Atlantic City Weekly

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If the Shoe Fits ...
Fall footwear trends include (very) high heels and hot colors

When buying shoes this fall, it may be best to ask your self what would Carrie Bradshaw and her Sex in the City pals lust for on their perfectly pedicured feet? In "A Woman's Right to Shoes," an episode that centered on the losing of and then the finding of the perfect pair of Manolos, the girls take shoes and shoe shopping very seriously. If you are anything like Carrie and company, you will no doubt be influenced by the 2008 fall footwear trends -- amazingly high heels, fantastic boots and booties, hot colors, wild textures, plaids, and anything goes materials.

What's hot? In the Atlantic City area, you may want to check out The Pier Shops at Caesars, also known as the "shopping mecca for shoes." Whatever your heart (or feet) desire this fall, can be found at The Pier Shops -- everything from a Steve Madden peep-toe bootie to a variety of pumps and boots from Cole Haan to running shoes from the Finish Line to a pair of Michael Kors "wickedly" asymmetrical high heels. Bold, bright color is the trend this fall. Purples and blues, reds and oranges, and romantic berry colors like cranberry really remind you of cool autumn days and chilly nights. Michele Zelig, owner of Chic Shoes in Northfield, notices that her customers have been zeroing in on the new fall colors. "Especially the plums and the greens that are very popular this season," says Zelig.

In addition to bold colors, textures are really hot this season -- leather, velvet, and suede -- sometimes combining one or more materials. Designers are also using felt, tweed and knitted fabrics. Textures like glossy materials are really popular this fall as well. Patent leather especially is a big draw this season. And, if you like patent leather, it's not just shiny-black anymore. This fall you will find a variety of patent leather colors to select, ranging from unusual pearl shades to bold reds, pinks, plums and greens.

This fall, boots are a must. This season presents a comfortable look -- over the knee, cuffed, buckled, "biker," fringed and ankle boots. According to Michele Zelig, low-healed boots are really big sellers this fall at Chic Shoes -- especially boots with fabulous buckles and buttons by Eric Michael, BCBG Girls, and Vaneli. Zelig also has been noticing her customers are looking for a "comfortable look" that can also be "versatile" enough so the same pair of boots can be used for any occasion -- a tuck-your-jeans-into casual look; with a mini-skirt and leggings; or even with dressier, evening attire. If style is what you're all about, La Bottine Boutique in downtown Ocean City is one local shop for you. La Bottine, which means high-button shoe in French, is a perfect name for this year's fall fashion boots that are touting lots of buttons and bulky buckles by a variety of shoe designers such as Anne Klein, Bandolino, Franco Sarto and Naughty Monkey just to name a few.

Hair and Accessories

Can the length of woman's hair be used as an accurate barometer of the nation's wealth? Let's see. In the 1930s, a Jean Harlow sassy, short style dominated the hairstyles through the Depression years. As the economic outlook improved from the 1940s into the '50s, hair styles got longer and more glamorous. What's in store for Fall 2008? Seems like the economic decline of the last few months is dominating the trend in hair and styles are going shorter and darker for the season featuring bobs, curls and shaggy layers.

In the Atlantic City area, Panache Hair Salon in Northfield is seeing similar trends.

"The long, straight look is being overtaken by shorter styles," says Perry Shapiro, owner and stylist at Panache. "We are seeing clients that want a shorter cut with a bit of movement in the form of a wave or curl. We seem to be moving from the Vicky Beckham graduated bob to an even shorter cut this season."

This season's hair color trends are more natural than ever -- colorful, chunky streaks are out and earth tones are in. According to Shapiro, "People are looking for a more subdued hair color this fall -- highlights are still in but not as light as they were in the summer," he says.

In a recent interview on the CBS Early Show, David Evangelista, stylist to the stars, shared his thoughts about fall hair colors. Evangelista feels that women's hair color should change with the seasons, and the fall season is a great time to tone down hair color to richer, deeper shades.

As the saying goes, the devil is in the detail. And, the right accessories can kick up your outfit up to sexy hot or lower it down a notch to funky cool. Rather than having to empty your closet (and your wallet) and start fresh, the right accessories can sync up last year's wardrobe to work with 2008 trends. Fall 2008 offers a cornucopia of extras ranging from bold statement jewelry to gorgeous saddle-bag pocketbooks to satin clutch purses.

Keisha Burkett, an avid shopper and big fan of the The Pier Shops at Caesars, knows how to update her wardrobe. Burkett shops for the new, fall accessories and this season is particularly interested in "chunky necklaces, tons of scarves, and plenty of handbags made of rich suedes and supple leathers." She is also likes to add textured tights and stockings -- in rich purples, cobalt blues, grays and lots of patterns -- that will "add some bling to my outfits!"

This fall, make a "statement" about your jewelry. Artsy and bejeweled are big this season featuring heavy-duty hardware and funky shapes. Along with local shopping meccas such as Hamilton Mall, The Walk, The Pier Shops at Caesars, etc., check out local shops like Accents (Northfield) and Papillion (Linwood) for a great selection of trinkets to spruce up your wardrobe. One great local spot for diamonds is Obsessions Jewelers in Somers Point.