High Point University

Fashion Trends for Fall 2014

By Meg Thompson, Staff Writer //

Autumn is finally here. The crisp, cool air has all of us itching for bonfires and changing leaves.  However, the cool air also leaves us fashion and beauty confused; what are we supposed to wear during the coming months? The colors of fall are classic. Red undertones are always safe during this time of year; burnt orange and purple are infamous and will never go out of style during the autumn months.  One style continues to make its way into autumn fashion every year: flannel.  Flannel in every color is timeless. Layering, while it will never completely go out of style, is not as popular this season. Warm, cozy sweaters and cardigans are making their way to the forefront. Fall is the perfect time to wear all of those accessories that you have had tucked away in your closet for the last six months. Bring out the scarves, hats, gloves, and boots, everyone. Scarves are the perfect, timeless accessories to any outfit. Whether it’s a thick, knit scarf to keep you warm while you’re outside or a thin, fashion scarf to dress up your outfit, scarves are always in.

Fall is known for the time to bring out the more daring, darker colors in your makeup; this season, those colors are coming out through your lips. Berry lip colors are huge this year.  Dark, berry colors can look great on every skin tone, as long as you find the right shade (my favorite lipstick shade of the moment is “Party Line” by MAC Cosmetics). As for the rest of your makeup, natural looks are the way to go for fall, with light, natural face makeup and soft eye makeup.  Brown pencil eyeliner is perfect for a smoky, natural effect.  It’s not as strong and sharp of a look as black liquid liner would give you, but it still gives your eyes the definition that you seek.  If you have blue eyes, try a purple or bronze eye shadow as your eyeliner. It’ll make your eyes pop and it’s a subtle way to incorporate color into your look. The natural look persists with hairstyles. Wavy, effortless looking hair is moving up in popularity this season.  Soft, natural curls or waves are superior to straight locks.  If you aren’t feeling the wavy hair look, the topknot will be your best friend; it’s a quick and easy way of keeping your hair out of your face as you walk to class in the autumn wind (and let’s be honest, no one wants to spend an hour doing their hair before a 7:50 a.m. class).

Next up, nail polish: glitter is out. Matte is in. While dark, berry colors are always great for the autumn months, grey and neutral colors are also becoming more and more popular for the cooler months.  Regardless of the color you choose, matte polishes are huge this fall.  Don’t fret.  That doesn’t mean you need to replace all of the polishes in your collection.  Dolce and Gabbana’s Top Lacquer Matte Nail Coat turns any nail polish into matte. Just paint your nails your favorite color, top it off with the D&G topcoat, and you’re ready for the new season.

Regardless of which trends you decide to, or not to, sport this season, just remember that your fashion choices and your style should reflect you. Just because things are popular, doesn’t mean you need to sport them. And if you are still loving glitter nail polish, rock it.  Don’t let me, or anyone else, tell you how to create your style.