Clockwise from upper left:

1. A.L.C. mini jersey dress ($298; Intermix). A simple long-sleeve mini in the season’s most coveted color and ruching at the hem makes it extra flattering.
2. Alexander Wang “Willow Frame Messenger” ($925; Barneys NY). The messenger bag grows up with a structured, ladylike shape and sultry red hue.
3. Sam Edelman “Zachary” ($208; Lori’s Shoes). A platform bootie that looks amazing paired with tights.
4. Drape neck sweater ($100; Zara). Cozy and chic, a modern cowl neck top is appropriate for work o play.
5. Ali Ro cutout dress ($264; Cusp). Unexpected cutouts give this cocktail dress a fresh approach.
6. Dana Rebecca Designs “Samantha Elizabeth” earrings ($1,540; Dana Rebecca). Black onyx paired with super Seven Quartz make these statement earrings a justified splurge.
7. Helmut Lang shearling jacket ($1,840; net-a-porter.com). Style meets function in this edgy yet warm jacket.
8. Essie’s “Sew Psyched” nail polish ($8; Essie). A refreshing alternative to fall’s standard Bordeaux nail lacquers.

By Leslie Garry

Images courtesy of Intermix, Barneys NY, Lori’s Shoes, Zara, Cusp, Dana Rebecca, net-a-porter.com and Essie

I may not be drawn to jewelry like most women, but I still feel the need to invest in at least one accessory that carries me through the season. With fall comes the desire to tweak one’s wardrobe, and since I have worn my chunky statement rings to the bone, I’m taking a new appraoch to accessorizing. Enter: the long-chain, medallion necklace.

This belly-grazing accessory claims the spotlight for fall. The abundance of styles can cause one’s indecisiveness to surface, but whether you choose a vintage medallion, whimsical charm or a bold pendant, you can literally do no wrong in the selection and styling. Use it to dress up a t-shirt and jeans, update a little black dress or add some glam to a chunky fall knit.

Go for a sophisticated, 70′s look by combining a vintage-inspired necklace with wide-leg jeans and a silk blouse; or try piling on multiple chains for a gypsy feel. If you’re an 80’s gal, mimic Madonna with the comeback of Rosary-inspired cross. Get adventurous and even try wearing the strand backwards with a backless top or dress.   

Accessories complete a look—they’re the icing on the cake, and these long-chain, medallion necklaces make it easy to add interest to both statement-making and simplistic ensembles. This versatile piece has maintained its staying power by resurfacing for decades. Though these trinkets are housed in nearly every closet, there’s always room for expansion. Here’s some of our favorite medallion necklaces for Fall 2010.

From left to right:

1. Jennifer Tuton gold rings necklace ($196; Perchance Boutique; 3512 N Southport Avenue) 
2. Whistle necklace ($140; Cynthia Rowley; 1653 N Damen Avenue) 
3. Jules “Bijoux Pegasus Ox” layer necklace ($175; shopjules.com) 
4. Alexis Bittar starburst pendant necklace ($295; shopbop.com) 
5. AK Vintage “Isle of Earth Necklace” ($104; tobi.com)
6. Guitar necklace ($5; Forever 21)

By Maia McGinley

Images courtesy of Perchance, Cynthia Rowley, Jules, shopbop.com, tobi.com and Forever 21

Camel is a chameleon of a color that can create looks that range from military to office-chic. One of my favorite ways to wear this trend is to pair it with crisp whites or by opting for a monochromatic, head-to-toe camel-hued ensemble. Now, if you want a burst of color to jazz up such a neutral outfit, add one of the season’s beauty trends: Bordeaux nails and lips.

Indulge in the below luxurious neutral items on your next fall shopping binge.   

Clockwise from upper left:

1. APC corduroy blazer ($400; Net-a-Porter). A luxe velvet blazer to dress up your slim cargos.
2. Chloé ribbed wool skirt ($490; Nordstrom). A form fitting skirt to offset a billowy silk blouse.
3. J Brand skinny twill jeans ($111; shopbop.com). A sleek pant to go with everything.
4. Romygold biker slash tote ($585; Intermix). An edgy handbag sporting this season’s hottest hue.
5. Mackage “Bessie” hand-woven cape ($495; Perchance; 3512 N Southport Avenue). A cozy knit in a fashion-forward shape.
6. Smythe cadet coat ($995; Nordstrom). The quintessential fall coat with impeccable tailoring.

By Leslie Garry

Images courtesy of net-a-porter.com, Nordstrom, shopbop.com, Perchance boutique and Intermix

Fall is quickly approaching, and that means it’s time to once again rethink our wardrobe. One of the key ingredients—and easiest tactics—for updating a look is incorporating the season’s hottest colors. Sifting through all the minimalist neutrals, ladylike pastels and bold jewel tones on the Fall 2010 runways, two shades continuously caught our eye: heather gray and lipstick red. Though these hues aren’t exactly neighbors on the color spectrum nor are they particularly new on the scene, they’ve still got the power to wow.

Heather gray boasts a flattering neutrality and universal appeal that make it a welcomed choice for fall. From nail polish to a completely gray ensemble, this muted shade is everywhere this season. Chances are you already own some heather gray garb, but working in items with au courant shapes and cuts will be an instant wardrobe refresher.

Lipstick red, on the other hand, is a bit trickier. Some women love its vibrancy; others hate it. When worn from head-to-toe, the shade can be a bit overwhelming for paler skin tones, but when used in smaller doses, this red is a radiant jolt of color. Find pieces with lipstick red mixed into the print or one-tone basics, such as a pencil skirt, cardigan, blouse, tights, bag or flats. Such options are plentiful for fall, allowing you to add an unexpected surge of color via dramatic, versatile pieces.

By Meghan Turner

Images courtesy of Gucci, Celine, Stella McCartney and Prabal Gurung

Christina at C/FAN’s Fall 2010 Fashion Preview

New York Fashion Week kicked off last Thursday, and here in Chicago, we got a show of our own. That same evening, local designer Christina Fan debuted her fall 2010 collection to a crowd of Gen Art members, fashion insiders, and media at the Dubhe Carreño Gallery.

The artsy West Loop setting created a stark canvas on which C/FAN’s designs were presented in an edgy-meets-sultry fashion installation. Christina’s guests crammed themselves in the narrow gallery, where wine flowed, hors d’oeuvres were devoured, and a local DJ created a hip audio backdrop. Toward the rear of the gallery, a light installation of white umbrellas illuminated the presentation area and sculptures by Anne Drew Potter acted as a backdrop. Models soon appeared in sets of three, and one-by-one they walked the teeny, tiny “runway.” What was originally meant to be a typical installation turned into a pose-hold-walk routine that offered views to only those standing in the front couple rows.

If you were as lucky as I to see Christina’s designs, you were treated to a show of luxe fabrics and an earthy palette ideal for fall. The overall theme seemed to be sharp, daring cuts, including exposed midriffs, plunging necklines, asymmetrical hems, and batwing sleeves. Texture was also a key element as satiny silks, coarse goat and lamb furs, and liquidy velvets made their in and out of the installation. As Christina is known to do, the fall 2010 collection is loaded with wearable pieces that keep Chicago’s fashion sensibilities in mind, while also appealing to fearless trendsetters. “My inspiration is a woman who is carefree while still being sensual and soft,” says Christina. “She’s someone who isn’t afraid to experiment.”

This was my second encounter with C/FAN – the first was at Gen Art’s Fresh Faces last October. The fall collection maintains the same aesthetic I enjoyed then, but Christina brought the design and craftsmanship up a notch and presented some quality designs I look forward to seeing on the backs of stylish Chicagoans.

Christina Fan (center) with her models

By Meghan Turner

Photography by Tim Musho of Fig Media