MOUNT VERNON — In the fashion world this fall, the news is about color.
At Peebles in Mount Vernon, store manager Jaime Crawford said new and vibrant colors are the biggest fall fashion feature.
“The newest thing is argyle and saturated, deep colors,” said Crawford. “It seems this fall has deeper colors than ever before.”
Oranges, golds and browns are still popular fall choices, but this season will also see women wearing deep and vibrant shades of purple, blue and green.
At JCPenney, store manager Darlene Ward said purples and reds are popular, as well as the classic gray tones.
Jean Wyatt of The Weather Vane said the aqua and brown combination remains popular, and that she has many items in shades of gray accented with plum, as well as that everlasting Ohio tradition, red and gray.
“Black, white and red are always popular,” said Adri Trace, co-manager of Fashion Bug. “They never go out of style. But this year, we’re seeing plum shades, too.”
Fashion Bug store associate Natalie Groff said green and turquoise are also popular this fall.
But what the store personnel find most striking about this year’s fall fashions is the throwback to the 1980s.
“It’s totally retro,” said Tish Cassells, store visual at Peebles.
Stephanie Kollar, visual at JCPenney, said the “long look” of the 1980s is back.
“You have the longer belted tops,” she said.
“And the long tunic styles,” added Ward. “Long style is the theme.”
“Definitely the ’80s,” said Trace. “Big plastic earrings, bell sleeves, cinching at the waist, cowl necklines, vests, tunics over tights, tent and sweater dresses.”
Trace also has a warning about going overboard with the retro theme.
“Don’t overdo the ’80s,” she said. “Absolutely not. You have to separate things, not go all ’80s. That’s too much. The girls love it ... that this stuff is coming back. I’m not so sure. But as long as the ’80s hairdos don’t come back, I think I’ll be OK.”
Wyatt said she makes a point of stocking classically cut trousers, jackets and skirts, as well as fun, retro fashions for the younger set.
Cassells noted Peebles’ new denim trouser display.
“That’s the big thing this fall,” she said.
“They’re slacks, almost,” added Crawford, “but in a denim material, with slightly wider legs. And nice details like buttons, pinstriping, stitching and pockets.”
The layered look continues to be popular for fall: Dresses over skinny-leg jeans, short-sleeved sweaters over turtlenecks, jackets with three-quarter-length sleeves over long-sleeved shirts in contrasting colors, jackets over vests over blouses. Those who don’t want to wear so many layers at once get some help from manufacturers who create tops with sewn-in layers such as collar and cuffs, said Trace, so that a sweater only appears to have a blouse beneath.
What Crawford called “rock ‘n roll” styled clothing remains wildly popular among the junior-sized set.
“There are rock T’s with big graphics, metallics, guitars ... almost like the ’80s,” she said.
Fashion Bug even carries the Fender Guitar Co. brand line of clothing, with hoodies, T-shirts, jackets and more, all in rock ‘n roll and guitar patterns.
