Leather jackets can dress an outfit up or down. Courtesy of GAP
To most people, November signifies turkeys, pilgrims and pumpkin pies. To this San Diego fashion writer, however, it means something else: coats. Our desert climate allows us to catch up with the rest of the fashion world come November. And as the nighttime weather finally starts dipping into the low 40s, the real fun begins.
If you plan on investing in only one overcoat this fall, make it something that will transition easily with the weather into spring. I've made it easy for you with my top five jacket picks:
The Leather Bomber If leather jackets conjure up memories of The Fonz, you haven't been exposed to Fall 2008. Today's version is cropped, sleek and chic. It dresses up jeans, dresses down floral dresses and transitions your office outfit into one appropriate for a night out. Stick to basic, dark colors like black and brown and let the workmanship speak for itself. Go for the real deal, because while the price difference between real and fake leather is drastic, so is the quality. Krissy Heinz, co- owner of Capricorn Boutique in La Jolla, is a huge fan of the style. "It's timeless, it travels really easily and it's perfect for cool San Diego nights," she said. Vegan? No problem. Achieve the same look with a black cotton bomber.
Silence & Noise's Leather V Bomber is perfect, available at Urban Outfitters for $298.
Belted & Black A belted black coat can give you the silhouette and look you've always wanted: slim yet curvaceous, tailored yet effortless. Because this coat is so versatile, make sure it always fits right. The belt adds a tailored look, but if the sleeves are too long or bulky, the effect is ruined.
Try Gap's European Collection Belted Cargo Coat, on sale for $109.99.
A Colored Trench or Peacoat Color in coats can function somewhat neutrally. It's no longer a fashion faux pas to layer a bright red coat over a cobalt blue dress and black tights. Keep colors jewel-toned and basic. Think: your first box of Crayola crayons. That didn't have pastel blue or sea foam green in it, did it? Neither should your closet.
For a splurge, try Dolce and Gabbana's Silk Organza Trench Coat in Yellow, $3,395 at Neiman Marcus. Or, try Old Navy's more budget-friendly Pique Wool-Blend Coat in Beet Sugar for $89.50.
Anything Plaid or Tweed Gossip Girl here. Take a hint from New York's elite and add some texture to your outerwear, whether in the form of floor-dusting plaids, cropped tweeds or anything in between. These bold patterns work well with other textures and patterns as long as colors are kept in sync and trend-overload is avoided.
Try the Hanii Y Mohair Trapeze Coat, available at Net-A-Porter for $820.
Be Feminine Embrace your inner 5-year-old, the one who loved wearing anything pink. The key to making this look adult is choosing the right shade of pink. Stay away from Easter egg, bubblegum and Barbie pink. Instead, gravitate towards pinks that are barely, well, pink. Look for a shade of pink that's closer to nude. A neutral tone with just a hint of blush is extremely adaptable. On the other end of the spectrum, try show-stopping pinks like fuchsia and magenta. According to Heinz, the biggest color for coats this fall is purple, which easily adds a touch of opulence to any style.
Try Elizabeth and James' Fuchsia Car Coat, available at Neiman Marcus for $650.
Tina Safi Tina Safi is a freelance writer from Poway. She is a recent graduate of Boston University. To make comments on her stories, contact editor@delmartimes.net.
Although the Del Mar Times does not have any obligation to monitor this board, the Del Mar Times reserves the right at all times to check this board and to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to the Del Mar Times in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. The Del Mar Times also reserves the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions. All threats to systems or site infrastructure shall be assumed genuine in nature and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Submission of any comments will be considered permission to use online or in print.
