Seattleites are not only independent thinkers, we're pretty savvy shoppers. We keep our eye on the trends, but we don't always follow them. After all, a trend is usually just a style revisited from a previous decade. And if it didn't work for us then, it probably won't work for us now.
We understand that fashion is fickle, so when a trend saunters in from New York or Los Angeles, we ask ourselves a few questions: Is it fashionable without being fussy? Does it fit our lifestyle, as well as our budget? And is it as at home at the office as it is at our favorite restaurant?
These days, you can also color us happy if our favorite skirt, jacket or handbag is "green" -- and if it's affordable. We know that's a lot to ask, but with so many great local stores and boutiques, it gets easier every year to find clothes that meet our high standards.
To find a handful of fall trends that will appeal to the laid-back, eco-conscious and stylish tastes of Seattle shoppers, I scoured the city's retail landscape with these requirements in mind. Read on to learn what I found.
Straight dark denim jeans
A nice pair of jeans is a must in this town, since you can wear them almost anywhere, including the office and the opera. This season, look for dark denim with a classic straight leg. Flattering for most body types, this style is a welcome relief from the extremes of wide and skinny.
Find your perfect fit at Mario's [0], where the store's in-house denim specialist (ask for Andrea Lund, one of the city's friendliest and most cooperative retail associates) will send you into the dressing room with just the right jeans for your shape. And once you've found the perfect pair, Mario's will tailor them for free, which makes the high price of today's jeans much easier to swallow. Mario's carries the dark wash "Harlan" jean from Earnest Sewn ($178), a brand known for impeccable workmanship and attention to detail.
If it's eco-friendly denim you seek, the organic "Rowan Boyfriend" jean from Del Forte denim ($172) is available at Echo Road [1], a private shopping venue in Ballard. Kobo at Higo [1] in the International District features premium Japanese denim from Wahoo ($160-$185). "Hunter" jeans from James Jeans ($170) are available at Tweed [1] in Greenwood, in sizes up to a generous size 34, and Pink Ginger [1] in Queen Anne carries vintage-cut dark denim jeans from Mu ($110) in sizes up to 16.
The designers at ProportionofBlu use mathematical principles in their designs to ensure a perfect fit on almost every body. Their jeans ($210) are available at Merge [1] in Fremont. And who better than Levi's to bring shoppers affordable denim? You can't go wrong with the classic 501 Boyfriend Cut jeans ($68) at the Levi's Store [1] Downtown.
Vibrant reds and purples
Fight the gray days of a Northwest fall with a pop of brilliant purple or red, the season's smartest colors. One key piece does wonders to jazz up your wardrobe -- and brighten your mood.
Sweetie [1] in West Seattle offers a rich plum sleeveless ruffle-front top from Bordeaux ($115). Pair it with a fitted blazer for a peek of color. An economically friendly way to capture this trend is with a casual tunic in bright purple from Sweet Poison ($53), available at Momo [1] in the International District.
Tulip [1] offers a rich red silk charmeuse Porter Grey T-shirt ($256) with elbow length sleeves and a slight boat neck that is sophisticated and luxurious. The "Pleated Tee Dress" from Feral Childe ($235) at Last Waltz [1] features a hand-drawn red-and-purple plaid fabric and accordion-pleat details.
Wear claret from neck to knee with the "Ballard" coat from Suzabelle ($310), available at Les Amis [1] in Fremont. Then sling on the "Fremont" bag from Alchemy Goods, which comes in red or purple and is made from 93 percent recycled vinyl signage ($48 at Echo Road [2]).
I love the quirky "Tacy" from Glory Chen ($268) at Clementine [2]. It's not quite a boot and not quite a shoe, but you'll quickly find a way to make this purple "shootie" work with everything.
Western-inspired wear
Go west, girlfriend, and update your closet with some new and not-so-new takes on classic cowboy style. After all, Seattle was a frontier town, and some of that renegade attitude is with us still today.
The long-sleeved "Mary Tyler Shirtdress" from 3J Workshop ($230 at Hip Zephyr [2]) is reminiscent of a vintage Western shirt and features a yoked front and a tie at the waist. The organic cotton "Solano Tunic" from Loyale ($172 at Echo Road [3]) has an empire waist and comes in folksy black-and-white gingham. Pair it with jeans and boots for an understated nod to the Old West.
Violette [3] owner Beth Nielsen designs an eco-friendly line called Vintage Creations, which she sells at her Pioneer Square shop. Using only vintage and reclaimed fabrics, her fall line features the frontier-inspired Bib Front dress ($198).
Horseshoe [3] carries the organic cotton fleece "Cloak Hoodie," which incorporates subtle Western-style touches like contrast stitching and a generous hood ($238). From Anthropologie [3] comes a red silk and cotton "Gingham Blouse" ($128) from Splendid that features a loopy bow tied at the neck.
If you're looking for a more classic Western style, check out Horseshoe's [3] collection of vintage cowboy boots (from $88), as well as vintage Western shirts (from $29.99), denim jackets (from $21.99) and tooled leather purses (from $39.99) from Insurrection [3] in Greenwood.
Nordstrom [3], ever reliable for up-to-the minute footwear, carries many styles of Frye boots that fit the bill for this trend. From the tall "Campus" boot ($277.95) with a stacked heel and rounded toe, to the pointy toed "Carmen" ($269.95) ankle boot, you can't go wrong with these instant classics.
Belted shirts and dresses
If you've ever watched a makeover show, you know that fashion-minded professionals recommend accentuating the slimmest part of your body; for most women, that tends to be at the waist or under the ribcage. Luckily, this season, we're seeing the return of the belted waistline and I've found options locally for every body shape and budget.
Swedish retailer H&M [3], which has opened its first Northwest store at Westfield Southcenter and will open two more stores in Seattle this month, is a paragon of affordable style, and this fall you can expect to find belted options like a deep red sleeveless sweater ($34.90), a romantic cream-colored ruffle-front shirt with contrasting black belt ($24.90) and a gray military-inspired jacket with a fitted waistline ($79.90).
Juniper [3] in Madrona has a belted tunic from organic clothing pioneer Stewart and Brown ($166). The "Twist Neck Colorblock Dress" from Mint by Jodi Arnold ($299 at Merge [3]) features an innovative elastic belt that disappears into the back of the dress. The Isadora dress from designer Leona Edmiston ($568 at Tulip [3]) is a stunner with its striking fabric of vibrant green, black, brown and metallic pewter, and a skinny tie at the waist.
Karan Dannenberg Clothier [3] carries a gorgeous coat from designer An Ren ($560) that features details like oversized buttons and fluted arms, and flares out from the belted waist to create a chic profile.
Structured handbags
In contrast to the slouchy hobo bags we've seen recently, this season's handbags feature sleek lines and neat square angles. I've found some sophisticated options to help keep you looking smart and organized this fall.
Canopy Blue [3] in Madison Park carries the purses of local designer Sabrina Love, whose burgundy patent leather "Milano" handbag ($320) is as fashionable as the city it's named for. Love's "Marais" bag ($398) in supple black leather is deep enough to hold your laptop, as well as all your other essentials.
The "Leather Woven Tote" from Banana Republic [3] ($375) transitions with ease from the office to the weekend. The "Lola" handbag from Hobo ($109 at Les Amis [3]) is a great everyday purse with generously long handles that fit well over your shoulders and is available in plum and hunter green leather.
Some eco-friendly options include the vegan "Metier Work Tote" from Seattle's Crystalyn Kae ($155 at the soon-to-open Show Pony). This slim bag is made from a water-resistant, heavy-duty glazed fabric and is a great alternative to a briefcase. Another local designer, Laura Buzard of Laura Bee Designs [3], uses vinyl and your choice of fabrics for her smart and customizable "Chelsea" bag ($86).
Bows and ties
Key pieces that feature bows and ties are all the rage this fall, and are a simple way to make a casual Seattle outfit more feminine. I've chosen options that are never fussy and add maximum style to your wardrobe with very minimal effort.
Anthropologie [3] offers the shimmery Damask Rose Blouse from Floreat ($128), which features a neat bow at the squared-off lowered neckline. Bouncing Wall [3] is featuring an innovative and modern take on this trend with the stand-up collar and long tie of the "Veruca" sweater from TOGS ($76).
I'm also a big fan of the vibrant teal "Georgette Tie Neck Top" from Tulle ($60 at Carmilia's [3]) and a sheer purple short-sleeved bow-tie blouse from H&M [3] ($24.90). Also from H&M [3] is a spectacular vintage-inspired black coat with a demure bow tie at the neck ($129).
Sway & Cake [3] is carrying the inventive "Scarf Coat" ($345) from Chris and Jaime, featuring an exaggerated collar that crisscrosses at the neck; and Tulip [3] has a Porter Grey tie-neck tank in silk crepe ($236) that is versatile and timeless.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
