After the summer style of short shorts and tank tops, fashion designers are focusing on long jackets and long pants for the fall season, inspired by ‘50s-style dress. Pencil skirts and curve-hugging attire, as well as wrap sweaters and skirts, will accompany the long style of clothing.
Animal prints, faux furs and bold colors are the other big incoming clothing trends. Wearing more color will also be an acceptable fashion statement, especially gold. An interesting trend that is appearing is menswear-inspired suiting and outwear, according to style.com.
The romper, or one-piece outfits that some female students wear during these last few weeks of warm weather, is sure to be designed in a long-panted version for the fall, Julie Montag, a senior fashion design major, said.
Other new incoming trends include military-inspired tailoring, natural silhouettes that reach more than one body type and "high street" fashion looks, Trenton Bush, instructor of fashion merchandising and fashion design, said. Instead of minimal clothing for fall fashion, the latest trend is excess layers, according to style.com.
As for shoes, knee-high boots with a chunkier heel than in past years will also be "in," Bush said.
Continuing trends such as natural and organic fibers as well as the favorite American style of denim will stay in style for the fall.
Great deals
Fashion merchandising majors at Ball State are constantly keeping up with the latest fashions and styles by designing clothes and making patterns. Junior Rebecca Hankel said she and her peers figure out how to sell their clothing that they make and promote themselves.
For those who want to wear the new trends without making the outfits themselves, there are many local store options to stay trendy. Hankel suggests Muncie Mall stores such as Rue 21 and Body Central. They sell clothes for evening-wear and party clothes, not your typical T-shirt and sweats, she said.
For college students who are on a budget, Bush said discount stores can be very helpful.
"Stores like Target and even Walmart have been in collaboration with designers to bring a more fashion savvy look for their customers," he said.
Fashion students have also relied on discount stores to inspire some of their fashion.
"Some [fashion major] girls go to vintage shops and bring back the older clothing like from Goodwill and bring back something out of the ordinary," Hankel said.
Montag suggests Kohl's and Plato's Closet for up-to-date looks without the high prices.
However, if you are willing to drive a longer distance to shop, there is the Mounds Mall in Anderson and Keystone at the Crossing, Castleton, Greenwood Mall and Circle Center Mall in Indianapolis. Chicago is a day trip away for the fashion frenzies, Bush said.
For those not willing to travel for their fashion, online shopping has also boomed in recent years.
"Online shopping is becoming more and more user friendly and secure," Bush said.
A new trend with fashion is called "Swap and Shop," where groups of people get together with friends and exchange clothes they do not wear anymore.
"This is cool because it increases social behavior, sustainability, and can work well if you are on a budget," Bush said.
This new trend is great for college students to create a new wardrobe without spending the money for new clothes, he said.
Simple tips
For those who do not want to change their entire wardrobe to fit the upcoming trends, there are other ways to have fall style.
"Accessorize, go with fall colors: oranges, reds, browns," Montag said. "Wear a scarf to dress up a shirt."
Boots are popular right now and will continue into the fall season, she said.
Bush said he agrees that accessorizing is the best way to change up your wardrobe.
"It is a great way to inexpensively dress up or restyle basics, and to add your own personal style to a look that can be achieved without spending huge amounts of money," he said.
Wearing clothes outside of the ordinary is also a good fashion idea, Hankel said.
"Wear what you would normally not wear," she said. "Try to stand out and maybe people will follow. Mix and match and try new things."
Bush also suggests keeping fall styles fun by wearing bold colors and prints.
"Self expression is key," he said.
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