Layers Ease Into A Relaxed Fall

Not everyone is ready for summer to be over, let alone shop for fall fashions. So I asked several friends what they were planning to do and they suggest easing into it all with layers.

Most are looking for mid-length dresses, mid-sleeve tops, or light jackets to add some life to summer tunics, which will eventually be traded in for warmer pants and dark denim. Just remember to keep it simple. Stick to light basics as a foundation to avoid too much bulk.

It also makes more sense to keep lighter foundations neutral, relying on accessories to provide a prop of color. The same can be said for textures. Anything with textures or more bulk will look better on the outside. The one exception is wearing a short jacket over a longer cardigan. (But honestly, I think it only works for smaller, slender women).

Three looks for fall foundations and layers from Free People.

Free People, which frequently carries more bohemian and vintage looks, is one of the better retailers who understands and appreciates layering. I covered them in late spring and early summer for a similar late spring season, giving summer fashions a reason to come out early.

For fall, Free People has plenty of layered looks that work well together. One example is about town cardi. The cardigan is soft, light, and reduces bulk because it can be easily swept to the sides. The original design, with cropped sides, allows the bottom to be styled tied, and features two front pockets and button placket closure. It is made with cotton blends, and can be machine washed.

If you want something more dramatic or bohemian in its styling, the marled fringe cardigan provides significantly more pattern and sports a knotted fringe trim. It's cute, borrowing more from a pullover than a cardigan. The unlined outerwear is a blend of cotton, linen, acrylic, wool, and mohair. The only downside is its hand wash cold only instructions.

Conversely, using something like the cable tunic as a foundation and then accenting it with the right jacket makes for a smart effect. The semi-sheer sweater tunic works as a dress with scoop neck front and deep v-neck back. But the v-neck makes it less wearable into the fall, unless you purchase a jacket. The one matched to the hero shot above is a tan biker jacket.

But other jacket styles might better match the different colors. For example, the jade green (one of this season's colors) might look better in black. Perhaps with an unzipped fleece jacket by Affliction or, for a completely different look (sticking with a more neutral tunic), a Sacha military jacket by Marrakech, which can be found at the National Jean Company.

Always keep in mind that most layered looks work for thinner women. Women with curves have a greater need to accentuate their waistlines. The examples I used keep things simple, focusing on layers. A third layer could be a scarf or small vest, taking care not to add too much girth in the middle.

Free People Layers And Foundations Stack A 7.8 On The Liquid Hip Richter Scale.

Layering has worked for a few years, especially as the days run hotter and the evenings cooler or if you have to move from the colder outdoors inside warmer stores or offices. But where layering requires some thought is in that it looks great, provided the layers are thought out for body size and the bottoms are kept reasonably slim. The point is to look comfortable, not bundled.

Free People frequently changes and adds to it's collection. For the newest fashions, look for the collection at Bloomingdales. The fleece jacket (about $108) can be found at Affliction and the Sacha military jacket by Marrakech (about $148) is at National Jean Company. Sometimes specific styles are limited, in which case any links will default to the storefront.

Vintage Havana Balances Retro Casual

Vintage Havana may have started as a casual beachwear clothing line, but nowadays it defines itself as street contemporary. There is a reason for the change. Vintage Havana has changed its approach.

Nowadays, the design team led by Joseph Shiloach and relative newcomer Marina Chianese start by creating a composite of what people are wearing now. And then, they translate what that might look like a few months ahead.

It helps turn design from a look designers want you to like into a design that you might be looking for. The spring fashions from Vintage Havana provide a great example. The designs still carry a retro look, but there seems to be an emphasis on layers, looser clothing, and a understated color palette. Even the tie-dye patterns are often confined to two colors.

Three Casual Comforts Without Forcing A Look.

If you were to translate these into looks, you might think stylized vintage, comfortably understated, and layered but not committed. It goes with what my female friends tell me is the trend or anti-trend ahead. Women aren't shopping for a look as much as they are shopping for something that lets them create a look.

The Tie-Dye Swing Tank is one example. It pulls together contemporary style with a simplified two-color tie-dye (not the bright rainbow colors of yesteryear). The effect adds a modern element while keeping the distressed look intact. It looks much more urban than beach, but works in either setting. Great for a place like Los Angeles.

The tank also carries a swoop neck line and racer back. The material is loose and comfortable, but accented with the right jacket adds even more versatility. I know because this was the tank one of my friends showed me as her example as of what's ahead. (Retail $48.)

The Spray Wash Sweatshirt works the same way. The relaxed fit with a scoop neck and mineral wash design lends well to something seen on the beaches or even a rugged environment. For the latter, a denim jacker might be the right match until the weather warms up. Or on coastal beaches, it's still loose enough to use as a pullover.

The sweatshirt comes in two colors, blue and gold. The blue seems more universal. You would probably need a deeper skin tone to make the gold really work. The sweatshirt is 50 percent cotton, 50 percent polyester blend. (Retail $74.)

The Lace Panel Tee also carries a scoop neck and follows the underlying theme. At the same time, it highlights one of the interesting ideas Vintage Havana introduced for late spring, early summer. Lace isn't just meant to be provocative; the sheer side panels keep things cool. Sheer is the right word; none of it looks to be heavily layered Victorian.

Several other designs rely on lace too. Some include lace backs and others, like some tanks, create a camisole effect (the lace rests over a soft under lining). The one shown is made of rayon with less than 5 percent Spandex. The lace also adds a design element, with one-quarter of the back exposed. (Retail $54.)

Vintage Havana Relaxes Spring Fashion With A 4.5 On The Liquid Hip Richter Scale.

Vintage Havana has several other ideas in mind. Many of them carry camo and other muted colors. Even the few neon striped tanks and tops are offset with grey and/or distressed lines, giving the clothes more character than overtly neutral and boring apparel. Some of them even have stylings reminiscent of the late 80s, but without the loud pastel colors or heavily layered lace.

Previous designs by Vintage Havana were much bolder, with deep, loud colors and heavily embroidered patches and designs. While I can only guess, some ideas seem inspired by Chianese's experience as a shopper for European boutique in Beach Haven.

You can find any of the Vintage Havana designs at the National Jean Company. The National Jean Company started in the early 1990s as a denim store, but now carries 100 brands for women and children.