The Ins and Outs of Fall 2006

Now that it is officially fall and milder weather is moving in, it’s time to reassess the wardrobe, or just plain “assess,” as my mom would say. “David, why don’t you go ‘assess’ the contents of the fridge?” she’ll tell him, hoping he’ll throw out some three-day old tuna salad to make room for tomorrow night’s London broil. Similarly, it’s time to separate the tuna salad from the beef, so to speak. Therefore, I asked readers and friends to contribute to a list of unofficial ins and outs for fall style. Not everyone agreed, particularly on the painful subject of leggings, but many seemed to think this season would bring darker colors, military-inspired jackets, pencil skirts and red lips, perhaps calling to mind old-time USO performers or pinup girls. And while “boho” may be on its way out, minidresses and babydoll dresses (a la Twiggy or Edie, not Courtney Love) seem to be surfacing, too. Read on and embrace your femininity, soldiers!

IN
Tousled hair/loose waves
Flats, ballet and pointy-toed (yep, they’re still around)
Wedges
Pumps, round and peep-toed
Pencil skirts (in tweeds, plaids, wool, etc.)
“True waist" belts
Tights, especially worn with contrasting footwear (think mod)
Slouchy boots
Big buttons
Patent leather
The "industrial" look
Military-inspired, army green jackets and skirts
Navy coats
Big, flouncy skirts
Red lipstick
Hi-top Chucks
Green, navy blue, purple
Plaid
Gold jewelry
Suede shoes
Skinny jeans
Mini/babydoll dresses
Mary janes and T-strap shoes


OUT
Flat hair and flatirons
Extensions(!)
Sleeveless turtlenecks
Cowel-neck shirts and sweaters
Low-slung, woven belts
Pointy-toed, stiletto boots
Shoes with freakin’ bows on them
Metallic/lamé accessories (except for shoes)
Leggings (no exceptions!)
Really chunky platform shoes. (I don’t understand why Steve Madden tried to bring them back, see photo)
Cut-off denim skirts
Bubble skirts
Any kind of cropped pants (someone even ruled out pants altogether!)
Cowboy boots
Wooden/chunky plastic jewelry
Uggs (can’t believe it has to be said at this point)
That weird, teased/pulled-back bangs alien-head, ponytail thing