Falling for Fall

I'm falling in love with fall fashion. The belted coats, the knitwear, the color schemes. Everything is just so warm and yummy and rich. I think saks.com probably does the best job of portraying the styles (asos.com is runner-up for its correctness in showcasing overall fall fashion trends coupled with its reinventing of those trends). So, let's juxtapose the pure depiction of 2010 fall fashion (as portrayed on saks.com) to the quirky spin on fall fashion (as exemplified on other sites).

1) The belted wool coat
The Martin Grant Belted Three-Quarter Plaid Coat is that perfect representation of outerwear for the fall season. Perfectly tailored and coming in at $1890, this is the sort of piece we cannot afford, yet we use as a model for our imminent bargain purchase...


...better yet known as the more wallet-friendly ASOS Belted Velvet Detail Military Coat. This coat hits all the fall fashion notes: military details, velvet accents, belt detail. Perhaps it's the fusion of so many fall trends that makes it a more unusual piece. And at $168.50, this is an excellent option for us bargain divas.


2. The loafer
The loafer is an uber important piece in the fall season wardrobe. It's hipster, it's office-wear, it's brunch with the family - this shoe wears many hats. The Prada patent loafer ($595) is Harvard meets FIT.


While these Alexander Wang Karmen Loafers (available at shopbop.com) aren't exactly a bargain ($445), I juxtapose them to the Pradas as I think they are such a perfectly exaggerated loafer. These are so perfectly androgynous and sleek and unusual, you can't help but stare at them.


3. Perfect Knitwear

There's nothing like the scrumptious image of a warm woven sweater to put you in a fall state of mind. This fall, knitwear has only gotten better. This Donna Karan Hand-Knit Hooded Drape Front Cardigan ($2495 - yikes) is the perfect example of knitwear at it's finest. Plush and oversized and perfect for chilly nights, this garment is sure to lower your oil bills in the winter months.


ASOS points us in a more economical direction. This $70.77 ASOS Square Pattern Blanket Wrap is quirky and warm and exotic. It'll get the (good kind of) attention from those around you. It's a great piece and definitely one I'm thinking about purchasing.