Mid-Season Summer sales have come to an end and Fall collections are on the way. Can you believe it! The seasonal switcheroo seems to happen a little earlier each year, but I’m not complaining. It will be Autumn weather in my neck of the woods before you know it. 

Here are six big jacket trends for Fall and Winter 2013. Each trend is very broad and can be interpreted through many different styles, fabrications and colours, both in tailored and oversized fits. Despite this variety, the overriding silhouette will make the jacket distinguishable as “a moto”, “blazer” or “bomber”. 

Bomber: We saw bombers fringe trending last year and now they’re mainstream. They are boxy, sporty, and fabulous with dresses, skirts and tapered trousers.

Moto: This is an iconic classic — especially in a tailored fit — that can be paired with just about anything. Cutting edge motos are very oversized, and literally look four sizes too big. I doubt these fashion forward versions will go mainstream, but you can’t go wrong with the iconic classic.

Blazer: A clean-cut modern classic that is updated every few years. Trendy blazers have a low stance with one or two buttons, and a narrow revere collar. Or they are double-breasted with a low stance. They are “multi media” and might have leather, lace, or colour blocked insets. 

Tuxedo: Another modern classic we borrowed from the boys. They’re popping up in all sorts of patterns, lengths and colours, which make them all the more fun and different. 

Military: It’s an officer’s military jacket complete with shiny buttons and the odd epaulette. This flavour of military jacket wafts in an out of fashion, and each time it does, there’s something a little new about the look. This season we’ll see cropped and boxy military jackets alongside the longer tailored versions. 

Avant-garde: A non-classic style that is arty, sometimes asymmetrical, architectural and boxy, usually quite dramatic, and full of interesting design elements that make it unique. Avant-garde styles have a long expiry date because they are pretty trend-immune, but don’t look classic either. 

Round Shoulder: The round shoulder jacket is all over current catwalk shows, both in tailored and oversized silhouettes. Its balloon shape over the shoulder and sleeve creates a very round effect, which is how it gets its name. They are like the jacket version of a cocoon coat. The bomber jacket in a rigid fabrication creates a similar “round shoulder effect”, and that could be your way of sporting the trend. I expect the oversized versions to stay fringe, because it’s easy to feel swallowed up in the style. But the tailored versions look very wearable, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they fly out of stores. 

You’ll also find jackets that are hybrids of these trends, like a moto with military flare, a blazer with avant-garde detailing, or a round shoulder jacket with a tuxedo collar. You’ll see familiar styles in unexpected fabrications. Like a tweed moto, leather blazer, or sporty bomber in suiting fabric. 

I love Fall fashion so I’m excited to see it in stores. At the same time I’m really enjoying my Summer clothes because we’re finally having wonderfully warm Summer days in Seattle. I am sans jacket for most of the day and it’s blissful.

Tick off the items on this checklist when you choose an outfit in the morning to ensure that you feel attractive, comfortable and appropriate for the day. The process sounds theoretical and time-consuming, but after a little practice, asking yourself these five questions becomes fast and intuitive. 

1. Are the colours and proportions flattering?  

Some outfits will be conventionally flattering, whereas others will sacrifice a little conventional flattery in lieu of an edgier or fashion forward look. Troubleshoot problem outfits until you are happy with the proportions. Most importantly, the outfit should reflect your figure flattering priorities. 

Check whether the colours work together and are flattering against your complexion.

2. Does the outfit map back to your Style Descriptor? 

My clients have a style descriptor, or a set of adjectives that describe what they want their style to convey. For example, client Meredith is a Playful Modern Classic who enjoys Bohemian, Bombshell, Androgynous and Retro touches once in a while. She wants to look tailored, playful, professional and approachable.

If you’re struggling with an outfit, think about how it maps to your style descriptor. 

3. Is the outfit right for the setting? 

Make sure your outfit is business casual if that’s the dress code at work. Or super casual if you’re off to the park with the kids. A little dressier if you’re going to the opera or theatre. Playful and creative if you’re going to an arty gallery. And fancy if you’re going to a formal wedding. 

4. Is the outfit weather appropriate?  

Taking into account the weather is of utmost importance. There is no sense in wearing a look that is too warm or not sufficiently insulating for the day. Dress for the elements.

5. Are you comfortable? 

Some days require extremely comfortable outfits because you’re moving around a lot and/or walking long distances. Others demand less physical activity and in these situations, you can probably sacrifice a little comfort. Being comfortable for the activities of the day is an important practical consideration. 

I have been focused on getting dressed in the morning, but this five question checklist is also useful during an outfit creation session like the ones I have with my clients. In this situation you are spending a bit more time and thinking about your style in general, so there are three additional questions you might want to consider. 

• Is the outfit in your comfort zone?
• Does the outfit evolve your style?
• Does the outfit incorporate a little bit of now?

I mentioned these points in a recent post on ensuring that your needs drive your outfit creation process.

It’s not essential to satisfy every condition on the checklist, but satisfying as many of them as possible will increase your outfit happiness factor and boost your confidence. Then you can forget about your outfit and get on with the rest of your day. 

In an informative article, the Los Angeles Times takes a critical look at upcycling in fashion, both from the consumers’ and the retailers’ point of view.

In the meantime Topshop is collaborating with Reclaim To Wear — a concept that brings together designers and retailers to create zero waste fashion — to launch their second upcycled fashion line.

If you’re into arts and crafts, Etsy seller Linzee McCray has some tips on how to upcycle items of clothing and accessories that have sentimental value.

Fab Links from Our Members

MaryK loved this brief interview with Diane von Fürstenberg because in addition to the multitude of fantastic quotes (e.g. about marriage), she’s such an inspiring business comeback story: big success when she was young, then hard times, and now back on top.

Nicole Kidman has a sassy new hairdo in this Jimmy Choo ad campaign. Kyle thinks she’s sporting killer footwear too, and is curious to hear if you find the outfits, including a white blouse, little black dress and khaki trench equally fab.

This week it’s all about the boys for Angie. These photos of Gregory Peck, James Dean, and Paul Newman — taken in the late ’50s or early ’60s — could be placed in 2013 Vogue and outshine any male model in the magazine (and the female models too for that matter!).

MNSara points us to a lovely blog post from Catherine over at Not Dressed As Lamb about featuring your best bits. It comes with encouragement and good rationale for us to find or even create our own.

Isabel Marant fan Annagybe reports that the French designer is creating a mix and match capsule collection for H&M that will be infused with “a certain carelessness that is very Parisian”.

TraceyLiz found it funny that a new survey showed that wedges ranked number one as the “least attractive shoe trend” in men’s opinions.

I thought we could have a fun poll on this American Day of Independence. Which of these three colours is your favourite. Note: Any shade of red, white or blue counts. For red it might be burgundy, tomato red or crimson. For white, cream, bone or bright optical white would all count. For blue it might be cobalt, ink or French blue. 

Tomato red is one of my favourite colours. I love shades of white with all my heart. My style would not function without white shirts and jeans, and cream outerwear, bags and footwear. I’ve rekindled my affection for light blue, and ink blue is a new favourite neutral. And I absolutely wear red, white and blue together in one outfit. 

So I can’t possibly pick a side. But I’m not allowed to bat for three teams, so I am sitting this one out on the bench with corn on the cob, veggie burgers and strawberries with ice cream. You are welcome to join me if you can’t pick a side. If you can pick a side, will you be batting for Team Red, Team Blue or Team White?

Happy 4th of July!