Looking Forward to Fall Fashion

You might only be thinking about what you’re going to wear tomorrow, but we’re already thinking about what you’ll want to wear come fall.

Last week, we headed to the Hudson Hotel in New York City to get a glimpse of the fall 2012 collections from brands exclusive to Target—Mossimo, Merona, C9 by Champion, Liz Lange Maternity, Converse One Star, Xhilaration, Mossimo Supply Co., and Cherokee and Circo for kids.

In the midst of spring, editors perused racks full of fall fashion. During the preview, statuesque models flaunted a bevy of pieces we adored—like cropped tweed jackets for women and rugged, utilitarian boots for men.

Stylist Sam Spector pulled together each model’s outfit for the event and the lookbook shoot the next day. We stopped by the studio to chat with him about trends and what’s new at Target. Check it out below!

What was your styling philosophy for this event?
SS: We wanted to show a variety of men’s and women’s styles and trends for fall. There are so many amazing patterns throughout the Target collections, so I mixed them together. I also wanted to feature the great subtle details that are in so many of the pieces—like piping on a trench coat and colorfully lined blazer collars and sleeves.

Do you have any favorite pieces from the collections?
SS: I love the Merona trench—it’s a fun twist on the classic coat. The black piping makes it super fresh and modern. It’s hard to name just one, but for men, there is a great, double-breasted navy Merona pea coat. A pea coat is a wardrobe staple that I recommend for every man.

Any standout trends for fall?
SS: Animal prints with a twist. For the lookbook, we styled animal prints with florals and plaid for an unexpected mix. Just make sure you mix prints the right way! A few tips: Balance out intricate prints with neutral hues or brights. Pay special attention to color and texture to become a print-mixing pro. Choose a base color that appears in both prints or add depth to an outfit by pairing texture (like lace or eyelet) with a striped skirt. Colored bottoms will also continue to be big for men, women and kids —whether it’s denim, corduroy or trouser pants. I’ve always loved colored bottoms and am so happy to see them in the Target collections. It’s so exciting to style the way that I dress!

We love this look!
SS: The pencil skirt is an almost digitized leopard pattern and we paired it with a classic chambray to balance out the look. We added the floral cardigan at the last minute, but it works really well. The colors coordinate and the proportions of the prints complement each other.

What about the cardigan and chino look for men?
SS: I couldn’t resist pairing the rust colored chinos with a navy cardigan—it’s very preppy hipster. Cardigans are great for guys, and an easy closet piece to just throw on. I never travel without one. The boots are new for fall and go well with the outdoorsy trend that we’ve been seeing in menswear lately. They’re rugged and utilitarian, but also refined.

This outfit makes us want to go back to boarding school!
SS: The print in the blouse has a retro feel, which I put under an amazing mustard yellow cable knit sweater. The patent pump I styled with the cropped plaid trousers is perfect—it’s very flattering.