Desi Diva

By Rupa Gawle

Fall Fashion Guide

Check out the latest in skinny pants, leopard prints and ballet flats.

Seems like every time the trees change their looks, so do we. Now that autumn is here, gone are the gauzy chiffons that kept us cool in the summer heat—it’s back to sweaters and jackets. Before you think any old outfit will do, check out ABCDlady’s fall fashion overview to get a head start on the latest and greatest for fall.

Junglee Girl
Nothing is more flattering on brown skin than shades of dark brown, which are found in several animal prints and are one of fall’s sexiest looks. To really make people roar, throw on leopard print—it’ll warm South Asian skin tones better than black and white zebra print.

Remember, the key to wearing an animal print is to keep it as your statement piece, whether it’s a blouse, dress, shoe or bag—wearing any more will make you look like Tarzan. For a touch of class, try an animal print in chiffon or a thick knit fabric, like a cardigan sweater—it’s girly and fierce at the same time.

80s Revival
The 80s are back, and this time it’s for real. This means you can relive your youth—but with way more sex appeal. To get on the 80s fast track, race toward these two items: skinny pants and leggings.

Leggings are the easier of the two to wear, and if you forget how, any vintage Madonna video can jog your memory. Try them under mini-skirts for a current look, or to go retro, wear them with long tunics, off-the-shoulder sweaters and large braided belts. Just a word of caution: Stay away from colored or printed leggings, which—let’s be honest—weren’t great looks in the first place.

Skinny pants are one of the hottest trends this season, but wouldn’t you know it—they aren’t universally flattering. Drainpipe pants look best accentuating an already boyish and elongated figure. Curvier women among us should steer clear of this trend, or try pairing them with a knee-length dress and flats. For the rest of you, consider skinny pants the new denim: They look great with almost any top, from a sleek black turtleneck to a sparkling kurti.

Shoes News
Peek-a-boo shoes are all the rage this fall—and they’re not your grandma’s shoes anymore. Tall platform wedges and saucy pumps with peep toes are both sexy and elegant and the perfect complement to this season’s trends. Peep toes are versatile—they work under pants, skirts and dresses—but solely summer salon-goers be warned: a pedicure is a must to get away with this look. Try peep toes under this season’s full skirts to add some oomph to your look.

Fall wouldn’t be complete without boots, and this season, ankle boots are the name of the game. The safest bet is to pair them with pants—straight-legged are the best—to keep your legs looking lithe. Ankle boots can be worn with a skirt, but like skinny pants, it’s a look that comes with prerequisites: long-limbed hipsters might do best with this combo.

Meanwhile, for all the girls who don’t need a heel to feel fabulous, another big trend that continues is ballerina flats. Never mind the sheer relief for our feet; ballet flats make for fantastic weekend shoes—walking in them is a breeze, and the dressier versions are a no-fuss way to go from afternoon to evening.

Rupa Gawle is a Portfolio Manager for a major cosmetic company by day and a fashionista by night. She lives and breathes New York City and expresses her passions on her blog http://janeofalltrades.verveblogs.com/.

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