Runway to Real Way: Six Fall Trends Explained

As a stylist, I’m always hearing from clients and friends that while they love the looks on the runway, they often have a hard time trying to incorporate them into their every day wardrobe. This is especially true if you have a job that requires more conservative office-wear, or even if you tend to play it safe when it comes to trying new trends. To make the “runway” to “real way” transition a little easier, I’ve selected a few of my favorite fall 2011 trends and given some suggestions as to how to incorporate them into your daily wardrobe. Enjoy!

1. Colored Fur

Fur is back for another fall season! For 2011, however, designers broke from the traditional black, white, or brown and began showing colored fur on the runways. Bottega Venetta debuted this mustard colored option, which may be, well, a little much for everyday wear. I suggest swapping it out with a jewel-toned (which is also super trendy this fall) fur vest, like this one from Gucci.

2. Equestrian/Metallics

We are loving the equestrian inspired looks that graced many of the fall 2011 runways, and we are also loving the metallic, liquid-dipped fabric look as well! Moschino had the right idea combining them into one- but for everyday wear we suggesting not from head to toe. To rock this look for a night out I would suggest that you mimic the top half (metallic blazer with white button down) but switch out the pants for black jodphur-inspired leggings and add a pair of pumps (boots could make it a little too literal- you don’t want to look like you just got back from the stables!)

3. Menswear

Love, love, love menswear!! Dolce & Gabbana’s jumper is amazing, but the key to pulling off this look for everyday is to add in feminine pieces. Switch out the oxfords for pumps, forget the tie and button down (go with a plain tank underneath instead), add a cropped sleeve blazer (like this one from stylehaüs favorite, Smythe) and belt to enhance your shape and you’re ready for a day at the office!

4. Mixing Textures and Prints

As Marc Jacobs demonstrated with this look from the fall 2011 RTW collection, the key to mixing textures and prints is to keep the entire look in the same color family (or at least make sure the colors compliment each other) and add in basic colors, like black, to break it up. For everyday though, I would keep the textures and prints to only two items, like the top and the skirt, and add in basic black pantyhose and black booties.

5. Monochromatic Color

What was once a fashion faux pas is now a hot new trend! Wearing one color from head to toe is a chic look for fall, as seen on Blumarine’s runway. However, this look is more “real way” in a subdued shade like black or winter white. If you’re really feeling bold you could even try burgundy (a super hot color this fall), like Rosie Huntington-Whitely did in her Glamour shoot.

Marina Monroe is the CEO of Los Angeles based stylehaüs (www.stylehaus.com), the first boutique to apply a ‘members-only’ model to shopping and styling services.  Stylehaüs services celebrity clientele, celebrity stylists, and clientele nationwide.  Originally from New York City, Marina has over a decade of experience in a variety of fashion fields, including retail management, public relations, styling and product design. Follow her on twitter@MarinaStylehaus

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