Ask A Bay Area Fashionista: Hottest Fall 2015 Fashion Trends

Athleisure wear is seen everywhere in the Bay Area (credit: Laurie Jo Miller Farr)

Meghan Cast
VP, Marketing
Threadflip
www.threadflip.com

Threadflip is an online social fashion marketplace. It's full of pre-loved women's clothing and accessories arranged into beautiful digital closets to create the experience of picking out items from the closet of your most fashionable friend. Threadflip closets allow shoppers to see sellers' overall styles, get inspired, follow their favorites and access ratings to make confident purchases at great prices.

Meghan Cast comes to Threadflip following a career in start-ups, Walmart.com and Gap Inc. Through these experiences, she developed expertise in cross-channel marketing, launching new brands, agency and customer relationship marketing. Cast now combines her start-up and mature brand experiences into a role at Threadflip, which she says is a thrilling experience, working with a smart young team to change the way people think about apparel ownership.

Black in is for fall 2015, San Francisco (credit: Laurie Jo Miller Farr)

Know That Black Is Back

Black is likely to be a dominant color for fall 2015," says Cast. As early as mid-summer, a brief circuit around Union Square stores' fashion floors confirms that black is the new black. It's everywhere. "Beyond black, I can only guess what it won't be — mint, cobalt blue, lilac, blush. There are hints that Pantone 2016 is suggesting sunset colors, which bodes well for both our Threadflip sellers and buyers, since it means so many gorgeous tones," Cast says. Color watchers will find out, as usual, when Pantone reveals what to wear with black in early December. Another point Cast makes regarding black is that it lends itself well to the athleisure look, as in the next tip for fall trends.

Here's a trend that the Bay Area caught on to way before Fashion Avenue or the runways. Everyone has noticed it, as retailers move athleisure to a prominent position at the front of the store. The unlikely combination of apparel to pursue athletic workouts and leisurely relaxation may seem like polar opposites. How true. But, as Nike's CEO recently put it, "Leggings are the new denim." Gym-to-street is the uniform now, whether you're actually off to the gym or just looking as though you are. "The athleisure trend continues strong, but with elevated and unexpected combinations of fabrics, including good old '80s mesh. The look combines an urban vibe with a technical edge and a dash of sophistication," Cast explains about the fall 2015 interpretation of the look.

For those times when you can't decide whether or not to wear a dress, a third option is nice to have. Overalls and jumpsuits remain on trend from spring 2015, only the silhouette is slimmer and the material isn't necessarily denim, as it was last season. Cast suggests, "Think fall and winter fabrics such as leather, silks and wool instead of the summer cotton, linen and blends." Solids are sophisticated, cropped florals and prints are fun in your on-trend jumpsuit. Pair yours with heels or pointed flats and a statement necklace and the look goes anywhere a dress would go, including business events, a dinner date or an autumn wedding.

Fashionable pointed flats for 2015, San Francisco (credit: Laurie Jo Miller Farr)

Step Out In Practical Shoes

We can't say bring back the flat, because it never left. Look for slightly more pointed toes on the latest styles. Cast informs us that "bringing back a former decade's hit as the casual shoe type of choice is an ongoing thing, and right now, Vans are doing it." Doc Martens are moving into that space as well, where Cast notes that the trendiest Threadflip shoppers are snatching up this practical footwear brand for fall and winter 2015-16.

San Franciscans are no strangers to layers, no matter what the season. Layered looks with "oversized flowing silhouettes" is how Cast sees the layered look trending for fall. "The current boho version of this flowing silhouette will transition into layering on chiffon and adding some mohair. Thin fabrics under, with some texture and slight bulk to the outermost layer. The look is romantic with a quirky edge," she adds. Rummage through a vintage shop or perhaps mother's closet for feminine, not starchy, neck-tie blouses from the 70s and 80s, as seen on Bianca Jagger and Princess Diana.