Fashion Ideas for Fall

Hello everyone.
With September just around the corner, the mornings and evenings in what was scorching hot Tokyo are now becoming cooler and easier to bear. Fall is approaching. Even with Lolita fashion, items from the fall collection begin to line the stores from mid-August, and reservation for winter coats begin. During this time, your mind may be fixed on the new jackets and boots in store, but as it is still a little too hot, wearing these items will have to wait. To prepare yourself for the coming fall season, you can begin with experimenting with colors and finding items that will see you through the remaining summer months as well as the fall season.

Colors and Patterns for Fall

While there are colors such as white, black and pink that can be enjoyed throughout the year, colors associated with fall are often deep warm colors that make you think of ripened fruits and falling leaves. I have already mentioned colors in the second lesson, however here I would like to concentrate on the classic colors and patterns for fall. For the basics on color coordination, please see lesson two.

Bordeaux

This red color, resembling mature wine is a quintessential color of fall, and exudes the elegance of a queen. In Lolita fashion, Bordeaux will make your outfit look all the more luxurious. When worn as part of your main outfit, coordinating it with a white top will make you look bright and graceful, while matching it with black will give you a refined, bewitching style. In fall wearing it with cream with achieve a lovely classical style. With accessories, choose black, brown or red, depending on the color of your top.

Brown

This is another classic color for fall. It is also an excellent color to accentuate your outfit during this transition time when the season is switching over from summer to fall. For example if you are wearing an all white outfit, complementing the look with brown accessories and shoes will set you up for the fall season. If wearing brown as a main item, why not coordinate it with cream or beige for a "milk tea" like color graduation? The chic "black and brown" or the romantic pale pink or rose with brown are also excellent choices.

Purple

Although not hugely popular, purple is a color that always crops up during this season. Pale lavender is romantic, while darker plums or violets give you a mature and chic look. If you feel a white or black blouse doesn't quite work with your purple item, try cutsew tops or knitwear which are available in a range of different colors. For example pinks, roses, ivory or grays in a similar shade will look pretty.

Tartan Checks

This traditional pattern is one that you must try during the fall season. Why not wear it with a beret hat to achieve the "cultured lady" look? The classic colors are red, beige and navy amongst others. Match your tartan item with a color that is the same (or the same color group) as the base color of the tartan pattern, otherwise white or black always does the trick. As it is an eye catching pattern, be careful not to look cluttered by wearing it with too many other patterns.

Houndstooth

This is a pattern that decorates the "Miss Dior" perfume bottle. It is a classically elegant design that is reminiscent of the movie stars of the past. Fine houndstooth patterns look sweet and refined, while larger patterns will look vivid and cute. As with the tartan, coordinating it with the base color or the color of the pattern would look great, however as it is a basically monotone design, wearing an accessory in a completely different color as an accent to your outfit would look fabulous too.

Gobelin

More accurately it is a type of material rather than a pattern, but I would like to talk about it here as a beautiful design on its own right. In Japan, this type of thick material with a pattern woven into the material using colored thread is called the "Gobelin weave" after the Gobelin factory in Paris where this fabric originates. In recent years, this pattern is seen less frequently in Lolita fashion, however there are many Lolitas (especially classical and elegant Lolitas) who still love the Gobelin, so I thought it should be mentioned here. Brands that create their own fabrics may offer this pattern in a range of different colors with different motifs, however the most classic colors are grey and beige. There are also fabrics that are not woven in with the Gobelin pattern but are adorned with prints in a Gobelin style. To make the most of this gorgeous pattern, wear it with subdued colors.

Items you can wear right now and through to fall

Items such as coats and boots that are more suitable for the cooler seasons shall be reserve until the next lesson. For now, let me talk a little bit about items you can wear right now. With footwear, to ease the transition from summery sandals to long length winter boots, why not accentuate a simple outfit with a pair of patterned or colored tights? If it is still too hot for tights, you can wear over-the-knee socks to make it appear as if you are wearing tights.
Next think of light cardigans. It may be too early for coats and jackets, however short sleeves may seem a little lacking during this time. Having a cardigan you can take on and off will allow you to enjoy a wide range of coordinating choices. For those who wear dresses and jumper skirts a lot, a bolero is great too. Casual Lolitas won't go wrong with a cute parka either. In each case chose a design and color that is not too over powering and that suits a wide range of outfits.
Other than cardigans, with tops, long sleeved blouses and cutsew tops are recommended. The basic designs do not change from the basic styles available all year round, but once we are passed the stuffy hot season, wearing standing collars or high-neck designs is a great idea. When your neck is covered, you will feel warm without wearing layers, and you can also achieve that fall season look. Long t-shirts are an option for casual Lolitas. Wear it with a light skirt for an energetic style even in fall.
Lastly, adding a bit of the fall season to your outfit using accessories is an excellent idea. For example, hair accessories decorated with kitted fabric or bags adorned with fake fur... With jewelry, transparent materials were great for the spring/summer season, however luxurious looking pearls and cameo are better for fall.

Perfecting your style during this period when the seasons are in transition is probably more difficult than any other time. However I believe the breezy fall season is ideal for Lolita fashion, as layering items is an important factor. Use your imagination and sense of style to get through this difficult season, and you will be rewarded with winter, where you can wear those gorgeous and luxurious coats! There are probably some of you who are already looking into your coat for this season. The excitements (and worries) of fashion is prevalent throughout the year it seems! Farewell until next time.