Local magazine article on fall fashion trends that I researched and wrote.

1. fall style
Shopping Walnut Creek for Fall’s Hottest Fashions
by Deborah Burstyn
Photography by Mike Thompson
R
ight now fashion pops decades of influences into a
blender and pours out gorgeous results. Fall designs
play with volume and proportion. Look for boxier
jackets, belted coats, full skirts, pencil skirts, bell sleeves
and wide-leg pants. Hemlines are up in foxy mini lengths
and short balloon shapes and down in flowing bohemian
dresses and maxi coats. We’ve talked with some of the
top fashionistas in town-from representatives of big box
retailers to jewel box boutique owners-to ferret out the
most fabulous fall finds in Walnut Creek.
“Folk-romantic, sleek and sporty, tailored retro and arty
bohemian are all looks that inspired this season,” said
Jennifer Uglialaro from H & M’s New York office. “Mix a
couple of styles or go in all directions. That’s the way to
make fashion work this fall. Global folk culture and the
art world are important influences this year.”
According to Gregg Andrews, Nordstrom fashion and
creative director, general themes reference the ‘40s
(standout shoulders), the ‘50s (highlighting the waist) and
the ‘60s (swingy go-go shapes). “These are the influences
from the decades that merge together,” said Andrews.
But South Main Street is not South Market Street. “We
don’t dress like San Francisco here in Walnut Creek,”
says Joan Wray, a longtime sales associate with the classic
boutique Alexis H.
“Our climate dictates
what we wear.” Wray,
Ellen Emold and
Alexis H owner Marie
Krumland outfit many
of Walnut Creek’s most
prominent female
citizens including
Mayor Gwen Regalia
and former mayors
Sue Rainey and Kathy
Hicks. Their hot –
or shall we say cool
- pick for fall? A
breathable bamboo
sweater by Blue Ice
(available in muted
abstract and animal
Neda Whitney, mother of six year old twins, Joan Wray in fall look from
pri