The Fall Fashion Splurge
by Lisa Siegel

Resist the Urge to Splurge
While few of us need a reason for shopping, you need not bust the family budget when it comes to shopping for a new season’s wardrobe. Stay with tried and true pieces. Dark pants and boot cut jeans from last season will still wear well this fall. The good news is that those camisoles and tank tops you have been wearing all summer can be transitioned to fall as layered pieces underneath long shirts and shirt jackets. Also this season encourages mixing of textures and colors. Fashion gurus recommend pairing classic texture with edgy accessories; dark browns with vivid blues and pinks. Don’t cull your closet of all of last year’s garments. Consider carefully what you have so that you can make the right choice on a few new fall items. But if you must splurge, here are some ideas.

Number One Splurge Item: Boots
If you must splurge, do it on boots. Boots are typically a high-ticket item, and this year more styles are available to tempt your pocket book. You have your choice of lace-ups, slouched suede, riding flats, ankle boots or stacked heels to name a few. Boots look great with dark jeans, but they can also show your style underneath a gauzy skirt, deep textured full skirt or a wrap dress. Almost any boot style can be dressed up or dressed down which makes a pair of boots a very versatile purchase. Go for it!

Number Two Splurge Item: Silks and Shawls
A less expensive, but equally appealing splurge item is the silk shirt. These shirts may be worn over camisoles and tanks and either tied at the waist or worn loose and unbuttoned. Look for dupioni silk or silk georgette. Fall colors are always rich and radiant, but this season is bursting with sienna, ginger and pomegranate. Decorative silks are adorned with delicate beading, velvet burnouts, intricate sequins and tailored embroidery. When the temperature drops even further, add a richly colored wool shawl instead of the usual overcoat.

Low Budget Splurge Item: Costume Jewelry
Fall jewelry tends to be heavier than summer jewelry. Splurge on easy pieces like glass or acrylic bead necklaces in rich fall colors that will blend with your new silk shirt. If money is burning a hole in your pocket, go for the genuine turquoise. Otherwise, faux turquoise makes a nice statement as well. Faux platinum and silver drop earrings with a matching loop bracelet and necklace will be standard wear all season. Interweaving hoops and loops in symmetrical circles or asymmetrical ovals make for an interesting compliment to any of your fashion pieces.

Final Splurge Call: It May Be Time for a New Soccer Mom Wardrobe
Fall brings most moms back to football games and afternoon soccer practice. Whether you are a soccer mom, a football mom or just tossing a Frisbee in the park kind of mom, you may need to take a long hard look at your “soccer mom” wardrobe and give it the overhaul it needs. Styling soccer moms are wearing clothes that are “cozy chic.” Pair those favorite jeans with a fitted long sleeve tee shirt in waffle weave fabric for total comfort. Go for easy comfort with a pair of slip on athletic clogs for early fall. When an October chill sets in, layer you tee with a Shetland wool v-neck sweater or a collared wool cardigan. By the time you are cheering at the end of season game, you’ll need a quilted jacket in water resistant fabric, water resistant leather ankle boots and a micro fiber vinyl travel bag. Overhaul that outdated wardrobe and you’ll be the fashion MVP. Happy Shopping!

Lisa Siegel, Writer
Lisa lives in Atlanta, GA and is a "Totally Mom" to two school aged boys.