
A trip back to the ’80s, stylish evening wear and comfortable, casual attire: Fall has swept in with shorter days and a new fashion mood as Thanksgiving hovers on the horizon. In keeping with the spirit of the season, four Pacific Beach fashion gurus share their tips and insights on dressing for the season. First of all, the eighties are back – not the screaming hairdos and neon colors – but the flash and flair, said Sharon Shpigelman who owns Avril, a woman’s clothing boutique that opened four weeks ago at 1045 Garnet Ave. “Winter will be all about sequins,” Shpigelman said. “I tried to stay away from it in the beginning but it’s all I see in L.A.” Avril sells a black, baby doll dress with a wide neck, jazzed up with black-and-red sequins ($34). High silhouettes and tall, leather boots set a chic tone. Daytime bags are adorned with silver studs and zipper patterns – yes, the eighties – or tassels this season ($29-49). Jackets will be worn high on the waist or just above the knee. Shpigelman advises hanging a black cocktail dress in your closet. Who knows when the occasion will arise? Shpigelman travels to trade shows in Los Angeles every week to keep abreast of the latest fashion trends. Born in Israel, Shpigelman moved here from New York two years ago, but continues to run her boutique back East. She picks up clothes and style tips when back home, and aims to combine the edge of the East with the nonchalance of the West in her store’s collection. The entrepreneur also owns the clothing boutique, Lola, two doors down at 1047 Garnet Ave. At Lola, the Flapper look has made an appearance: white, flowing dresses with long waists ($39). Go skinny. Raw Clothing at 940 Garnet Ave. sells the coy skinny jean – soft, lightweight and skintight with the stitching details of the jean. Pair the bottoms with long and loose up above. Lightweight, tunic-shaped sweaters will cover the rear end and show off those leggings. The wide, dolman sleeves are back in style. Oversized sweaters, skinny legs: yes, the eighties have definitely infiltrated! Raw sells a soft, electric-blue sweater for $34 to stave off the chill and add color to the wardrobe. Bevan Cobb, who cherry picks the clothes for Raw, advises adding a splash of color to the outfit despite the muted colors fall brings. For a funkier look, check out Raw’s burnt-out dye tank tops ($30), which are sheer and splayed with brighter colors, like sunshine yellow with gray. Flannel shirts are popular for both men and women this fall, with their rugged, western appeal. Raw offers a gauze, fitted version for women ($32), and the quilted flannel jacket for men ($34). Cobb’s advice to shoppers is to layer for all the weather patterns of the day. “It’s fashionable but functional,” Cobb said. The male veneer: Pants will have a slimmer, straight-leg look for men this fall, said Mark Nussbaum, a South African who has owned Raw Clothing since 1992. Tailored-style pants that provide a slim look are a must for the holiday season. Raw Clothing carries Paige or Hudson cuts with prices ranging from $120 to $180. Dress shirts should not be dull and boring. Psychedelic, yes! Check out the yarn dye shirts at Raw for a different spin. The design is spun with threads, not ironed on. ’Tis the season to own a cute, holiday dress. Andria Marshall, owner of C & B Scene boutique at 3460 Ingraham St., said she has stocked her store with the unique and the gorgeous. C & B Scene boutique sells a holiday dress that juxtaposes styles: a sheer, denim bottom with a studded belt across the middle and a black, rayon top with a crisscross neckline and braided straps ($75). Aka, sexy meets rough. The Dimrs bra, a silicon nipple cover that sticks to the breast, pairs excellently with the sheer party dresses for a tasteful night ($30). Marshall assures that the bra will last for years. Asymmetrical is everywhere this season: Off-the-shoulder dresses, uneven hemlines and angled designs. Sequins are all the rage, but Marshall reminds shoppers that sequins aren’t just for the evening. All that sparkles and glitters is being sold in white, silver and platinum shades to lend itself to causal, daytime wear. Fashion this fall will be piecemeal, eclectic and creative. Shoppers are pairing retro with bohemian and adding vintage for a unique look, said Cynthia Frega who owns Cream of the Crop at 4683 Cass St. “You shouldn’t just follow the fashion magazines, otherwise you’ll look too cookie-cutter,” Frega said. While Cream of the Crop is a consignment store, it’s stocked with high-quality clothes in line with the most recent trends. Popular fall colors are purples and maize. Boots of all length are in vogue. Cynthia just sold an Italian-made pair for $37. Check out the mannequins if you need inspiration. Go for a classy fall look with a silk/wool, camel-colored Escada sweater ($43) atop Anne Taylor herringbone pants in amethyst – a deceptively deep violet color ($27). Top it off with a maize, lamb’s wool cap ($13). Choices run aplenty for outfitting for a fancy Christmas party. Check out the long evening gowns with halter necklines, adorned in sequins and beads ($89), or the faux curly lamb’s wool jacket with jeweled buttons and a Mandarin collar. Cream of the Crop is also the place to stumble upon the exquisite or unusual. Unfortunately, the tunic-shaped tapestry jacket with a Mandarin collar in the window display has already been sold. But the Cirque de Soleil shirt ($17) may still be available.
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