A Successful Counter Trend That Has Become The Prevailing Fashion Of The Moment - Forbes

A Successful Counter Trend That Has Become The Prevailing Fashion Of The Moment - Forbes
Vintage, faux and real: navigating fur in fashion in an age of sustainability - harpersbazaar.com
8 fall fashion trends priced $39.99 to $3640 — and where to find them now at Charlotte boutiques - Charlotte Agenda

Posted: 24 Oct 2019 06:28 AM PDT

Over the years, I think the most important part of my research probably stems from the button down shirt. Many fashion professionals proclaim that the shirt isn't as important as it use to be, since so many people are trying to fit into a certain modern mold, a mold often already set by others with an agenda to promote their own fashion visions as well as revenue for that matter.

Nevertheless, I am looking to who is creating the most buzz out there and how can that translate to a story for the men's market. Although data is important, my gut instinct is still what really guides me. When it comes to menswear, I take note of everything, including every time I see something new noticing what is the big-picture message is for the current season and even years to come.

It all starts with culture. For industry insiders, we all seemingly hold consumer behavior under a constant microscope and it will most certainly affect every single thing we forecast. It is knowing what drives consumers into new behaviors or what holds them back. It is important for me to point out that while it is newness and innovation that drive us, we also need to understand why consumers will not do something. In short, they are both equally important.

Verily, it is an exciting time to be in the menswear business. In fact, it is the only segment of the industry to have grown on a year-to-year basis since the great recession of 2008. It is the speed of trends that is picking up velocity each year as American male consumers are much more educated about their personal style and the overall industry as a whole. In general, men are evolving as rapidly as the swiftly moving societal change. Gone are the days of dressing poorly as men now demand the trend-right merchandise that tells a story and fits today's needs of modernity.

Over time, the shirt has been elevated to represent the most intimate and the most important part of a man. The shirt is a strong indicator for a man to assert his identity. In short, all the meanings of the items past have not been lost over the course of time. Although marketing may make them seem obsolete or offer various alternatives, the importance of a shirt continues to affect us, consciously or not, whenever we purchase one. Take a white shirt for instance, it is the very basis of men's fashion. In a word, it is the ultimate equivalent of mental purity. Henceforth, why is worn on important days albeit an interview, meeting or presentation.

The shirt has developed overtime. Up until recently, the collar was undoubtedly one of the most important details on a shirt. At first, there was only the Mandarin collar, but in the 1930's the reversible collar had taken the thunder away from the mandarin and took the lead for men around the world. I should also mention that back then the collars were detachable. Could you imagine how long that would take to get ready in the morning? As for other developments, from fabrications to wrinkle-free etc..., the most prestigious innovation came most recently from a hybrid in scaling thus defining the shirts iconic modern status.

Almost a decade ago, when I first saw the TV commercials for the UNTUCKit shirt brand, I thought at once that it was a stroke of genius. You see, the details define the object, whereas the men who wear it, live it. It is that simple. I thought back at how many times (after clocking out at the office), untucking my shirt and appearing so disproportionate and sloppy looking. The stories of sloppy shirt tails are endless therefore I am sure as a day is long that you have your own stories as well.

In the USA, when it comes to fashion, men possess a feeling of camaraderie. All for one and one for all. Since the beginning of our great nation, American men were often thought of as the orphans of proper dress. The fact is; we pride ourselves in doing things our way; the American way. I am a huge proponent of American menswear style history as well as the ingenuity it brings forth to the modern era.

Just a few weeks ago, my fashion team and I reviewed the UNTUCKit collection. Upon wearing the samples about NYC, we received so many compliments from both men and women. A nice variety of styles to wear untucked just felt right - for all of us. Moreover, we gave it the wash-and-wear test and it passed with flying colors. The brand is a brilliant example of a successful forward-thinking strategy that fulfills the need of the modern day consumer.

Created in 2011 by founder Chris Riccobono and CEO Aaron Sanandres, UNTUCKit has given men a seamless way to look sharp and feel casual by creating shirts designed specifically to be worn untucked. Over the past 8 years, the brand has expanded to offering 50 fit combinations and 13 product categories—ranging from T-shirts and polo's to sports jackets and pants—in addition to a wide selection of shirts, dresses, and blazers for women. UNTUCKit is dedicated to creating an unmatched shopping experience, with more than 75 physical retail locations across the U.S. and Canada and plans to open in the UK in the fall of 2019.

UNTUCKit's offering has seen massive expansion throughout the years, resulting in 50 unique fit combinations, 13 product categories and the recent launch of our first cohesive women's line. What once started as a button-down shirt has now grown into a brand where customers can find their entire wardrobe in one place.

The classic UNTUCKit shirts are now available in all kinds of fabrics like wrinkle-free and performance, flannel, and Italian cotton, as well as a vast assortment of solid, stripes, checks, patterns. We also have all kinds of layering options like sweaters, jackets and vests. Our women's line is a curated assortment of wardrobe staples that women can seamlessly weave into their wardrobe from stretch silk and no-iron shirting options, to versatile shirt-dresses and the perfect black pant.

I recently had the privilege to speak with Untuckit Founder Chris Riccobono about the how he developed this forward-thinking brand, what aspects of his own lifestyle helped fuel this idea and what the core qualities of these styles allow for them to flourish in a wash and wear test compared to others in the market!

Joseph DeAcetis: Talk to Forbes about the history, launch date and DNA of the UNTUCKit brand?

Chris Riccobono: I created UNTUCKit in 2011 after having a personal realization that men needed a seamless way to look sharp, even at their most casual, since all of the shirts on the market at the time were too long and too sloppy. I soon brought on my Columbia Business School friend Aaron Sanandres, and when we created UNTUCKit, our signature button-down shirts quickly became a leading style in the industry and a staple in men's wardrobes. Since then, our brand has grown to offer more than 50 fit combinations among our signature shirt collection, and we've expanded into 13 product categories–ranging from T-Shirts and polo's to sports jackets and pants. This fall, we launched our first full womenswear collection of incredible foundation styles for women grounded in shirts, dresses, and blazers. Before founding UNTUCKit, I was working at GE Healthcare and studying at Columbia Business School, when I realized that it wasn't just me struggling to find a shirt that looked good—and not sloppy—being worn untucked. I originally started the business as a side job and worked from my apartment in Hoboken, NJ, but we quickly realized that UNTUCKit was a legitimate need in the men's fashion industry.

JD: In your words, what is your competitive advantage in the shirting market?

CR: Our competitive advantage has in large part been due to us having the first mover advantage in the market. Men have been wearing their dress shirts untucked for decades, but by creating shirts designed specifically to be worn that way we successfully created a business around the style. Our wide customer demographic has also given us a leg-up in the industry, as we've taken the opportunity to be inclusive across our sizing and styling options to ensure we have something for every type of guy.

JD: In your words, what aspects of your own lifestyle helped fuel this idea?

CR: Like so many entrepreneurs, the concept of UNTUCKit was born out of an issue I was struggling with on a regular basis. Whether I was going for drinks after work or around town on a Saturday afternoon, I constantly felt like my button-down shirts were too long and sloppy to look good untucked. I specifically remember a trip I took to Las Vegas where I wound up wearing the same shirt day after day just because it was a little out of spec and wound up falling at a shorter length than the others. That trip moved me to ask my coworkers and friends if they ever ran into this problem, and I quickly learned that they were all dealing with the exact same issue.

JD: Can you elaborate on the approach with concern to fit in the collection and why you developed the collection with these types of items in mind?

CR: Fit is at the core of our brand because it is our key differentiator from other menswear retailers. Our shirts had to be the perfect length from the start—any shorter and they'd look ridiculous and any longer and they'd look like everyone else's shirt. Now that we offer 50+ fits across each size, we've continued to focus on how the shirts fit and fall by taking measures (like testing fabrics at our factories in specific ways and washing shirts multiple times) to make sure each UNTUCKit shirt fits the same, perfect way.

JD: What consumers do you believe will benefit most from the unique fabrication offering in your men's and women's collections?

CR: The best thing about the UNTUCKit shirt is that it caters to so many consumers. We have an option for every kind of guy—whether that's a small solid cotton, large pink gingham or XXL classic polo—and our women's line has the classic staple items every woman needs in her wardrobe. Our physical retail presence has also given customers another way to engage with our brand. We've focused on creating a seamless and accessible shopping experience whether online or in-person at one of our 75+ physical locations across the U.S. and Canada (and in the UK, later this Fall!).

JD: What are the core qualities of these styles that allow for them to flourish in a wash and wear test compared to others in the market?

CR: The key factor that keeps our shirts looking great after so many washes and wears is the high-quality fabric we use, whether it's a classic cotton button-down or one of our unique fabrics like the Pique Polo Hybrid. A lot of our shirt fabrics also offer specific qualities to make men's lives and wardrobes easier—like light stretch, wrinkle-free, moisture-wicking and odor control—while serving both a fashionable and functional purpose.

JD: Why do you believe these fabrications and fit were missing within the market before UNTUCKit and what new opportunities do these styles offer to buyers that might have not been readily available before?

CR: When we launched UNTUCKit, the casualization of men's' wardrobes had really started to take off. Men were (and still are) searching for a way to look elevated and sharp while feeling casual and UNTUCKit was the perfect solution to that need. Over the years, men have continued to combine their workwear and out of office styles and we have continued to offer them products that work for both styles.

JD: How has your consumer base changed since first launching UNTUCKit and how to do you predict it will grow/change in the future?

CR: Our customer demographic has always been broad, ranging from 25-55, and we expect it to remain in that range. UNTUCKit will always be a great option for men who want to look good in a great fitting shirt, and that includes everyone from recent college grads to middle aged fathers to older guys working in a corporate office.

JD: Why was it important for you to create a women's line and how do you believe the modern woman will benefit from this collection?

CR: As the men's business began to grow, we knew we wanted to offer a similar, great product for women as well—plus, we'd heard from many of our stores that while some women were shopping for their loved ones, they were eager to shop for themselves as well. Our female customer loves to travel and is in need of those great staple pieces, so creating the right fabrics; styles and selection had taken a lot of time. We're excited about our new Fall 2019 collection, as it's the first cohesive line we've released!

JD: Talk to Forbes in detail about the current collection and product offerings and why it is important for consumers to understand to be aware of this brand?

CR: UNTUCKit's offering has seen massive expansion throughout the years, resulting in 50 unique fit combinations, 13 product categories and the recent launch of our first cohesive women's line. What once started as a button-down shirt has now grown into a brand where customers can find their entire wardrobe in one place. Our classic UNTUCKit shirts are now available in all kinds of fabrics like wrinkle-free and performance, flannel, and Italian cotton, as well as a vast assortment of solid, stripes, checks, patterns. We also have all kinds of layering options like sweaters, jackets and vests. Our women's line is a curated assortment of wardrobe staples that women can seamlessly weave into their wardrobe from silk and shirting options, to dresses and the perfect black pant.

JD: Can you name a few celebrities and athletes that follow the brand? What do you believe attracted them to UNTUCKit?

CR: Our celebrity and athlete engagement is something we're really proud of because it truly highlights the fact that UNTUCKit is a great fit for every shape, size, and lifestyle. We have a few guys who love the brand so much that they're both ambassadors and investors, including Drew Brees, Wayne Gretzy and Chase Elliott. We're lucky to have these guys as a part of the UNTUCKit family and love how much they support the brand—plus, they look great in the shirts too! We've also had some key celebrities wear our shirts including Matthew McConaughey, Danielle Brooks, Jason Maybaum, Jason Kennedy, Michael Strahan, Rod Riggle, and Sean Hayes, to name a few!

JD: Where is the product made and why?

Top-tier manufacturers make our fabrics exclusively for us across the world—all of whom adhere to strict social and environmental guidelines. We test every batch of fabric to ensure the best possible quality and consistency, so all of our button-downs, polo's, tees, Henley's, and more have that just-right length and fit perfectly. UNTUCKit is focused on offering the highest quality products to our customers, which is why we source the best materials from across the globe.

Vintage, faux and real: navigating fur in fashion in an age of sustainability - harpersbazaar.com

Posted: 24 Oct 2019 03:12 AM PDT

Over the past 50 years, our attitude towards using fur in fashion has changed monumentally. Where it was once deemed the ultimate luxury high-fashion material to be seen wearing, it is now broadly frowned upon. Magazines avoid featuring it, retailers refuse to sell it, more designers than ever have stopped using it in their collections and now, even whole cities and states have banned the sale and manufacture of fur.

This change in attitude was the result of years of animal-rights activists making noise in the industry, protesting fashion weeks and targeting designer stores, coupled with a deeper understanding of the practices involved and shift in cultural perception. Brands eventually listened and it has resulted in an almost blanket ban on the use of fur in high fashion, with Gucci, Versace, Burberry, Armani, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Vivienne Westwood and many, many more publicly pledging never to use it.

Marilyn Monroe wearing her fur coat

Frank Worth, Courtesy of Capital ArtGetty Images

Now, we are entering a new age in fashion as a result of the climate crisis, which brings into question best practices for designers in terms of creating collections using only the most sustainable materials and techniques available – with the spotlight inevitably turning to faux fur. Is the replica version really better for the planet than real fur? Should we should be shunning faux fur in favour of fur products that already exist?

It is, of course, an extremely complicated question, one which has both powerful moral and scientific arguments behind it. We asked the designers of the Copenhagen-based label Saks Potts, which uses real fur; the faux-fur designer Emma Brewin; and vintage specialists Vestiaire Collective to give us their takes on how best to navigate the topic of fur in a new age.

Is the use of real fur always immoral?

The entire reason that attitudes to fur changed so dramatically in recent years had moral grounding. Anti-fur activists argue that killing animals for fashion is unethical and, particularly when there is an alternative, completely unnecessary. Peta, in its argument against the wearing of any type of animal product, makes a strong case about why it should never be an option.

"Animals are not ours to wear, walk on or carry our possessions in," the charity explains on its website. "Before animal skins reach store shelves, animals live a life of misery, pain, boredom and fear, and many are skinned alive. On fur farms, animals such as foxes, minks and chinchillas spend their entire lives confined to tiny, filthy wire cages."

It is difficult to argue against the case that animals should never be killed for fashion, especially when done in such horrific circumstances. However, many designers who do choose to use real fur in their collections argue that there are ethical ways of doing so, and that, ultimately, it is the more planet-friendly option.

Saks Potts, a brand that is worn by many well-known influencers and celebrities, still uses real fur in its collections. Despite the negative stigma around this, the designers feel passionately that they have found the most sustainable method for creating their fur products.

"Natural fur is one of the most sustainable materials available," the designer Cathrine Saks tells us. "We believe that the future needs sustainable solutions, and using natural fur instead of fake fur is one of the answers to the challenges the fashion trade is facing."

Casper Sejersen

She makes a persuasive point; real fur is a natural material that decomposes into the earth without harming the environment after use, rather than plastic fibres from synthetic products (including some faux fur), which can end up polluting our water.

The brand also argues that its use of fur is not as cruel as it might seem on the surface. Saks Potts only sources from Kopenhagen Fur, a fur auction house that stocks pieces with Welfur accreditations, in which there are many strict regulations in place to ensure a high quality of life for the animals.

"The programme is designed to provide an objective and reliable animal welfare assessment," the designer Barbara Potts explains. "It also ensures transparency for customers and enables an overall animal welfare improvement."

And, although killing for fashion seems cruel, Potts makes an interesting case for the use of fur compared with other animal-product industries that many happily consume on a daily basis.

"We regard fur as being on par with chicken, milk, leather, wool or any other animal products people use every day," she says. "When animals are treated with the highest degree of respect – which they absolutely always should be – we do not oppose the legal use of any such materials or products."

What about real fur that already exists?

While you might be of the view that the use of real fur is completely unacceptable, it's possible that the argument is different when concerning real-fur products that are already in existence. Wearing any kind of real fur can be deemed to be promoting the killing of animals, or glamorising the fur industry, but with the future of our planet at stake, is it acceptable to throw out clothing or refrain from wearing something you already own, have inherited or bought second-hand, just because it's made of fur?

According to the charity WRAP (The Waste and Resources Action Programme), the average lifetime for a garment is estimated at 2.2 years in the UK. Expanding the life of clothing by a time as small as nine months can significantly reduce its environmental impact. Real fur is durable and can last for decades. So, particularly when considering vintage fur items that have already been produced, the wearing of real fur can be justified from an environmental standpoint. Using what already exists does not harm any animals and will avoid damaging the planet further through the production of a new piece of clothing, as you are supporting circular fashion.

VenturelliGetty Images

Sophie Hersan, the co-founder and fashion director of the designer second-hand retailer Vestiaire Collective, explains how giving items a new life is vital and that, although they do have a preference for faux, the site does sell real fur in some cases.

"We are naturally in favour of faux fur, from Gucci to Stella McCartney," she told us. "Nonetheless, we allow a second life to existing items, which include vintage fur."

Is faux fur bad for the environment?

Faux furs are typically made from synthetic polymeric fibres, such as acrylic, modacrylic and polyester, which are all essentially forms of plastic. These chemicals are derived from coal, air, water, petroleum and limestone, which are incredibly harmful to our environment. According to a study from the Ocean Conservancy, plastic has been found inside the bodies of more than 60 per cent of sea birds and 100 per cent of sea turtles, which is contributing to a rise in extinction rates of various species.

In addition to this, when some of these faux-fur garments end up in landfill, just like petroleum-based plastic bags, they can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. In comparison, real fur can biodegrade naturally within six months to a year.

On paper, faux fur is more damaging to our environment than the use of real fur. However, not all faux fur is created equally. Many high-fashion brands that use replica fur argue that the high-quality materials they use do not have this same negative impact on our planet. But, ultimately, when faux-fur trends trickle down into fast-fashion brands, this becomes harmful to our environment.

Courtesy of Emma Brewin

The buzzy faux-fur designer Emma Brewin, the woman who creates those well-loved fluffy hats, recognises this, explaining how this relates to her own work.

"I know that a lot of other brands are starting to do the bucket hats [that I am known for] and I think it's such a shame because regardless of the processes we are using, some fast-fashion brands are always going to find a cheaper alternative, which is worse for the environment," she explained.

"I wish I could have more of a voice for that, but it's difficult to control what goes on and what other brands are doing. It would be incredible if there were better measures in place to stop that."

Ultimately though, Brewin is of the opinion that real fur has no place in our wardrobes these days, even if faux fur has its environmental drawbacks.

"There's no need to take an animal's life for fashion," she told us. "I get that back in the day it was necessary for survival, but now we really don't need it. There are so many different statistics and facts about it that can all be so biased depending on who is trying to fight which corner, but I am also aware that faux fur isn't the best material for the environment."

It must also be noted that high-quality faux-fur products are going to have a greater longevity in your wardrobe – as with any well-made item that you love and keep for years – and are therefore, far less harmful than a piece of clothing that is going to be discarded after one season. Taking this into consideration, if you're opting for faux fur, make sure that you are buying it from a designer using high-end materials and transparent processes – and make sure that is is something you will wear for years to come.

Courtesy of Emma Brewin

How do I decide?

It's not as straightforward as deciding whether you're on team faux or team real (or, indeed, opt out of both entirely). Aside from whether it's ethical to wear vintage furs, or the argument that cheaply made faux fur is causing sustainability issues of its own, there are many things to consider when buying a fur product, fake or otherwise.

While faux fur appears to be the more ethical choice, in that animals aren't harmed for its creation, faux fur is widely believed to be much more harmful to the environment than its natural counterpart.

Whichever way you look at it, and whatever you decide, just make sure to do your research, which will equip you to make informed choices. As with any purchase you make, don't simply be swayed by trends, aesthetics or influencers; find out who you're giving your money to, what their process are and then decide if it's something you want to support. Everyone can benefit from making more mindful shopping choices.

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8 fall fashion trends priced $39.99 to $3640 — and where to find them now at Charlotte boutiques - Charlotte Agenda

Posted: 23 Oct 2019 04:56 PM PDT

We're back at it again. And this time we get to put on chunky sweaters and elastic waist pants and other cozy things that can sometimes be slept in. It's amazing. Join us for this season's trends of jewel tones, bell bottoms, pistachio green and, once again, animal print.

Here's how it comes together: Katie pores over runway reviews to see which trends are big for fall (according to actual fashion editors), texts a condensed list of trends to Mary, and then we drive around to local boutiques to see how that's translating as everyday wear in a city that's not exactly on the map as a major fashion hub.

Follow us to the fitting room for a casual, unedited, un-styled look at the themes we saw popping up at multiple shops — priced from $39.99 to $3,640. Where available, we've included links to purchase online.

Here are the stores we visited this time:

Boem – 3920 Sharon Road
Capitol – 4010 Sharon Road
CRIV – 1111 Metropolitan Ave.
Girl Tribe – 1800 Camden Road
Julie's – 4145 Park Road
K|LA – 4123 Park Road
McKenzie Claire – 1419 East Blvd.
Poole Shop – 4010 Sharon Road
Vestique – 1532 East Blvd.

Animal Print (yes, still)

This trend has been holding on for several seasons and we're 100 percent here for it. Sorry if you don't like it because it's everywhere.

Marc Jacobs leopard coat, $2,600 at Captiol

If you're looking to drop some $$ on a winter coat this guy is super comfortable and sized to wear over chunky sweaters.

Jonesy skirt, $52 at Girl Tribe

Always love a mini + long-sleeve combo and Charlotte has the kind of erratic weather that can accommodate both ends of the coverage spectrum in one outfit.

ASTR Nikita dress, $148 at Boem

The shoes are from Boem too (and I bought them) — Zippy hidden wedge sneaker, $82

Leopard Faux Fur jacket, $82 at K|LA

I've been searching far and wide for the perfect black bomber but maybe I need to consider something more wild?

Dolce & Gabbana button front leopard dress, $2,845 at Capitol

The in-your-face-ness of this bold pattern in such a proper traditional silhouette is *chef's kiss* perfect.

Dolce & Gabbana short leopard dress, $2,295 at Capitol

If full shoulder to ankle leopard print is too much for you, this dress is also available in a shorter, more playful above-the-knee option.

Pantara Cardi, $114 at Boem

A nice and subtle earth-tone sweater.

At Your Earliest Convenience skirt, $52 at Vestique

Silk midi animal print skirts are about as common as jeans these days, and you can bury me in this one. I bought it.

BB Dakota Hot Spots dress, $100 at Boem

I'll be the first to say I'm not an expert on office appropriate attire since I wear crop tops around the Agenda HQ, but I'm going to venture to guess this is a safe enough bet in most settings. You can also dress down with sneakers and a cropped black (vegan) leather coat for happy hour and beyond.

Millennial Purple

So long, millennial pink. Purple has arrived. This trend hasn't quite landed in Charlotte yet, and what we did manage to find skewed more into dusty rose territory than what really lies ahead in vibrant hues of violet and lilac. Some shop owners said purple is expected to hit Charlotte in spring inventory. For now, we did our best.

Mustard Seed dress, $44.99 and Julie wedge sneaker, $39.99 at Julie's

Millennial purple even looks good on elder millennials. Also that cinched waist is 100.

Layered in Lilac dress, $62 at Vestique

A cooler girl than I would wear this with boots and some kind of big hat I can't pull off and pose in a vineyard or something.

BB Dakota jacket, $100 at Boem

Boem isn't great at carrying big-girl sizes, but I did find this fluffy jacket that wouldn't zipper up on me.

The Quinn Dress, $58 at Girl Tribe

Almost-purple dusty lavender color aside, it's also worth pointing out that this style of tiered ruffle mini-skirt is everywhere right now. Again, for fall you'd pile on an oversized sweater and boots or sneakers to make it work.

Gold and Silver

Shine on as shimmery lamé fabrics make a comeback ahead of the holiday season.

Current Air Venetian top, $108 at Boem

I couldn't find a direct link to the top (it's available in the store) but a long pleated version of a skirt is available online.

Current Air gold skirt, $108 and Hysteria Tour Weekend tee, $70 at Boem

How many girls will we see wearing this exact skirt on New Year's Eve?

I tried it on, too. The answer to Mary's question is me. You will probably see me wearing it. (Please note another tiered mini skirt.)

Entro gold sleeve shirt, $39.99 and Roaming Wyoming boots, $44.99 at Julie's

Almost bought the shirt, did buy the boots.

Truth Hurts pants, $58 at Girl Tribe

These pants are 100 percent Lizzo approved.

Jewel Tones

Can't afford fine jewelry? Wear the colors of gemstones instead — like amethyst purple, emerald green and citrine yellow.

(I, Katie, selectively avoided this trend because my neutral earth-tone soul can only handle two color trends per season, thank you.)

Monica skirt, $52 and CLT Leopard tee, $38 at Girl Tribe

Is it just me or do skirts keep getting shorter? Let's just say I wasn't going to do any bending in this amethyst number.

Astoria sweater, $52 and Leopard Lady skirt, $38 at Girl Tribe

I kept stupidly mixing trends together and then not knowing which category to put them in so here you have a jewel tone sweater and animal print skirt.

Rachel Lurex Doss skirt, $595 and Pink Floyd tee, $160 at Poole Shop

Do you think Katie is going to yell at me for constantly pairing skirts with oversized T-shirts?

Wyoming Adventure pants, $49.99 and Basics & Waffles top, $34.99 at Julie's

Yes! These are pants!

Patchwork

Scarecrow chic is very seasonally appropriate.

Rianna and Nina maxi dress, $3,640 at Capitol

Someone buy me this, my husband won't let me spend $3,000 on a dress.

Playing on Repeat dress, $72 at Vestique

A feel like a doll from Little House on the Prairie.

Moving Far Along skirt, $58 at Vestique

It's a tiered mini skirt (!!!!!!!)

Bell Bottoms

Your mom rocked these pants back when she was still making out with random dudes in her college dorm room. Now it's your turn.

Rocketman denim, $72 and Marge sweater, $48 at Girl Tribe

1. Pair your bell bottoms with this millennial purple sweater. 2. Take a photo in front of the South End Heart Wall. 3. Become the next hot Charlotte influencer.

Black distressed bell bottoms, at Vestique

These look like denim but actually have an elastic waistband and slip on like leggings.

Untamed pants, $52 and Blogger Babe sweatshirt, $52 at Girl Tribe

Double points if you wear bell bottoms that are also animal print. Also, they made me put on this sweatshirt. I am not an influencer.

Plaid

The most predictable of fall trends is back every year. Do we even need to discuss it?

Stephan Tartan dress $1,125 at Capitol

I love plaid. I love dramatic sleeves. This dress is perfect.

I tried it on, too. You can tie the wings behind you for a more tailored look or fly free like Mary.

Rentrayage plaid skirt, $1,495 at Capitol

This skirt pairs great with a very wrinkled "My Favorite Murder" T-shirt.

Pistachio Green

Like purple, green is trying to oust pink for the title of favorite millennial color. And like purple, green isn't all over the place in Charlotte. Yet. Bright pops of lime and chartreuse are probably on the way, but the color most cited on fall runways was pistachio — a cool, almost pastel minty green.

Lee Matthews puff sleeve dress, $600 at Capitol

I know this is more of an army green but I had to. This is one of those items you have to get off the hanger and onto your body to appreciate, especially the sleeve detail.

Rachel Taylor fluffy coat, $795 at Poole Shop

The air conditioning was broken at Poole Shop and this coat is extra fluffy so I almost died of heatstroke in the name of fashion you're welcome.

The Kinsley dress, $62 at Girl Tribe

I'm convinced this dress would look good on every body type. Prove me wrong.

I tried it on to prove Mary wrong but her theory holds — it works for both of us. (And what do you know, the tiered mini skirt strikes again.)

The Avery Romper, $52 at Girl Tribe

Surprise! This is a romper. Yes, there are shorts under there. This is obviously a lingering summer item, but the color is what counts here. It can be made fall-appropriate with a cropped jacket and tall boots.

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