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From Uptown To Downtown
The latest looks in fall fashion
Story by Melissa Palmer
Photos by Holly Carlyle

When French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy made an entrance last March at a London luncheon dressed in a double-breasted, violet Dior trench worn over a gray wool pantsuit, fashionistas the world over swooned in a heliotrope-induced haze. Fast forward to today, and the color purple – from the palest lilac to an intense, velvety plum – is the hottest color of the season.

“Berry colors are everywhere for fall,” says Britt McQuire, manager at downtown’s upscale boutique Bellissima. “Especially purples; they look just beautiful with traditional fall colors like gray and brown.”

Temperatures may still seem summery in Bakersfield, but fall fabrics and shapes are already appearing in the most fashionable stores in town. Lori Malkin, owner of sister boutiques Christine’s and LoLo’s in the Stockdale Fashion Plaza, agrees that vibrant, rich colors paired with classic neutrals will define the season’s most popular trends. Malkin pulls out a Michael Kors glen plaid wool sheath in charcoal that, with its simple lines and tailored proportions, “looks like something Jackie Kennedy might have worn.” Paired with a satiny vermilion cropped jacket with tabbed bubble sleeves by Teri Jon’s JON Sportswear ($294), the look is sleek, professional and thoroughly modern.

From simple shapes to elaborate layering techniques, the juxtaposition of style trends from past and present will be popping up on this season’s snappiest dressers. “Think glamorous – like satiny fabrics with beautiful detailing – like you might have seen in Hollywood in the ‘40s and ‘50s,” says Miss Holiday owner Shelly Palla. She pulls out a grey Nu Collective v-neck top with bow ($169) that has a silver sheen in the diffused light of her Hageman Road boutique. “You can wear this under a jacket during the day and change into  a pair of straight-legged Joe’s Jeans ($169) and some satin heels at night.”

As the weather begins to cool, fall coats in every color and shape will make an appearance, and this season you’ll be seeing a lot of fitted, cropped blazers, edgy black biker jackets, and stylish, belted trenches. Palla believes that jackets lend polish to an outfit and a softer, more feminine silhouette can make it easier to transition your look from casual to work wear. She loves Rebecca Taylor’s inky blue wool and angora peplum jacket ($425), which is detailed with unique pyramid-shaped buttons on the placket and cuffs. Another favorite look is a Nanette Lepore ruched pencil skirt in black ($295) with a Rebecca Taylor white chiffon blouse ($250) that balances the roomier top with a high waist and narrow streamlined profile below.

Over at Christine’s, Malkin is also carrying coats that make a statement, including belted animal print trenches from People Like Frank ($482) and Think Tank ($170). “Tucking boots into jeans is definitely a hot look for fall, so with a great pair of David Kahn dark wash trouser jeans ($160) and a sexy pair of high heeled boots, bold jackets like these really let you carry off a fun, sophisticated look,” she says.

McQuire mentions that there is one piece that just cannot be overlooked. “Don’t forget sweater dresses,” she says, pulling out 525 America’s chunky popcorn knee-length knit in oatmeal ($118). She suggests dressing it up with tights and boots, or contrasting leggings and a ballet flat. “The 1980s are back!” McQuire says with a laugh.

Denim is a seasonless trend for both men and women, particularly in a jeans-friendly city like Bakersfield. Although premium denim is difficult to find locally for men, Guilty, an upscale men’s boutique located inside House of Moseley on Chester Avenue, carries brands like 7 Diamonds, 7 For All Mankind and Paper Denim & Cloth for Bakersfield’s young and fashion-conscious guys. Owner Alexis Valpredo says that she’s keeping shirt colors light for fall – olive greens, lighter blues – as well as the more traditional colors like black and chocolate brown.

A final word of seasonable advice for fashionistas? Forget the rules that define what colors are wearable together. Go ahead and put those mustard leggings under that gorgeous purple dress, and throw on a killer pair of forest green high-heeled oxfords to boot. Why not? Style is about finding what makes you feel good, and color – in the rich, satiny fabrics of fall – can make you feel like a million bucks. As “What Not To Wear’s” Stacy London says, “they don’t match. They go.”