By Nanette Wiser
Let’s put the yoga pants and dressy pajamas on the back burner and get our style groove back in. On-trend clothes don’t have to be expensive labels. One my fave fashionistas is publisher Renee Roos, once a dancer with a costume flair in her younger days. “Whatever you wear, make a statement. This season, I’m loving the simple elegance of black and white as my signature look,” says Roos, whose accessories gleaned from her travels also have a fab back story.
Fashion magazines sing the praises of faux leather leggings, studded clogs, puffy sleeves, low rise maxi skirts, vintage-inspired checkered sweater vest, ‘70s style, belted jackets, a long camel open cardigan, big pants (cargo) with little shirt, a Chelsea boot and sneaker all in one and boots baby!
We like the return of classics such as the white shirt, white tanks with blue denim and leather jackets both short and slimly long. We’ll skip the trending bomber jacket, suit vest and ultra-baggy jeans. Also cool is the preppy update from Prada’s pleated midi to Marine Serre’s punk-inspired tartan, polished loafers, and kilt-inspired skirts. But the real star into the holidays is sequins, shiny paillettes like those on the runway from Bottega Venetta, Altuzarra and others. And I long for Net-A-Porter’s elegant black maxidress.
So where are we shopping? We adore Elizabeth’s Boutique, Pippa Pelure, Misred Outfitters, Patchington, Cassie & Co. Fashions, Suzette’s On The Rocks, Suzette’s Too and Annabelle’s. Budget-minded shoppers can update their wardrobes by hunting for gently used clothing and accessories at Anona Thrift Shop, Attic Shoppe, CASA Thrift Shop, Creative Thrift Art Store, Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church Thrift Shop, St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop, Church by the Sea Thrift Store. Visit consignment stores for more treasures, especially Janna’s, The Closet Room, So Chic, Designer Exchange, ArtPool and ReTreat St. Pete, Plato’s Closet, Designers Consigner and Vintage Marche. For evening wear, Rent The Runway is my go-to spot.
With fall, the social season heats up. Do a good deed and dress up for some of the best partieswith a cause such as St. Pete Glitter Queen Party 11/4, Suncoast Hosptice 29th annual fashion show 2023, LAMPLighters ‘Fall Into Fashion 10/26, the 8th annual Sueños de Dalí with a zodiac costume theme 10/22 and The Stuart Society’s Smartly Dressed Fashion Show presented by Dillard’s 11/10.
