1. style and fashion

ONLY IN THE
SOUTH
Bling it on, Baby!
By Marka Sims Palmer
Photography compliments of Cartise
F
all is my all time favorite fashion season; things
change, hemlines rise and fall, colors become richer
and more compelling. The mode of fall 2012 fashion
is well–mannered and ladylike with an infusion of
color. Luxurious noble fibers are back and in full force; fun
filled items are a must–have. Cashmere, mohair, alpaca and
angora fabrics are strong. Knits are skin–thin or lofty, and fur
trims are more beautiful than ever before. Fur designer Dana
Stein’s collection of boutique novelties has one of my all time
favorites, a brown knitted tie–front vest with brown fur trim,
edged with teal blue tips. It’s simply scrumptious. This color
combination is also available in a scarf that you can pop on
with a turtleneck and blue jeans to take your outfit from
“ho–hum” to “Woo–Hoo.”
I love accessories and feel that
the right accessory can improve,
enhance and change any wardrobe
in an instant. Accessories live
forever and there is nothing
cooler than putting on
the earrings your mom
gave you or the ladylike
handbag you inherited
with your new sweater
and jeans. I have a pair of
pearl screw – on earrings my
grandmother gave me that
were important to her even
though she only wore them
occasionally. She referred
to them as ear–bobs. I still
chuckle when I use that
word.
Deciding what key item
to buy this season with
the plethora of choices is
so mind boggling that it
makes us want to give up
on retail therapy as a solution to our stress. Never
fear, this will help clear the
waters and make that one
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purchase seem a little easier. Step into your closet and see if
you can bring new life into what lurks inside those doors.
COLOR TREND 2012
The colors for fall are rich and worth adding a piece or two to
your wardrobe. Here is a list of exciting palettes that await you.
Greens: Nature inspired, think Rhine Valley with its green
hills and golden church spires dressed up with Café’ Crème.
Rich Emerald Green is my choice teamed with black or
leopard print.
Blues: The cold waters of the Baltic Sea and the colors of
wintery blues and stormy teals are strong. Cozy fabrics in fur
blends and fleece are a great way to add some color to your
casual weekends in ghostly grey blues.
Spice: Think of the deep rich colors of a London drawing room
with velvets, silks and formal furnishings. Russet is popular
this year and is a blend of colors that sit somewhere between
orange and rust, evoking scents of the famous spice markets
in Bangkok and Istanbul. The colors of turmeric, curry and
paprika are inspiration for many designers this season.
Cafe Crème: Colors inspired by natural woods, stucco and
stones in leather, suede and cashmere come alive for fall. Think
of museum walls and the grand homes of Rockefeller and
DuPont with rich opulent marble in rice white and
sesame beige.
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STYLE TREND — Must Haves for Fall
1. Bling It On Baby: Add an item with bronze or silver
beading; sequins and stones are back.
2. Ponchos: If you don’t own one yet this is the year. This
rock solid trend is uber versatile and great over dresses,
jeans, pants and skirts.
3. Fur: Fur vests, scarves and jackets are a great investment
and give a look of luxury to any ensemble. Whether you
are a fan of real fur or faux this is a mood changer.
4. Lady-like Handbags: These demure handbags are
the new “it” bag. It can be new or that vintage lizard
you inherited. It’s a great look with jeans and for the
professional.
5. Turtlenecks: The driving force behind making the new
blazer trend work is a great turtleneck. If you own black,
beige and ivory, you have the tool to make jackets and
vests look crisp and new. Replace those old ones; nothing
looks worse than faded and tired knits.
6. Blazers: Classic, cropped, or oversized they are back and
the foundation of any chic wardrobe for fall.
7. Shoes: Sometimes they are simply works of art. My three
favorites this fall are high–heeled Mary–Janes, cap–toe
oxfords, and equestrian boots.
Designers are quirky and often just plain bizarre, but on
occasion there emerges a design team that gets it right and
addresses everything a woman needs. Such is the case with
design team and identical twins Gadi and Sharoni Padan. These
two are the creators of Cartise, a Canadian based women’s
clothier. Their goal is “to continuously evolve and create
collections that unleash a woman’s confidence and femininity.”
I think they are correct in their assumption as to what the right
garment can do for a woman. A new fur vest can unleash a part
of me that can downright frighten my family. Makes me want
to sing “Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty” (For those of you who may be
fans of “Big Bang Theory,” you understand, if not you need to.).
My husband still stays in shock that he married a woman who
spends other peoples’ money for a living. I hope this fall it can
be some of my own. A vest awaits me.
Fashion passes, style remains. Where can you find some of
the hottest trends for fall? That’s easy … Only In the South.
Marka Palmer is the former President of the
resident buying office at the Atlanta Apparel
Mart where she was the buyer for boutique
retailers nationwide. A freelance writer for
Accent, Accessories, BFIA, Swimwear, Eyewear
and The Fashion Advantage she has been a
retail consultant since 1993. Presently the retail
director for the shops at Barnsley Gardens, she
is the buyer for Addie’s Boutique.
www.nwgeorgialiving.com
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