Fall is right around the corner, fashion lovers. You’ll find that summer clothing is being sold on discounted and clearance prices to make room for the new, mod and elegant fashion that fall 2012 will reveal.

Fall is, in my opinion anyway, the absolute BEST fashion season.  What a great way to experiment, accessorize and flaunt your style in a myriad of ways.  Boots, scarves, gloves and amazing layering pieces add flair and can take a basic outfit to the level of tres chic in a matter of moments.

Here are some of the hottest trends that you’ll see happening this fall, which include incredible texture like lace, velvet, ornate baroque and leather, structure, bold and sexy animal prints and intense color blocking in hues like deep sapphire blue and scarlet.  I’ll show you how to wear them, how to make them work for you and how to integrate your own personal style into the mix.

Structured pieces are definitely a hit for this season.  What a great way to easily look well put together.  At the same note, too much structure can look stuffy and domineering.  The key to keeping the balance to the entire outfit is to even out the structure with some softer, more feminine highlights.  Some of my faves?  This black, tailored one button blazer from Modcloth.  Fits perfectly like it was tailored with you in mind, but with the ruched ¾ sleeves and the tulip shape at the bottom, it’s extremely chic and feminine as well.  This hem adds a great balance and would look amazing with a form fitting textured pencil skirt and some sexy pumps.  I love this lace pencil skirt by Forever 21 with it.  Work it!

Following that trend of strong peaked shoulders that we’ve seen on the red carpets and all of the stars, from the Kardashians to the Braxtons, I simply fell in love with this metallic dress.  Capturing two of the major trends this season, structure and metallic, this is an excellent piece to wear to a major event, a date or just a night out on the town.  Speaking of the Kardashians, I’m definitely feeling the peak shoulder “blue leopard night” printed blazer from their own collection in Sears. On sale now for under $60 and runs in sizes up to x-large.  Keep it fashion forward with a textured legging as it’s paired with for their collection, or if you want to keep it business chic, add a pair of basic, tailored slacks to complete the look.

This structured, belted slate blue dress has a sixties feel to it and is simply lovely, whether for the office or for an event you can truly take this to the next level with some four inch heels and sheer black stockings with a sexy back seam.  Oh, and it comes in plus sizes as well up to size 2x.

Let’s talk texture.  It’s a running theme that’s followed us from last fall to this one and even through summer.  The key to wearing texture is once again, balance.  You can utilize different textured looks and balance them out with solid, softer fabrications to keep the look on par.  I heart this dot textured dress by Modcloth.  It’s a great way to balance out texture and color blocking.  The velvet burnout dots really play up the base cloth and with the form fit it’s sexy and appealing to the eye.

I also am drawn to this playful, lace textured bodice dress that’s great for a night out.  In that bold scarlet shade I told you about earlier, you’ll be turning heads as you enter the room.  How about these pluz size lace inset leggings by Style and Co for Macy’s? Sexy and trendy.  Take it up a fashion notch even further notch with these sassy all over lace pants by DKNYC.  They run up to size 16.

Got prints on the brain?  How about this ornate sheer printed silk top by Bebe?  The base color is completely gorgeous and visually appealing.  The classic ornate print will pair well with a great fitted skirt or slacks for work, or you can even play it down with some sassy denim and pumps for an out of the office, playful look.  This animal print, cropped sateen jacket by Newport News is a fantastic silhouette and a perfect piece to launch into fall.  Will look awesome with anything from denim to skirts to dresses.

Metallic meets snakeskin texture in these sexy skinny jeans by INC for Macy’s.  I love the fit and the bright blue shade.  You’ll be sure to shine and dazzle when wearing these babies.  Pair them with a sleek tank or even a chunky sweater and some ankle booties for a fall ready, fashion forward look.  Also, this jacquard metallic dress by Newport News is THE perfect party dress for fall, so ring it in the right way with slit sleeves and their shape fx technology to keep you looking svelte and sexy in all the right places!

Lastly, I want to show some great color blocking options to mix and match using the hottest fall hues, like these sexy red skinny jeans by the Kardashian Collection, this mandarin collar top by The Limited which comes in a host of bold shades like emerald blue, lava red and magenta or these signature skinny jeans by Bebe that come in red, vivacious yellow and orange to truly stop the show.

So use these great pieces as inspiration, snatch some for your own and enjoy shopping for this new season.  Remember, you define your look; so keep it unique, keep it trendy and wear fall fashion your way.  Cheers!

Qiana L. Williams

Singer/songwriter and author, Qiana Williams uses her professional fashion background to report on the hottest in trend and style for men and women, beauty and more.

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