Fall fashion and myths

[Storyteller.]

Fall fashion and myths
By Brittany (.Brittany.) and Katrina (AppleTini)

Hi fashionistas! Now that it's September, and many of you are going back to school for another year, you'll certainly want to be up to date with the latest fall trends, right? On that note, you may also want to be aware of the top ten fashion myths this season. According to several popular teen magazines, the back to school trends for fall 2010 look a little something like this:

Prints

Animals. Whether it is lion or zebra prints, all of them are definitely 'in' this school year. And don't just stop with black and white zebra prints, go for a wider range with a blue or grey zebra striped vest or pink and purple leopard print scarves. If it's on the market, it's on the radar for one of the hottest fashion trends this fall!

Florals. Remember when you were a kid and your mom made you wear those flower pattern dresses? We do, too, and you better break them out, because they are back in style! Try wearing them over some fishnets or funky tights. Think "classy," not trashy.

Tops

The button-down. Go tomboy in a plaid button-down, but try and mix the tomboy shirt with a nice pair of feminine jeans. The sky is the limit with what you can do with a plaid button-down, so change it up, tie it around, layer it with a belt, and go all out.

Graphic tees. These old classics are back in style! Why not go and find the perfect one for yourself. On a budget? The thrift store is usually the perfect place to start looking for a fun graphic t-shirt.

Sparkles. No, this doesn't mean you can go and dump a container of sparkles on yourself, but it does mean that glittery and sequined tops are back in style, so get yourself noticed in the hallways with these bright tops.

Dresses and Skirts

T-shirt dresses. Fashion trend-setters started wearing t-shirt dresses several months ago, and they haven't gone out of style since! The long shirts that stores have been carrying lately can work just like a t-shirt dress.

Leather mini. You can use this to replace your shorts in the late summer to early fall. Slip on some chic combat boots or a pair of stilettos in a pungent color and hit the dance floor.

Outerwear

Leather bomber. Just putting on a leather jacket, or bomber, gives any of your outfits a cool-girl feel. Layer this with something you've never thought to layer it with before, like a funky neon tube top or a lace blouse.

Over-sized cardigan. These big cardigans are back from last season in full force and will look good with any type of outfit. Experiment with layering different patterns.

Fashion myths

Now that we've gone over some fashion truths, let's talk about some fashion myths!

Colours

"Don't wear white after Labour Day." Labour day in Canada, and the United States, is on the first Monday in September. It is a economic and social celebration of workers. Everyone says that it's bad to wear white after Labour Day, but that's not true. Since September is the end of summer, and the beginning of fall, white actually looks really good. It also has a lot of different shades, and tones, which will go with anything from your fall wardrobe.

"Black looks good on everyone." People with lighter skin tones don't necessarily look good with black, as it makes them look a lot more pale and ghostly; however, people with tans can usually rock the black. If you are more fair-skinned, it's okay! Wear black, but just be sure to add some color in the mix as well.

Patterns and stripes

"Horizontal stripes make you look big." I'm sure everyone has heard that horizontal stripes make you look big, but really, they don't. If anything, horizontal stripes make you look smaller. With the optical illusion, horizontal stripes make something look taller and narrower than vertical stripes do.

"Don't mix patterns and stripes." Patterns and stripes go well together. They compliment each other, so don't let anyone else tell you differently.

Matching

"Your shoes should match your bag." Who says you have to wear matching shoes and bag? They may clash and not go well together. If you have a floral bag, then you need to find floral shoes? I think not; they certainly won't go together. Your shoes and your handbag are so far apart on the finished product (that is, you), that you don't NEED to match them to look good!

"Men's shoes should match their belts." Not a lot of people these days even wear belts, which definitely helps disprove this myth. Just as women's handbags and shoes don't have to match, men's shoes and belts don't have to, either!

Fit

"Baggy clothes is the way to go for curvier bodies" Wearing baggy clothes doesn't show any curves which might actually make you seem a lot bigger then you really are. Love your curves, and love yourself the way you are.