Trends Fall/Winter 2008

I am obsessed with boyfriend cardigans, in part because I freeze during the winter, and these extra long sweaters cover my lower back and keep me warm. They're also fashion-y and a more grownup alternative to all the hoodies I wore during my college days. Beyond that, they are sold everywhere which means you can score them at very reasonable prices, and they are incredibly versatile so you'll get plenty of wear out of them. And that makes them a great value.

Whether you like boyfriend cardis for the warmth, or you just love the look, here's some inspiration for how to wear them. Are you a fan? How do you wear yours?


A. Unbuttoned, and belted (Twelve by Twelve)
B. Unbuttoned, over a belted tunic or dress (Mossimo for Target)
C. Buttoned and belted, over leggings, with ankle boots. One of my favorite silhouettes this season. (ASOS)


D. Layered over a dress, this is a great way to winterize summer frocks. (Urban Outfitters)
E. Partially buttoned, with jeans (Simply Vera Vera Wang)
F. Layered over a crisp white blouse, and cinched with a belt, boyfriend cardigans can look polished and perfect for the office. (Marciano)

A dolman sleeve is a type of sleeve with a very large armhole and tight cuff, and they are incredibly popular for sweaters, shawls, wraps and jackets this fall. They lend themselves to comfy knits and add Eastern-style drama to what would otherwise just be a snug way to bundle-up. Nothing wrong with bundling yourself in a cocoon of warmth during frigid temperatures, but it's nice not to look like a snowman, if possible, and that's where the dolman sleeve steps in, for us at least. We became converts to this trend last winter and love the modern-hippie-folkloric vibe they sort of give an outfit, and we highly recommend you give it a try.

Finding the right silhouette for your body shape is key. While the dolman is an especially forgiving shape for large upper arms, they can swallow-up ladies with shorter torsos. Avoid turtleneck styles if you're petite, and pick thinner, drapey fabrics over chunky knits for a slimmer look. I usually layer mine over a long-sleeve, tight-fitting tissue tee that's the same hue but a different value than my dolman, ie. charcoal gray with light gray. And pick a narrow, fitted pant for your bottom half. The most current trend I'm loving is pairing your dolman sleeve top with skinny jeans or leggings and fab boots.

Get your dose of dolman sleeves with one of these affordable, fashionable finds...

Above: Dolman Cowl-Neck Sweater, also available in white, grey, black, red or raspberry, Express.com, $69.50


INC International Concepts® Belted Dolman-Sleeve Cardigan Sweater
$89.00


Free People Textured Dolman Cardigan, Tobi.com, $108


Dolman Tunic, Forever21.com, $19.80


Dolman Cardigan by Penélope & Mónica Cruz for MANGO, ref. 73212725 at mangoshop.com, $119


Dolman Sleeve Tunic, also available in brown, ShopBarbara.com, $44

Madewell, J. Crew's younger, more affordable line, has a fall/winter collection that makes me smile. If you were to give me everything in it, right now, I would be golden. I could cruise through the colder months in style and comfort. But since that's not going to happen, I have to review their looks with a more critical lens. The problem is, I've never actually been to one of their stores, so I can't attest to the quality of their clothing, and at these price points ($88 for a cardigan; $110 for skinny jeans), quality is the key factor for me in determining whether or not these duds are a good value. There's no e-commerce yet at madewell1937.com, but you can order old-school by phone.

What I love, from the images at least, are the glorious boots, the edgy takes on modern classics, and the crisp use of color. I especially love how they pair colors of the same shade but different intensity together - always a smart look. Or, pairing complementary colors such as yellow and purple to punch up neutral basics. I also love the concept of a more affordable J. Crew (I know, I need to hit the outlets!)...but Madewell is still pretty pricey. I imagine Madewell's target audience has the means to shop at either, but J. Crew needs a place to groom their future customers, and their customers need a place to start so they can graduate to J. Crew.

I know some of my readers are devoted J. Crew fans, so I look forward to hearing what you have to say about Madewell. And if anyone can comment on the quality, I'm dying to know.

Inspiration from Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth, Kate Moss and Nicole Kidman
I'm on the hunt for a black leather jacket, one of this fall's most popular trends. Unfortunately, a quality leather jacket can be expensive: Shopbop has 21 drool-worthy choices with an average price of approximately $800. I'd love to splurge and get a real nice, buttery black leather bomber that will last for years and get better with age - much like a good wine - but I really don't have the funds to fulfill that wish. I mean, that's the thing with budget fashion...most of the time, we're not being cheap, we're being frugal out of necessity. I know that sounds...depressing, but at the same time, it's really not the end of the world. There are certainly worse situations to be in than not being able to afford a chichi designer bomber, right? Which is why I can find solace in the fact that just about every fashion chain has a black leather jacket to offer me this year that will keep me in the black, money wise, while still looking fab.

Here are a few options I've found. It's tough to gauge the quality of leather or faux-leather online, so you may want to track one down in stores, or be prepared to ship it back if the quality is sub-par. But I think I've found some goodies, so here goes:


Ashton Pleather Jacket at Delias.com, $69.50


DKNYC Women's Black Lamb Leather Jacket, Was $349 Now $173.99


Mossimo Faux Leather Jacket at Target.com, $34.99


Silence & Noise Motorcycle Jacket at Urbanoutfitters.com, $128


Motorcycle Faux Leather Jacket by Bagatelle exclusively for Ann Taylor, $148


Full Tilt Moss Faux-Leather Moto Jacket at Tillys.com, $34.99

Anya Hindmarch has partnered with Target to launch a limited edition handbag collection priced from around $22. You can preview the affordable and stylish collection now at www.anyahindmarch.com, and purchase the bags there beginning October 8th. It will then be available at most Target stores from October 12 through December 26th.

I'm glad I put off purchasing a new fall handbag because this collection looks hot. I've wanted something from the English designer ever since her "I'm not a plastic bag" reusable shopping totes created a fashion tidal wave, spurring millions of fashionistas to get their own, thereby inadvertently generating even more of an ecological disaster than was caused by the plastic bags she sought to make extinct (I'm totally kidding! But it sure does make you wonder...)

Anya says, "I have always been interested in mixing high end designer pieces with more mass market finds. I think that confident women are comfortable, and even proud, of doing this." Yup, I'm sold. Are you looking forward to this line? P.S. Thanks to alert reader zeus' mom for the tip on this story!