Ask A Sacramento Stylist: Putting Together Your Best Fall Look
Julie Vue
BellaVUE
1019 9th St, Suite A
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-1453
www.bellavueboutique@wix.com
Julie Vue opened BellaVUE in downtown Sacramento in early 2012, but she has been fascinated with couture and fashion design her whole life. During college, she focused on learning how to optimize the beauty and comfort of one's surroundings, skin and wardrobe. BellaVUE features career and casual wear that is sophisticated, tailored, fun and subtly sexy. A native of Michigan, she admits that fall is her favorite season and that she cannot wait for the cold weather to start.
Get layered.
With the constantly changing weather of a Sacramento autumn, layering can be a real boost for both your comfort and your style. Vue suggests pairing a blouse or cowl-neck top with a lightweight sweater. If things get chilly, a jacket can be added without piling on a lot of bulk. Mixing and matching light pieces is also a great way to get the maximum number of stylish looks with the minimum hit to your pocketbook.
Stay neutral.
Vue advises to "inject a little neutral" into your wardrobe while the weather is transitioning. And neutral means more than basic black, navy or white. "Charcoal gray and subtle spice tones like taupe, olive and even burnt orange fit perfectly into an autumnal palette," Vue says, and are flattering color options for most people. According to Vue, it is good to start introducing rich jewel tones such as emeralds, rubies and sapphires during the latter parts of the season
Consider the fit and functionality.
Vue says that well-made, tailored pieces have a feminine shape; something "fitted" is flattering without being tight. Tunics provide an attractive silhouette and Vue points out that side vents in tunics allow easy access to cell phones and other items in your pockets. Sleeveless or short-sleeved tops allow the wearer to have more freedom of movement, especially when layering.
Let your apparel multitask as much as you do.
When shopping for clothing and accessories, look for pieces that can be used in more than one outfit. Leggings and opaque tights are fall staples, according to Vue, and are good with tunics, shirts, sweaters and jackets. A self-professed boot fanatic, Vue says her favorites this autumn are above-the-knee slouch boots. Perfect with many types of outfits, the boots definitely draw admiring glances. Another hot trend for fall footwear are three-inch stiletto heels with an open toe and ankle strap. Surprisingly comfortable, they work with jeans, skirts, dresses and other outfits for work or play.
"Every woman should have a trench," pronounces Vue. She suggests a sleeveless trench dress in taupe or olive, with leather-like accents on the wide fabric belt and slash pockets. The dress, a little bit Indiana Jones and a little bit sexy spy, can be worn as is, with leggings, over or under a sweater or as a jacket.
Add a little glam.
Rock your neutrals and other fall favorites with a splash of color or a bit of bling. Vue offers a diaphanous tunic of cream, lilac and gray with the neckline and front placket adorned with beads and crystals, and a rich teal blouse with rows of small rhinestones on the collar. Embellished head wraps, glittery necklaces and cuffs, golden ropes with tassels and skinny belts with gleaming chevrons can add just the right pop to neutrals. Even if you are more of a "t-shirts and jeans kind of girl," Vue says, you can amp up your look with a red purse with studs and rhinestone rivets on a chain of dark, matte links.
Related: Best Jewelry Stores In Sacramento
Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
