For a fall fashion overview, I visited Carly’z Craze at 472 Cedar Lane in Teaneck, and Flair at Brookhaven Mall in Passaic. The soft pastels of summer are being replaced by bright bold colors and muted fall tones. The tiers of ruffles are starting to disappear with perhaps one or two instead of several rows. Patterns and florals are still big but the effect is less cotton candy and more rosy apple. And, at the other end, monochrome is still big with matching skirt and sweater sets that can also be used to mix and match with other wardrobe pieces. Look for rich tones like merlot and teal. Green is big this year. Black-and-white will always be popular.
Carly’z Craze has a full selection of outfits for the holidays, Shabbos, work and casual wear. Alene Brodsky Bloom is loving belted shirtwaist dresses in satin, silky material that can be dressed up or down. She has them in lots of patterns and solids. Faux leather adds a little warmth for these transitional cool nights. Wear a faux leather wrap skirt with a nice sweater.
And speaking of sweaters, Carly’z Craze has sweaters in bold stripes, solids and prints. Brodsky Bloom loves the beautiful patterns of YAL; she calls their line “artwork on a sweater.” Slip dresses and skirts are ultra feminine and comfortable. The Point line has dresses in two lengths, to the knee and maxi, in teal, midnight navy and merlot. A mock turtleneck print can be worn underneath or wear a chunky sweater over a slip dress. Two-piece outfits let you look very together and you can mix and match for a new look. Daniella Faye has a striped two-piece top and skirt that moves when you do, creating a soft, swirling effect.
In casual wear, Brodsky Bloom raved about Daniella Faye’s sweatshirt dress. “When you touch this, you don’t want to let go, that’s how soft it is,” she said. Cargo pockets on skirts are big for both women and girls in a variety of materials, from blue denim to khaki to silky beige. The same trends show up in clothes for girls. Dresses and skirts have more subdued patterns and ruffles. Muted fall colors are big but there’s always room for every shade of pink.
Flair in Passaic has casual to simcha wear for women and juniors. Lots of greens are showing here also, including a beautiful emerald green lace dress. Knitwear is always a good choice for cool weather. A rich burnt sienna belted knit dress caught my eye; it would look just as good with pumps, flats or boots. I saw two-piece sets in silky floral prints and knit sweater and skirt combinations that can be worn on those coveted sunny days in fall or the cooler days of winter. For juniors, Flair has a beautiful dress with a black base and hot pink flowers with an overlay of tulle. On the more casual side, a black denim skirt and a ribbed mauve sweater made a great duo.
With about a week until Rosh Hashanah, there’s still time to treat yourself to a new outfit or two for the holidays and the cool autumn days that will be here soon.
Bracha Schwartz is special sections editor at The Jewish Link.
