August 11th, 2008
My favourite retail season has arrived and I’m excited to discuss what the next six months of fashion has to offer. We’re kicking off the new season with Style.com’s top 2008 Autumn trends:
- “Belle Curves”: It’s all about peplum details that spotlight the waist. A peplum is a flared extension of a jacket, dress or top that comes below the waistline. It’s very 40’s and 80’s. If you like waist-cinching belts, you’ll like this look. It’s the voluminous trend with a waistline. There are loads of different peplum styles so don’t give up after trying one example.
- “Country Life”: Tweeds, tartans, plaids and checks rule. These fabrics take on a series of moods, from equestrian vibes and Chanel-esque looks, to 80’s punk and schoolgirl uniform styles. I love them all.
- “The Long View”: Mid-calf skirts and floor grazing skirts are back. I do not like ankle length skirts, but I’m into the mid-calf length if the skirt design is funky and interesting. I was surprised to have picked up a Winter skirt this length in London last season and it’s become a favourite.
- “Minimalist Tendency”: The “less is more philosophy” at its best. The look is about architecturally structured clothing and fab shoes. No jewelry or accessories. I like the look on the right person, but it’s hard to pull off without the perfect piece. I’d also miss my pearls.
- “Superhero Worship”: I do not know how this trend will be translated into wearable fashion. We’re not sporting the Superman cape or the Wonder Women cuff and leotard. But I do fancy the idea of a shiny waist cinching belt and boots that can fly.
- “Winter Garden”: Prints of foliage, feathers and leaves are hot. I’m curious about this trend and reserve judgment until I see it in stores.
My dominant season is in full swing and I’m ready for boots and tartan. If you live in a warm climate, bring Autumn colours into the mix but keep the clothing lightweight. It’s nice to sport a different look when the season changes.

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16 Replies
Posted on Monday, August 11th, 2008 at 8:07 am
This is so interesting Angie! I like some and dislike some as usual.
I’d like to get one cool peplum jacket and one right mid-length skirt to wear with boots. And I’ll probably get quite a few pieces that are “Country Life” style, I love plaids and tweeds! That Bebe outfit on the right is very tempting.
I shall gladly skip the Superhero thing – my patent boots are as close as I’ll get to that. The Minimalist and Winter Garden tendency- I won’t say a definite no, so I’ll wait and see. I do tend to wear simple outfit in shades of black and grey in the fall when I am stressed or in a hurry.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 8:23 am
I think I’ll like the peplum style and love the Armani suit. Maybe someone will come up with the look for less money. The rest of the trends I’m not sure about. Are there rules for the best place for a mid-calf skirt to fall? If not wearing boots, what shoes for fussy feet best complete the look? I’m just beginning to enjoy the knee length.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I’m so happy I could cry. I love love love the sound of this. I am a minimulist at heart so you can imagine how much this resonates with me! Yes!
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Huzzah! Love the whole “Country ” thing – love plaids, checks, vests, equestrian and the winter garden could fit right into that – I’m thinking English country-fide romantic old money kind of thing. And I see the peplum, longer skirt and boots fitting into that too. I’m happy – sounds really good to me. I’ll be checking out the Victoria magazine for a few looks.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Fall fashion looks quite intriguing, particularly the peplum and the “Country Life” trends. I’ll pass on the mid calf ankle length skirts though. They seem kind of dowdy just like this summer’s maxi dresses
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Tweed, checks, and tartan: yay
Mid-calf skirts: pass
Superhero: pass
Peplum: definite pass
Minimalist: When done right it looks brilliant. If not it’s boring. Hard to say.
Winter garden: I think it sounds neat. I’ll give it a yay.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 9:55 am
For the most part I love the sound of this, especially “voluminous trend with a waistline.” I already own a number of plaids, tweeds, etc, and I have that feeling of being pleased the look is popular, but annoyed that something I’ve been wearing for a long time has become trendy. Same with the leaf/floral prints, although that’s something that’s harder to find, so I’m looking forward to seeing it in stores.
I’m going to pass on the ankle skirts–it’s not a good look for me, and I don’t like that it’s more or less the maxi dress trends continuing.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I love anything that defines my waist so yes for the peplum. Will the mid-calf skirts break the perfect knee length rule?
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 11:38 am
What a sinking feeling reading no jewelry?? Just when it seems I’ve amassed a wonderful collection of cherished statement necklaces. Are you serious Angie…no jewelry?
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Wow, that peplum jacket is fantastic! I’ll definitely keep my eye out for one of those. (Adding more to my list.) I love trying to emphasize what little waist I have. It makes me feel curvy.
The plaids and tweeds I’d picked up on already on my last shopping trip. I love that they are coming into style now, and I will certainly be wearing them.
Mid-calf skirts I find as unflattering as capris. Here is where Angie and I disagree. To me, ankle length elongates like PPL, while mid-calf makes the legs look stumpy. So I’ll be sporting ankle length instead. Horses of courses.
I’m not so sure about the “minimalist tendency.” I’ll have to see it done well before I try it. At the same time, I’m spending all of my budget on clothes and don’t have much if any left for accessories, so this could be a good look for me.
Again, not sure about the superhero thing. After I see it I’ll figure out if I like it, but I’ll probably take a pass.
The “winter garden” sounds interesting. Can’t wait to see it.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I’m excited for nearly all of these! Anything that defines waistlines is a joy in my world, as are minimalism and long skirts. Tweeds and tartans always appeal, but I never end up buying any. It’s still fun to observe, though. Superhero worship sounds like a gas to me, but I’m reserving judgment on the winter florals. It’s my only hesitation.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
More waist definition is always going to get my vote, and that suit you posted is beautiful. Tweed and subtle plaids and checks appeal to me. I’ve been wearing full-length winter skirts (perhaps less stylishly than I could be) for the past several winters, so I’m excited that they are a trend now since that will suggest more interesting ways to wear them. I loved the mid-calf fishtail skirt from Banana Republic last fall, so that length seems promising, too. I’m not sure about the garden idea, but I do like somewhat abstracted leaf prints, and leaf jewelry, so it could be nice. The superhero thing…well, that should be entertaining, at least. For the most part, I’m eagerly looking forward to these trends!
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
LOVE the peplum look… love anything 40s.
Tweed is great and I will be happy to stock up.
Plaid is okay in small doses (especially if it’s my DH’s tartan, which I have in a scarf).
Long skirts – will have to see examples of what you mean. I do have a black wool skirt I would call a column skirt – I’ve had it for a long while and keep hoping it will come back in style because it is a cherished piece of mine – used to wear it with chunkier heeled boots. Usually long skirts make me look too short but somehow this one always worked just right – made me look taller.
Minimalist… I do like some minimalist but I’m also disheartened a little about this.
Superhero… eek. Don’t think I’ll like this!
Winter garden… sounds possibly like something to do in a small way, like perhaps an accessory?
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I think I could pull off the whole superhero look. Kate Moss has been sporting the look with the over the knee boots, the shredded looking sweaters, feathers, and that whole very dramatic power woman look on occasion since last year. I think the superhero look has more to do with attitude than anything though.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
The plaid and tweed look delicious I love plaid and tweed. I should have been a farmer’s daughter. Give me a plaid shirt, daisy dukes and some wellingtons and I’m off to feed the pigs and milk the cows.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
A lovely pleasant response.
Tanya, I have patent black boots too. Guess I’m a super hero after all. Nice Kate Moss analogy Alisha.
Julia and Joy, I know I sound like I’m contradicting myself about skirt lengths. At the knee is by far the most flattering skirt length (after you’ve found YOUR knee length). Mid-calf skirts can look great too. But design and height is key. You need a bit of height, a super funky skirt style and fabulous knee high boots. I’ll post more of this tend later.
Sarah, a straight mid-calf length skirt without funky design features IS dowdy. I’m with you on that one.
Nan, continue sporting your statement necklaces. I’m bypassing the minimalist trend too.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
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