Trends in Fashion and Makeup

The future looks bright and gem-colored for the holidays. Julian Gold’s vice president of marketing, Courtney Percy, says stylish women will be transitioning fall trends that translate right into the holidays: “There’s lots of color, lots of orange, pinks across the board ranging from pastel to fuchsia, blues and orchid.”  She also sees those colors and more as good accents for women who want to wear an all-black outfit.

Accessories are all about pops of color as well. “Tassels are a really strong trend, and we have them on everything from earrings to handbags in jewel tones,” Percy comments. She also sees gold accessories like cuffs and earrings adding dimension to outfits.

Melinda Adams, associate professor of fashion management at the University of the Incarnate Word, sees deep rich holiday tones, colors that are more traditional to the season, but in rich velvet and textural lace. “It’s not as see-through as the lace you saw in spring, and you’ll see it in dark saturated black,” she says, adding that it’s easy to update something in your existing wardrobe. “Take a black velvet dress and pair it with a new crushed velvet jacket or wrap or something lace in a similar tone to bring it into the new season.” she suggests.

In contrast to the single color look, Adams says there have been big discussions for the holidays around the growing trend of mixing prints and patterns. Her recommendation: “You don’t want to look like a clown, so you’re best to stick with one unifying color when putting them together.”

There are lots of opportunities to shine during the holidays, says Percy — “From head to toe we’re seeing sequins on tops, skirts and dresses that shimmer on all fronts, even for daytime.” Adams advises that sequins can be overpowering, so wear them by the piece in moderation. “The holidays are the perfect time to add some sparkle to your look,” she says.

Here in South Texas, Percy says two things are always popular for women — leather and fur. “Women are embracing leather even more. It’s wearable no matter what style you prefer, and it’s very versatile,” she says. In addition to blacks, grays and neutrals, there are bold colors to choose from. “A classic black leather jacket can be worn for the holidays and is a good transition piece for spring.”

Fur coats and fur trim on collars are abundant this fall, a trend that will carry over to the holidays. An unexpected look this holiday season if it fits your personal style, says Percy, is wearing fur outerwear like a jacket or vest for a party. She suggests wearing a fur wrap over a sequined or beaded dress for a sophisticated gala look. For parties or home entertaining she says the new midi-skirt is a cut you might hesitate to wear until you try it on. A skirt, blouse and fur vest or wrap make a good going-out ensemble.

Party fashions aren’t complete without appropriate hair and makeup.  Adams advises, “When we are putting lots of emphasis on what we are wearing, you want hair and makeup to be simple and clean.  More is definitely less.” Petra’s Salon owner Petra Williams says the straightened hair look is over; now “it’s all about tousled, loose curls and waves, hair that is not overdone.” For fancy events she recommends an up-do, especially the very popular on-trend chignon: “You want it loose and messy and low on the side and behind the ear.” Another trend that San Antonio women are asking for is braids. While younger women want full-on braids, a single braid can be incorporated into an updated up-do for a more mature look.

Ultrashort pixies are popular at Petra’s, the official salon of WOAI-TV on-air talent, but more so are the angled bobs with length in front. And while San Antonians love their blonde shades, there is a movement away from the very blonde. “Women generally go a little darker in the fall, but now we are doing a lot of ‘bronding,’ adding browns to blonde. Dark brunettes are opting for rich auburns applied with balayage, a hand-painted color application technique,” says Williams. To look your best for the holidays, especially if you color your hair, deep conditioning is important. Williams recommends a treatment every six weeks to keep your locks healthy and looking good.

To balance the color of holiday fashion, Williams says there is a subtlety with cosmetics this season: “It’s really about new ways of focusing on the eyes without so much makeup.” With an emphasis on eyes, she says the main feature is long lashes, with clients seeking services such as eyelash tinting and extensions.

Adams finds more and more she gets inspiration from the fashion sections of the Wall Street Journal and Huffington Post and encourages others to be open to developments. “Women should embrace trends and try something new,” she advises.

Whatever your holiday calendar includes, celebrate in style!

By Cheryl Van Tuyl Jividen