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The 5 Sweaters you need for fall
Sweater season has arrived—and Fashion Fabrics Club has rounded up the essential styles that will instantly upgrade your fall wardrobe, pairing nicely with every basic and go-to in your rotation. Meet the 5 sweaters of fall ’16.
The Sweaterdress
This fall’s sweaterdresses are taking on a minimal shape in lightweight wools like cashmere, which makes for an easy go-to. Just add the season’s trending Chelsea boots and minimal jewelry and you’re ready for just about anything the day brings. (Extra tip: To prepare for fall’s temperamental climate, toss a pair of tights in your bag in case you’re caught in a sudden temp drop.)
The Collegiate Cardigan
The fall season is all about “back to school,” so it’s no wonder that preppy pieces start to pop back up on the fashion scene after a long summer of laid-back looks. The cotton sweater knit cardigan is a grown-up way to bring a little prep-school polish to a look. Heighten the appeal by layering over a boyfriend button-up.
The Sweater Vest
The name of the game of this season’s knitted sweater vests: the longer, the better. From thigh length to ankle skimming this easy toss-on transforms the most basic of fall looks—like a favorite pair of jeans and a simple tee—into a full-on look.
The Crop
The cropped sweater in a breezy cotton knit or crochet is just right for transition season. On warmer days, pair with a fit-and-flare mini skirt or high-waisted pencil skirt. For crisper, cooler days, use it as added dimension to a tailored look like a classic white button up and pair of patterned cigarette pants.
The Turtleneck Tunic
The perfect partner with all of fall’s leggings and skinny jeans, a long, sleeveless heathered knit sweater tunic offers so very many ways to wear. Wear it with a crisp button-up underneath to make it office-ready, or pair it with tights with an oversized trench or topcoat tossed on top to give it more of a sweater-y feel. The options are endless.
Fall Blooms
Just because the weather is starting to cool and autumn leaves are starting to turn doesn’t mean we have to pack up all our summery florals! Read Fashion Fabrics Club’s five easy ways to make summer’s floral prints fit the fall season.
A pop with denim
Pairing a summery floral cotton T with a favorite pair of denim jeans and olive twill jacket instantly makes it fall-right. Just add booties to complete the ensemble.
Skirt with a sweater
Despite its flowy, lightweight nature, a chiffon skirt can work well into the chilly months. Try it in a floral print with darker tones to keep it grounded and pair with a tonal sweater on top—the chunkier the better to even out the whimsy of the skirt.
A grunge twist
Don’t put those summer floral dresses away quite yet! Bring them into fall by pairing with an oversized knitted cardigan and a pair of tights or leggings. To top off the whole look, slip into a pair of combat or hiker boots.
Flirty midi skirt
Since midi skirts are fit for 4-season wear, bringing a floral print satin midi into fall is a breeze. Just add a long-sleeved cotton sweater and go. If the temps are particularly low, simply add a pair of tights to the mix.
Denim Skinnies
When floral print is done in denim, it’s totally fit for the fall season. Pair with a simple cotton T and a chambray button up to take the look even further.
Get Cozy
The days are starting to get shorter, there’s a crispness in the air marking the arrival of the new season—it’s time to get cozy. And Fashion Fabrics Club has all the right fabrics to make the seasonal transition a chic, and oh-so-comfy, breeze.
Super Soft Jersey Knit
A long-sleeved, oversized jersey knit dress feels like the most comfortable pajamas, but looks incredibly chic. For a wear-now look, go with bare legs and a tall boot. Opt for a cotton base to keep it lightweight and breathable.
Comfy Cozy Cashmere
Cashmere is the perfect fabric for fall, it’s super lightweight yet packs some major warmth while still have a somewhat breezy feel. Try it in a long tunic or sweaterdress with leggings and booties.
Fuzzy Flannel
Fall = flannel, time to break out the flannel button-downs! It’s such a versatile piece, especially when done in neutrals—wear it everywhere from bed to brunch, just pair with a simple T, denim skinnies and go.
Faux Suede
Faux suede has the most buttery feel thanks to its napped finish that makes it so comfy to wear, but is also looks so polished and put-together—a total sartorial win. For a really of-the-moment look try it in a pair of cropped culottes and heels.
Summer, Extended
That sundress you got on vacation, the ripped white skinnies you wore to every summer concert, the slip dress that kept you cool through the hottest of summer nights—there are some summer staples that are hard to pack up once the cool weather hits. Luckily, Fashion Fabrics Club has some easy tips on extending the life of your favorite summer pieces.
1. Add a pair of leggings
Even the most brightly colored summer dresses can get a fall makeover; the key is dialing down the loudness and, of course, adding warmth. Try adding a pair of spandex leggings or textured tights to the mix and top it all off with a pair of lace-up boots.
2. Go tone on tone
Wearing white after Labor Day is no longer a fashion faux pas; in fact, it’s highly encouraged from the fashion elite. This fall, style mavens will be making their favorite summer whites fall-ready by pairing them with off-whites, creams, and light tans.
3. Swap cotton for cashmere
Distressed denim and an easy cotton T is a natural go-to in the summer, an easy no-brainer that can go from errands to impromptu date night with a simple shoe swap. For fall, try switching the cotton T for cashmere, it still has that same insouciantly chic appeal but adds a luxe note to the look, not to mention incredible warmth.
4. Toss on a T
All those silk slip dresses you stocked up on this summer to combat the most unbearable sticky days can be easily carried into fall. In fact, it’s a major trend this year. Simply toss on a cotton T-shirt or turtleneck (depending on the chill factor) and find your slip instantly transformed, and completely of-the-moment.
5. Accessorize with knits
Beanies, chunky scarves, kitted tights—knitted pieces can take so many lightweight items into the cool-weather months. Try a chunky knit sweater with your favorite cut offs (add tights underneath for an another layer of warmth), an oversized knitted cardigan over a sundress, or a cropped knit sweater with your go-to summer maxi skirt.
Dial It Up
As days start getting shorter and the balmy weather begins to subside, it’s important to remember summer isn’t over, and these next couple weeks are the time to rock your most outrageous summer pieces. And what’s more outrageous than the most vibrant neon? Check out Fashion Fabrics Club’s favorites.
Cotton Button up
In a bright neon, the classic and professional cotton button-up gets a playful punch. Perfect with pencil skirts, a favorite pair of jeans, or even as a bathing suit cover up—no, beach days are not over!
Silk Tank
Tanks are a summer wardrobe must-have, but the easy piece really gets revved up when it’s done in a luxe silk fabric in a vibrant neon color—what could easily look drab looks incredibly fab.
Polyester/Spandex Romper
Time to break out the rompers, since this essential summer piece is rather difficult to take into the cool weather seasons, you need to maximize the wear right now! Try a poly/spandex blend, the stretch is essential when it comes to one pieces. And throw caution to the wind when it comes to picking a color.
Chiffon Maxi
This is a summer piece that actually can easily carry into fall with the right pairing, but it’s also perfect for showing off summer sun-kissed skin. Pair your neon chiffon maxi with a simple tank on top right now, and with a chambray or cotton button-up when the chilly weather hits.
Cut it Out
Funky, geometric cutouts have a way of transforming easy, otherwise simple, pieces into high impact wardrobe warriors. Check out Fashion Fabrics Club’s top 5 cutout pieces (and the fabrics to wear them in) that you should be rocking in these last weeks of summer.
The A-Line
The timeless cotton jersey A-line dress gets a little jolt of sex appeal when cutouts get involved. The best place for the little bit of skin exposure is right at the waistline—it heightens the hourglass effect of the already slimming silhouette.
The Maxi
Since there is so much fabric involved in the maxi, having a few cutouts in the mix keeps things breezy in the steamiest of summer days. Take your favorite floor-length chiffon maxi dress and give it a shakeup by taking out a panel from the back. Still totally conservative, but with much more breathing room.
The Peplum
The peplum top has a natural dainty, feminine appeal. To give it a little shot of edginess, try inserting mesh cutouts in a variety of geometric shapes. It’s just the design element that gives the tried-and-true piece an element of right-now.
The Shift
Give the quintessential and oh-so-timeless shift dress an of-the-moment upgrade with fun cutouts right around the neckline. The shape will still stay true to form no matter what fabric your prefer—cotton, chiffon, even silk—while adding a little dose of new-age cool.
The Button Down
Cutouts give the borrowed-from-boys denim button down a dose of femininity. And a whole lot of effortless chic. Too attached to your mainstay? No problem. Visit your local Salvation Army, pick up an oversized version and simply cut out the shoulders. Or, even better, start from scratch with any of FFC’s denim fabrics.
Velvet, the Fabric of Fall
Velvet is one of the hottest fabrics for this upcoming season, being used in everything from dressy floor-length gowns to edgy bomber jackets. Read Fashion Fabrics Club’s favorite ways velvet is being used by the most fashionable this fall.
Off the Shoulder
The off-the-shoulder trend (i.e. the “cold shoulder” trend) is in full force, and since it already has a dressed-up vibe, velvet is a natural pick, giving the silhouette an added element of elegance. Keep things sophisticated by using jewel tones like sapphire blue velvet.
Bomber Jacket
Bomber jackets are always getting a new makeover. Last time around, it was all about the floral silk bombers, but this season, velvet is taking center stage. The look is still totally edgy, but with a luxe twist. If you’re looking for something more feminine, try a light pink velvet, or you can make it more understated with a neutral like black or navy.
Trousers
Feeling adventurous? Take a lesson from the designer runway collections this season like this number from the Céline pre-fall collection and try using velvet in a pair of slouchy trousers. Bonus points for using an outrageous color like mustard or orange.
Oversized Blazer
Take velvet to the menswear trend and use it to give new life to your favorite blazer silhouette. Instead of feeling stuffy and professional, velvet makes the menswear-inspired staple feel fresh, new, and uninhibited. This season, it’s all about the oversized, slouchy design.
Slip Dress
The quintessential ‘90s slip dress has made an incredible comeback this year. And for fall, it’s all about the velvet. Try it with a casual cotton T underneath and a pair of knee-high socks to really drive home the nostalgia.
Find Your Tone
Cream with white, gray with charcoal, blush with pink—tonal pairings are easy, chic, and have a way of looking effortlessly cool. Check out Fashion Fabrics Club’s guide to pulling off the tone-on-tone trend.
Crisp summer whites are just perfect. Try white denim skinnies with your favorite lightweight white cotton T and toss on a long off-white or cream cardigan to top it all off.
Use tone on tone to put a new twist on the professional suit look. Combine a pair of tailored trousers in gray suiting fabric with a button up on top in just a hue lighter in a crisp cotton.
Blush tones are great summer shades especially when dressing up. Try a blush lace crop top paired with a pleated blush chiffon midi skirt.
Camel is the ultimate neutral tone and pairing different hues together is super modern. Try a linen camel colored pencil skirt with a lightweight sweater just a tint darker. Top it all off with a calf-length trench.
One of the easiest ways to do tone on tone is with an all-denim outfit. Pair your favorite pair of denim skinnies with a light wash denim or chambray button up. Cap off the look with a dark wash denim tailored blazer to give it a professional twist.
Black on black is the easiest pairing ever. Try it with a menswear spin: a pair of cropped cigarette pants with a cotton knit on top and add a third layer like a wool jacket on top to give it dimension.
Switch Things Up
Silk slip dresses with a moto jacket. Lace skirts with a cotton T. Cut offs with a chiffon kimono. Mixing high and low, casual and dressy is totally unexpected and keeps looks feeling fresh and insouciantly cool. Fashion Fabrics Club has all the fabrics you need to pull it off.
Cut Offs & Kimonos
Your uniform of cut off denim shorts and a simple tank gets a whole new look with the simple addition of a flowy chiffon kimono. Since it’s such a thin piece, it doesn’t add any bulk, which is a total bonus for the summer weather.
Slip Dress & T-Shirts
Worn alone, the silk slip dress is red-carpet ready. To make it everyday, pair it with a simple cotton T-shirt or turtleneck underneath. Top it off with a pair of sporty-chic sneakers. Instant change up.
Lace Skirt & Slouchy Tops
Tone down the elegance of a lace skirt by pairing it with something super simple on top. A slouchy wool sweater, a stretchy cotton crop top, a chambray button up, even an oversized striped oxford shirt. To give it a little edge, add a leather moto jacket as your final layer.
Leather Skirt & Luxe Tops
Soften up the tough edginess of leather skirts with a luxe piece on top. Try an embellished T or silky tank for summer, and a cashmere sweater to bring it into the fall.
5 Ways to do Culottes
From almost-to-the-floor wide legs to more tailored silhouettes, culottes are making a splash on the stylish streets this summer. Fashion Fabrics Club has rounded up 5 of the chicest ways to rock the trend, and the fabrics to make them shine.
Denim
Want to go casual? Try denim for your wide-leg culottes. Light wash, dark wash, white—anything goes. To amp up the insouciant appeal, leave the hem frayed and pair with a simple white T and flat sandals.
Faux leather
To bring the piece to the more edgy side, try them in a faux leather and exaggerated wide leg. The key to pulling it off is keeping the pairing minimal. Because there is so much volume on the bottom, keep the top form fitting, and the shoe as bare as possible.
Faux suede
In a faux suede, culottes are the perfect piece to wear now, with a simple T and strappy sandals, and well into the fall, with a long-sleeved button up and pair of heels or booties.
Silk
Looking for something more professional? You can make the trend office-ready by turning out the culottes in a silky fabric and pairing them with a blouse and pair of heels. Added bonus: it’s a chic look that can go straight from desk to drinks without a wardrobe change.
Suiting Fabric
One of the hottest ways to wear culottes made from suiting fabric this season is contrasting them with slouchy tops and sporty sneakers. You can easily bring the look into fall, too. Simply toss on a relaxed trench coat and go!
The Cover Up
Cover-ups are an absolute essential in the summer wardrobe. Whether you plan to spend time by the pool, a lounger on a roof deck, or under an umbrella at a sandy beach—a cover-up will allow you to go straight from sun bathing to sunset drinks without an outfit switch. Check out some of Fashion Fabrics Club’s favorite cover-ups for this summer.
The Romper
If you’re more of an active beach goer—playing volleyball, throwing a Frisbee, or tossing a football around rather than lying on a towel soaking in the sun—you need something you can run around in, and a romper is the perfect piece; shorts and a top all in one! Go for a light cotton or rayon fabric to keep things breezy.
The Shirtdress
If you’re headed somewhere like Cape Cod where the unofficial dress code is preppy-chic, opt for a shirtdress-style cover-up. The key is to keep it light by using a sheer fabric or super lightweight cotton.
The Jersey Dress
Looking to keep things casual? A simple tent-style jersey dress is just the cover-up for a relaxed day on a sandy beach, especially because you can toss it into the washing machine after a long day of salt, sand, and sunscreen.
The Crochet Shift
Using a crochet or lace material for your beach cover-up takes things to a whole new level of chic. Added bonus: it becomes an incredibly sexy going-out piece with the simple addition of a slip underneath.
The Kaftan
A silky kaftan is one of the most elegant ways to do beach cover-ups—a little boho, a little luxe, and a lot of glam. You can go with a floor-length style for maximum coverage or a short style for a little more sex appeal.
Age of Athleisure
Embellished sweatshirts, metallic running shorts, joggers with heels—the sport-chic trend of athleisure is still in full swing. And Fashion Fabrics Club has all the fabrics you need to pull off the look.
The Luxe Sweatshirt
Take note, the sweatshirt is no longer reserved for weekends and workouts. You can easily upgrade your favorite slouchy sweater with the simplest additions; try adding mesh inserts along the sleeves, a lace panel at the back, even give it a make over by adding an embroidery element.
The Haute Shorts
When you think elastic-waisted shorts, your mind immediately goes to the classic runner’s shorts. But in a metallic polyester, running shorts get a whole new look. That comfy no-brainer ease that comes with shorts gets amped up when they go luxe; all of a sudden you can wear them just about anywhere. Just toss on a simple top and go.
The Jogger, Redfined
Take your favorite cotton joggers from lounge to luxe in an instant. It’s all about the pairing—heels are a must, then, load up on the statement accessories; an oversized necklace, leather clutch, and a little fur never hurts.
The Mixed Media Legging
Leggings are the perfect, don’t-feel-like-chaning-out-of-my-pjs-but-still-want-to-look-cool piece. And with just a simple twist, they get transformed into a super chic way to play to the athleisure trend. Try them in a faux leather, or with added textural elements like mesh inserts or accent seams at the knee.
The Minimalist Maxi
Monochrome, neutral, tried and true. Every cotton jersey maxi in your arsenal can be transformed into an athliesure look. Just add a sporty sneaker and a messy side braid. Done and done.