Fall and winter may have brought out long peacoats and trenches before, but not this year. One of the most sought-after pieces for the upcoming season will be the shrunken jacket, in a variety of styles. The difference between these new, tinier versions of your traditional autumn and winter favorites is their length; cuts are the same as traditional coats, but they hit slightly above the waist and often tie or button under the chest. The beauty of these new pieces is that they provide coverage in colder months without sacrificing sexiness or femininity.

The perfect jacket is one of the most important elements of your wardrobe, and with so many shapes and fabrics available this fall, it would be a crime to choose just one. The ever-present denim jacket is back with a new vengeance. Instead of the washes of last season or bulkiness of years before, this season’s denim jacket is soft, body-conscious and far more feminine than the traditional denim jacket. Corduroy and leather are back again, cropped and ready to be worn over anything from your favorite dress to distressed jeans.

A new take on an old favorite is safe, but take advantage on the amazing new fabrics and styles the end of the year has to offer. Brocade is big this season and some of the most sought-after new jackets are made of the rich, detailed design. Many of these brocaded, boudoir-style jackets are trimmed in rich velvet or lace piping and can be paired with tweed trousers of you favorite jeans. Many of these new jackets are cut at the hip but some are reaching even higher—cropped just below the chest (H & M). Made in rich, new fabrics like tweed and velvet, these jackets have mixed a traditionally matronly fabric with a cut and cling that makes it youthful and sexy. Even faux fur and metallic finishes are adorning the newest trend (Allen B. by Allen Schwartz).

Getting short isn’t the only new addition to a cold weather favorite. Sleeves are getting revamped this season, retro-style. Traditional coat fabrics like houndstooth are being used in a new way. Bell sleeves (think bellbottom sleeves, cut below the elbow) mix cropped length with a traditional fabric and throwback to 70s style (Banana Republic). You’ll also see a mini version of the military jacket this season; a cropped, girlie take on the long, heavy style, adorned with brass buttons and zippers (Bebe).

The beauty of these new jackets is the versatility they bring to your own style: mix them with denim, dresses, skirts and trousers. Since there isn’t one specific style or fabric that will reign this fall, all styles and sizes can take advantage of a new take on an old favorite.

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Black Denim

Black is back and bigger than ever and are appearing a darker and more elegant versions of the spring and summer fashion styles. Thicker fabrics abound with wool replacing gauze and sleeveless fashions becoming full blouses.

Denim is still as popular as ever and available in an infinite number of styles and sizes and there are many other styles brand new for this year.

Black has been brought back by designers renewing the statement that black remains chic and calling for tall boots with no showing of skin in freezing weather. Black is being seen in many fashions this fall from dresses to handbags and other accessories. The New Black offers much more choices in fabrics and styling to escape the basic black of the past.

Mix and match different fashion trends to personalize your look and add jewelry, color, and layering to create your own style.

For colors, the azures and turquoise pastels have evolved to deep teals and deep browns and rusts with burnt orange and ginger accents are must haves along with other nature colors.

A trend has begun back to the romantic era with lots of sheer blouses combined with lace, ribbon and large puffy sleeves in black, white and prints, looking perfect under fitted velvet jackets.

Full skirts have a completely new look this season combined with a fitted jacket and tall boots for a sexy romantic look.

Remember this fashion hint; combine a full item with something slim so that you don’t look sloppy.

The sexy, tall knee high boots are back this fall and are the footwear of choice with everything from skirts to gauchos. Flat heels are in this season as well.

Big oversized bags are very popular this year and are another must have for this fall season. There are many luggage sized bags, but the best is just a bit larger than normal.

Especially hot are large bags with flashy materials such as gold lame’.

Some other must haves this season are big ethnic jewelry and bold cuff bracelets, cropped pants, and military style jackets and coats as well as animal prints and fur trims.

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Claire Djuve's little draping black number

Though physically a small and cleanly laid out exhibition, The Spirit of the Black Dress was the result of bucket-loads of talent. 10 uber-impressive black dresses, each with their own unique twists, lined the room; while behind them, wall mounted, a dark and sensual portrait of each dress gave another perspective to the concept. The photographer was Christian Blanchard; a dapper young man with cheeky eyes, dishevelled hair, and a very bright future. Blanchard’s folio of ad campaigns and magazine editorials is impressive; his work on the exhibition striking, aided by superb hair and make-up by Ashleigh Richards and Carl Reeves.

By Airdrie Makim of Joolz

Each of the 10 black dresses was created especially for the exhibit by a different designer. Airdrie Makim of Joolz added vintage playing-card butterflies on long pearl strands to Claire Djuve’s little draping black number in a winning partnership. Project Runway phenomena Leigh Alexander Buchanan used asymmetrical tiers of tulle to create a voluminous and eye-catching gown. Rachael Cassar’s glints of gold were a magical touch, Nikolina Kucan’s floor-sweeping number elegant yet modern.

Alyana Eau, Andy Tsang, Kristy Barber, Michelle Czech, Noelle Kan, and Sonya Kraan rounded out the rest of the exhibition with equally beautiful work. If you have a chance to visit The Spirit of the Black Dress this week, do so; you can find it at Georges Building off Little Collins Street, Melbourne.

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Leather blazers are really in this season. When you shop for leather items, make sure you learn about the different types of leather that are available, price etc. Hi-fashion leather blazers are available in 2 button & 3-button styles. Different colors of leather used to make stylish blazers are black, brown, olive green, yellow, red, warm toned caramel, cognac, sienna and chocolate brown.

Types of leather
Leather is any tanned, toughened (yet pliable), dried, and dyed skin of an animal. Thanks to modern dyeing processes, most types of leather can be found in nearly any color. Some leathers, however, are best known for particular colors.

Buckskin: Pliable leather with a smooth finish from wild stag (deer, elk or antelope).

Chamois: Leather originally made from the Alpine chamois, a goat-like animal. Nowadays, it’s culled from sheepskin. Chamois is well regarded for its supreme softness, absorbency and light tan color. It is pronounced SHAM-wa, or parochially, SHAM-ee.

Calfskin: Leather from young cows. It’s smoother leather, but it can be roughened to create “velour leather,” or embossed with patterns and other textures. It is considered dressy and is usually found in darker shades (blacks and browns).

Cowhide: Leather from full-grown cows that is used for shoes, boots and jackets. Tough and durable, it can have a smooth or rough finish. You’ll find it in all colors, but mostly shades of brown and black.

Lizard skins: Crocodile, alligator and other lizard skins are usually limited to belts, luggage or shoes. They sport a scaly texture and a nice sheen, and can be had in shades of green, grey, red, and brown.

Pigskin: Pigskin is more commonly used in South America. It has little nap (fuzz) and is generally smooth to the touch and tan in color.

Ostrich:”exotic” leather found on belts or shoes. Ostrich resembles a plucked chicken, and as such, has a “goose bump” appearance.

Suede: Suede is created when the reverse side of calfskin is roughened to the point of extreme softness. The resultant nap almost resembles velvet. Suede goods can be had in all major colors.

Price: A good leather blazer can cost you anything between $250 to $1000. Depending on the quality of the leather, the design and the cut.

Sizes: Leather blazers come in different sizes be it long or short. Men usually wear long ones. Whereas women prefer both long and short.

Tips on how to keep the leather Blazers

Store your leather jacket either flat or on a wide, sturdy, padded hanger to prevent stretch marks. Make sure to never use a plastic cover.

Take care of the stains pronto. When in doubt take the jacket to the dry cleaner.

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