Fall ready, are you?

Manpriya Singh 

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Every season, they bring back the 70s, the 80s or the 90s. Wait, since there are four seasons each year, chances are they bring each of these popular decades every year. The only wearable takeaway for most of the lesser fashionable mortals out there is that daisies and gingham are for summer, while plaids and leopard spots are for winters. 

And then there is the transitional fall season when even the fashionably armed feel a little sartorially challenged. 

Fall fashion trends, cut, dried and simplified for the plain Jane out there. While at it, little bit of celebrity inspiration for wardrobe never hurts anyone. 

 For most, the main reason to love fall is all those light sweaters, versatile scarves, silk blouses and transitional jackets. Div from the Indo western brand Doethereal starts with the shift in colour palette, which is the first to reflect the change of temperatures. “In terms of colour, lavender and pistachio are going to dictate this fall, and there is the right shade of lavender and pistachio for every kind of Indian skin tone.” She echoes the sentiment of what’s been already seen and forecast on the runways at the beginning of the year. Especially, the shade purple and for those who like high-end references labels like Tom Ford and Tibi put out the models in typical lavender outfits. 

Oversized blazers and structured jackets would be more her pick for the garments and silhouettes.  She adds, “Also, fall fashion is more of festive wear in Indian context. For instance, a dress made of brocade fabric, an organza cape, before we move onto much richer and deeper colours and heavier fabrics during winter months.” 

Plaids and checks never really left men’s fashion, but this season they are back like black. “If you compare with the last two seasons, checkered trousers are a big trend for men, since they all, by now, have every possible solid colour. It’s quite similar for women, layering being possible in fall,” opines Suvarna Kale, head of design at Blackberrys while reiterating how fall is the time when one can be actually fashionable and practically sport deeper colours. In terms of the subtle shift in fashion industry, she emphasizes on how the next few years are going to be about stretch fabrics across the sections, since they allow flexibility, comfort and versatility.” 

Fans of feathers... 

As you block some colours, and switch a few others, feathers and sequins, after months and months of cottons and linens, make a comeback.  Bow finishes were seen aplenty on the runway with high-street retail giants like Zara to high-end labels like Topshop retailing bow detailed uppers in quite a few numbers.  Anjana Shah, from the label D for Ditto, hails sequins as the one big trend dictating, come September and festive season. “Indians love to sparkle is not going to leave anytime soon. In fact, sequins and festive embroideries will rule the western garments like blazer.” A trend we saw even at Lakme Fashion Week winter festive in Payal Singhal’s collection. The staple corduroy shirt of the mid nineties is another trend making a comeback, but may be by next season. For those still stuck on florals, the summery sunflowers and lilies give way to dark moody winter flower prints against dark base as seen in Paco Rabbane’s fall winter 2019 collection. 

Fall has a way of sneaking in quietly, while winter has a way of showing up suddenly, leading to impulse urgent purchases. With this guide on fashion, no one should have to do that.