On Trend: 2018 Fall Fashion

October 16, 2018October 16, 2018 | kristencastillo

Ready for animal prints, power tailoring and sequins? Sounds like you’re ready for fall fashion 2018!

Autumn is here and I’m excited to show you the hot looks for this cool time of year. Neiman Marcus invited me to their fall fashion preview so here’s what you can expect when you’re shopping this season.

This season, women are going to be wearing a lot of what Alex Yáñez, stylist for Neiman Marcus at San Diego’s Fashion Valley, calls “peacock colors.” That means saturated blues and greens for a bold, eye-catching pallet.

The power pantsuit is back too. Tailored suiting, including double-breasted jackets and strong shoulders, is very in vogue.

Leather is making a big statement this season as well. Whether you choose matte or patent leather, you can rock this look head-to-toe.

Get ready to roar! Autumn is all about animal prints including zebra, tiger, and leopard, as well as other amazing prints. Feel free to mix, match and layer this wild and sexy style.

Who says sequins or just for parties and night time? Yáñez and his team at Neiman Marcus say you can wear sequins day or night – shine any time you want.

When it comes to accessories, expect to see western wear like cowboy boots a lot this year, as well as lace up boots. It’s a 90’s throwback but a definite must this season.

Top flap handbags both slouchy and structured are going to be the it bag.

And when it comes to jewelry, look out for crystals and jet black jewelry – very dramatic! Finish your ensemble with a glow. Luminous skin is going to be all the rage this fall.

For men, autumn is all about tech tailoring. Thank innovative suits that blend both performance and function.

Guys will be rocking turtlenecks, velvet and velour too. Men will bundle up during cold weather with a performance parka – both cozy and cool.

For accessories, men will be wearing chunky runner shoes with an exaggerated sole. That’s definitely fun and functional footwear.

Men’s styling is going to include a lot of utilitarian details including cargo pockets camouflage this time of year. Expect accent colors in shades of wine, burgundy and blue.

What fall fashion pieces and trends are your “must-have” looks this season?

Falling in Love With Fall Fashion

September 19, 2017September 19, 2017 | kristencastillo

Ready for fall? Now’s the time to get your autumn wardrobe together.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a few Neiman Marcus Fall fashion shows at Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego. This season has lots of stylish trends that are easy to incorporate into your attire. Here’s what to expect for ladies:

Red is the “it” color this fall.

All shades of red are in vogue but bold shades and burgundies are particularly hot.

The 90’s are back! “This is the look of the season,” says Alex Yanez, stylist for Neiman Marcus, who explains the 90’s style of graphic makeup including heavy eyeliner is in vogue again.

Many fall styles are punk and grunge inspired, blending feminine and masculine looks. Yanez describes this style as having a “Courtney Love 90’s feel.”

Bulky boots are making a return too. One black pair featured in the fashion show had a floral pattern, showcasing that mix of feminine and masculine.

Suited Up. Modern suiting for women is very sleek and totally inspired by menswear.

Check out Dior’s take on menswear below:

Covered Legs. Another throwback that’s in fashion this fall? Hosiery. Models wore stylish patterned tights and fishnets with booties and heels. A very polished look!

Cozy up to velvet. This season’s in-demand texture, velvet is smooth and soft. It’s making its mark on jackets, tops and accessories, including shoes and purses. One model demonstrated this trend with a velvet hobo bag. Others showed off velvet pants, paired with velvet shoes.

Velvet works for night and day. It’s “less seasonal than it has been in the past,” says Yanez.

Leather jackets can add a little edge to a lot of looks. For example, when paired with a soft dress, a leather jacket can toughen up the attire.

Embellishments. Ruffles and fridge are making their mark on the runway and in real life. The shows featured ruffled skirts and dresses, as well as fringe and embrodiery on accessories like purses.

Menswear

Not to ignore the guys, here’s what’s in fashion for men this season:

Men are rocking red too.

They’re also looking very seasonally chic in plaid jackets and plaid shirts. Camouflage is also fashionable.

The velvet trend looks great on guys too. Dark denim, a strong choice for men, pairs well with so many ensembles.

The big footwear trend for men? Runners, a fashionable and functional shoe.

What’s fall fashions do you plan to try?

Fashion Forward! Neiman Marcus Fall 2015 Fashion Show

August 13, 2015August 13, 2015 | kristencastillo

I was honored to be invited to the Neiman Marcus Fall 2015 Fashion Show!

During the show for local writers and bloggers, the retailer’s Style Advisor Alex Yanez showcased some of the great looks he’s styled for the season, including fringe, white on white ensembles and lots of layering.

Enjoy the photos and check out the fashion trends you’ll see this autumn.

Women’s Trends:

Fall fashion has a Bohemian and Folkloric feel, says Yanez.
Fringe is popular, which Yanez says is all about “fun and movement.”
Duster jackets and ponchos
Lots of layers
Turquoise
Ruffles
Tunic lengths
Floral looks
“Red is the color of the season,” says Yanez, explaining it’s good to mix reds. One of the models he styled wore head to toe red, including a crimson Diane Van Furstenberg dress with a red Burberry scarf and a red leather jacket.
Mixing texture
Winter white and layering white on white

Accessories:

Bucket bag
Saddle bags, a new silhouette, which can be worn crossbody too, says Yanez.
Platform shoes with chunky heels
Long layered necklaces
Mixing gold with silver
“Jeweling up the ear”
Leather leggings under shorter dress. Yanez calls leggings, “a great alternative to traditional hosiery.”

Mens Trends: