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Women Unleashed fundraiser for Tony La Russa's ARF. Photos provided
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Trends for this season include many classics, such as tweeds. One of my favorites, lightweight tweeds in dresses and skirts are investment pieces that are great for our warmish autumns and can be worn year after year. Draped trousers are another classic look (think Katharine Hepburn). Paired with a fitted blouse or tucked in sweater, these full-legged pants go from office to meeting to dinner in style and comfort. Dresses continue to please the ladies and flouncy silhouettes are the new twist. Flutter sleeves, fuller skirts and lightweight fabrics create a youthful easy-going style just right for local chores and events.
Julie Rubio from J. Colleen in Lafayette tells me that scarves are still a big accessory item. "A beautiful scarf is a must," she says and I agree. They add a touch of panache to any outfit. We continue our love affair with jewelry but the statement necklace has been replaced by delicate short and long chains. J. Colleen has a line by Hollywood designer Michelle Mirkovich called Divinity Jewelry. Hand beaded earrings and necklaces with added charms, the collection is popular with celebrities and locals alike.
In addition to great fashions, J. Colleen is currently featuring a photo exhibition by local Bay Area photographer Daniel Grant. Titled My Affair with Diana, this exhibit recently showed at SF MOMA and highlights photos of women taken with the vintage toy camera called Diana. The Diana has a plastic lens which produces a blurred, artistic quality currently favored by some photographers. Grant's exhibit runs at J. Colleen now through the end of October.
Catch fashion stylist and author Andrea Pflaumer at the refashioned Orinda Books at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2. She'll be reading from her new book, "Shopping for the Real You: Ten Essential Steps to a Better Wardrobe for Every Woman." Pflaumer says that her book is a primer on the basic principles of choosing clothing, "... we provide a variety of ways to analyze your features, body, personality, and lifestyle, so that you make intelligent shopping choices."
Before you head over to Orinda Books start your evening a little early with Women Unleashed, a fundraiser for Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at ARF headquarters in Walnut Creek. Expect complimentary drinks and appetizers, blood pressure checks, massages, makeup demos, and shopping. Local boutiques will have for sale this season's hottest in purses, scarves, and jewelry plus clothing and makeup. So moms can relax, Kids Club will offer supervised child care with fun activities. Tickets for Women Unleashed are $20 and Kid's Club is $5 per child. For information, visit http://www.arf.net/about/events/2014/women-unleashed.php.
Go forth in style.
Moya Stone is a fashion writer and blogger at: www.overdressedforlife.com.
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