Now it's up to you, dear readers: what's your favourite trend?

SEVEN NEW BAG TRENDS EVERY FASHION GIRL WILL BE CARRYING NEXT FALL.

The seasons officially change, this weekend, and every fashion girl is focused on Fall trends. When transitioning your wardrobes from Summer to Fall, clothing is often the starting-point, with a new dress here, a warm sweater there. Then, accessories, from footwear (pumps and boots) to jewelry, and of course handbags. New trends aside, the main point of owning seasonal pieces is to distinguish your look as the weather changes. Summer is all about easier vibes, while Fall inspires us a more polished frame of mind. Actually, the latest trends allow for an easy transition into the cold-weather months, and we can't deny our wish to update our look with pieces that are quintessentially Fall. 
In the handbag department, Fall runways have shown us rich textures, deeper colours and fresh shapes, whether you're shopping for an updated everyday bag or a new silhouette to freshen up your evening assortment. 

1) If you are strictly interested in a luxury-brand purchase, logomania has been an ongoing trend for several seasons and for Fall it's all about new versions. From Fendi to Gucci, to Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga and Dior, the mood includes modernised emblems and cool details.

2) If you're the pragmatic type that shops for a neutral-color bag at the top of the season (ahaha! my favourite ones), brown is the resounding shade: while variations of chocolate, tan and taupe shades made their appearances on the runways, warm cognac brown is the hue "du jour" in both timeless and modern shapes, especially at Chloé and Hermès.

3) Croc-effect bags ruled the runways of Hermès, Céline and Chloé. With a luxurious effect, sleek shapes are what truly take this trend into elevated territory whether it's with a modern cross-body silhouette or polished shoulder bag / tote. It's the perfect trend to try if you're looking for a smart and elegant bag that works for both daytime and evening affairs.

4) The mini-bag trend is hardly new, especially at Chanel, but for Fall, it's all about vintage influences, from small structured top-handle styles to compact cross-body bags, opulence is the key, whether it's via seasonal croc or shimmering metallic fabrics. A worthwhile look for both day and night, it's the modern update your after-hours bag collection needs, if your assortment consists mostly of clutches.

5) The saddle bag / crossbody is entirely reclaimed for Fall, including the return of the Dior silhouette. From Chloé to Loewe, the newest versions come with a sophisticated  spirit, featuring clean lines, high-shine hardware and croc-effect fabric.

6) The backpack will help you to relive school days that have come to an end, but in a more sophisticated way with elevated versions of our dependable childhood favourite; and it'll take you from work to play and far beyond this season.

7) The shopping bag is back. After a timid appearance at Fendi S/S 2018 catwalk, this evergreen has been reinterpreted and even used as a clutch at Chanel catwalk.

Now, dear readers, it's up to you to choose the bag trend that is most inspiring for your late-Summer → Fall mood...