Favorite Looks: F/W '18-19 Trends - Prairie

With fashion month just ending (all I want to know is where the blink does the time go?! Slow..dooown, Universe, blast you!) , I wanted to squeeze in one last look from Winter before we’re inundated with all the newness that is Spring/Summer ’19 :). Designers are still drawing inspiration from the 70s and the dark florals of the past few seasons took on an Americana nuance, creating an intriguing dark-bohemian vibe.  The cornerstone of the look is a saturated print. Florals are perfect for creating this vibe, but paisleys will do nicely as well. Top a flowy dress with a faux fur jacket (a classic denim jacket is a perfect alternative that ups the Western feel) and finish the look with chunky-heeled ankle boots. I’ve pulled the lighter tones out of the print here to give this look a lighter, looking-toward-spring aesthetic, but if you’re still feeling wintry, consider working with your print’s deeper tones instead.  For this piece, I’d be thinking a black denim jacket and burgundy suede ankle boots, or a gray corduroy blazer and black booties. If you’re starting with a skirt, pair it with a 70s-leaning simple, slim turtleneck in a neutral shade. Add a suede blazer (velvet or of-the-moment corduroy works too!) and low, studded booties (Western style boots totally encouraged!). I often gravitate to cool blacks and grays with warm, rich red-tone prints like this one, but here I chose to enhance the vintage vibe by adding equally warm tan and caramel tones. If you’re a fan of golden, vintage yellows, definitely consider working those into this color story as well.  If your print comes in blouse form, pair it with denim (straight cuts work, just-back-on-fashion’s-radar bootcut works, flares work. Skip the skinnies if you’re going for authentic 70s. If you’re craving a modern twist on the 70s, skinnies are 100% allowed  :)). Lean toward blue denim to help create the Americana vibe. Top the look with a maxi cardigan or a drapey duster  - bias toward  easy, soft fabrics like knits, chenille or velvet  over stiffer woven cottons with a trench-coat feel. Again, finish with low or chunky-heeled ankle booties (if you’ve gone with the skinny jean option above, tuck them in to your boots, all others: tuck out :)). Play up the decade reference by drawing on the warmest, most saturated hues in your print: burgundy and oxblood, dusty olive and deep leaf greens, burnt or rich orange tones, golden yellows, tan, chocolate. PS if you are feisty enough to have floral print pants in your closet, swapping them in for the denim and going with a solid shirt (bonus points for silk!) is a flawless take as well. Happy styling, loves!