Let's Ask Maggie!: Maxi dresses for fall?

Dear Maggie,

What's up with the maxi dresses I'm seeing in the stores for fall? I thought maxi dresses were only for summer. 

Thanks! 
Ms. Maxi 😀
Sunnyside, Queens

Dear Ms. Maxi,

I FEEL THIS QUESTION and thought the exact same thing a couple of years ago when I saw the maxi dress begin to pop-up in fall fashion trends. For those of you who are wondering what a maxi-dress is, quick definition: it's a dress with a skirt that is the "maximum length". If you're like me (short) you could easily trip on the hem of the skirt it is so long. The dress, until about 2013, was primarily a summer staple. Slowly the fashionable set began incorporating the maxi into their year-round wardrobe, which, honestly makes sense. It's a long dress, so when fall comes, throw on some tights, boots and a jacket and call the outfit "apple-picking upstate approved". The dresses really are perfect transition pieces--especially if you live somewhere that the weather jumped from crisp fall to muggy summer in the middle of October (*ahem* NYC I am looking at you).

Have any of you, dear readers, been rocking the fall maxi? Or are you treating this dress like some treat the color white: not after Labor Day. Sound off in the comments. And for a little inspiration, check out the Fall Maxi Dress board I just made with you in mind on Pinterest. 

Keep those questions coming! Love each of them!

With love,

Maggie

Let's Ask Maggie!: If I'm wearing a denim jacket, what should I wear on the bottom?

Dear Maggie,

Question: if I'm wearing a denim jacket, what should I wear on the bottom? Blue jeans? Khakis? I read this chapter in Richard Foster's book about simplicity and how we should use old clothes instead of buying new ones. I thought I should really wear this denim jacket I had from like high school. But I never know what to wear it with. Or to.

Andrew, Brooklyn, NY

Dear Andrew,

Nice. I agree that you should try to wear that denim jacket from high school! It is perfect for this brink-of-fall weather. The premise of using old clothes instead of running out to buy new is something I try to help my clients do: shop their closets first (if possible) by dreaming up new ways to wear articles of clothing they already own. 

In my opinion, you can wear your jean jacket with anything but tuxedo pants. Well...there is one other exception: no blue denim on blue denim. For those fashionistas out there, I know the blue denim on blue denim look is on trend at the moment, but it is so hard to do well (because of the different washes and shades of blue) that I don't even know how to begin to tell you how to werk it.

To give you easy simple ideas I have created a Pinterest board: A Dudes Guide to Styling a Denim Jacket Fall 2016 just for you, reader!

Let me know in the comments how you're rocking the jean jacket this season and don't forget to send those questions to Let's Ask Maggie!.

With love,

Maggie

Let's Ask Maggie!: What can a real human wear to her job this fall?

Dear Maggie,

Congrats on your site! My question is: what are some on-trend fashiony things for fall 2016 that a real human can wear to her job? I.e., there's no way I can wear cute shorts with a flowy bell-sleeved top to the office. Also, I'm not 19 and I'm not trying to look like the 19 years I work with.

Christine F., North Carolina

Dear Christine,

Thank you for asking this question! I believe a lot of women are at home wondering the same thing and asking themselves, "What the heck am I going to wear to work this fall?"

Let's get down to what is on trend at the moment. When shopping look for clothing with the following fabrics:  velvet, lace, silks and satins; palettes: soft colors, bright colors (think electric blue and lime green), pink and yellow combinations continue to rule (as they have the past couple of seasons); patterns:  gray plaid, pinstripe suiting, animal prints; and last but not least, navy overcoats.

This season's silhouettes are leaning towards flared trousers (not quite bell-bottoms), boxy long over-coats, and classic tailored blouses and blazers. Your slim cut pants are still on point too.

For visuals I created two women's fall wardrobe Pinterest boards to serve as inspiration for you. The first board is full of lovely pieces that are wearable for all body types and budgets. The second is full of fun off-the-wall couture and ready to wear items that serve as art. I include these images, even though they aren't something most could wear to the office, because they might just spark something in your imagination to create an outfit that only you could put together! (Let me see those pics! #letsaskmaggiefall2016 on Instagram and twitter.)

Besides your fill of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, tell me in the comments what you're looking forward to most this fall!

Come back next week when I will tackle Men's Fall Fashion.

With love,
Maggie

Warning: on the couture board I got a little over zealous pinning the animal print: specifically the leopard print paired with floral. I freaking love it and want to wear all of it. My friends already know this is going to be a problem for me this season--I was accidentally put on the "Pre-intervention for Maggie and her leopard and floral print obsession meeting" email chain. Wish me luck! :)