This Season, Don't Look Like Lindsay Lohan November 4, 2009
By: Max Kaplan - Editorial@aycmedia.com When asked what he wants to do with his life, Max Kaplan's response often involves quiet mumbling and the word Quidditch. He loves photography, traveling, design and pronouncing IKEA product names. His hometown of Gettysburg is jealous that Aroundphilly.com snatched him up first.
So far this season the fashion industry has made several questionable moves. By “several” we mean “one” and by “questionable” we mean “absolutely disastrous.” In early October, Lindsay Lohan debuted her first (and most likely last) travesty of a fashion line. It featured hot pink drop-crotch pants inspired by Pixar’s UP!’s hot air balloon. Critics called them a “bad joke,” we called them Samantha Ronson’s pajamas.
That being said, all hope is not lost in the industry. Michael Anderer, head buyer for Old City’s Matthew Izzo boutique and creative director of Philadelphia Fashion Week (PFW), knows exactly what isn’t awry in the season’s fashion. He showed us the season’s best trends, some from the PFW runway and others from the racks in Matthew Izzo, for both men and women. He preached the benefits of flannel (not Roseanne-style) and what jacket to wear with a cocktail dress. Much to Lohan’s dismay, drop-crotch balloon pants weren’t on his trend radar. Here are the looks you should be wearing this month.
Trend #1: Plaid and Flannel
Who can wear it? Men and women
How to wear it: Selectively. Inject a plain outfit with a plaid flannel shirt, as long as it’s in a fitted, tailored look. (Although its inspired by lumberjacks, you don’t want to be mistaken for one.) “Flannels are a huge trend right now. Everybody’s doing them in every kind of shape and fabric,” said Anderer. Both plaid shirts and thicker “shirt jackets” are available for men; women are can find both shirts and shirtdresses. However, should you dig deep enough in your early 90s wardrobe, you may find a few surprises. Ladies: belt it and call it new again.
Trend #2: Shirtdresses Who can wear it? Women
How to wear it: Arguably the season’s broadest trend, shirtdresses can literally be a shirt worn as a dress or a dress inspired by a shirt. Anderer showed us both. Wear a shirtdress with a plaid pattern or invest in one entirely different (perhaps 60s inspired). If you’re feeling adventurous, try a long button-down as a dress; belt it, add high boots and layer it with a cropped jacket or cardigan. Anderer would approve (unless the boots are by UGG).
Trend #3: Thumbholes
Who can wear it? Men and women
How to wear it: Adventurously. Chances are you haven’t considered thumbholes a legitimate fashion trend, but it’s time to change that. “Thumbholes are a trend that seem to pop up and come and go,” Anderer said. At Matthew Izzo, you’ll find them on sweaters and jackets galore. Guys: look for it on a military-inspired jacket with lining at the boutique from Nice Collective. Ladies, look for them on cropped jackets. You’ll find most thumbholes on a thin lining under the jacket, so look carefully.
Trend #4: Toggle coats and Shawl neck sweaters
Who can wear it? Men and women
How to wear it: Timelessly. In an industry plagued by fast fashion, month-long trends and cheap materials, long-standing trends like toggle coats and shawl neck sweaters are a refreshing staple. These pieces can be found at Matthew Izzo by streetwear brands, or at preppy outfitters like J.Crew nearly every season. Guys: try a shawl neck cardigan buttoned over a dress shirt. Ladies, check out Modern Amusement’s toggled peacoat at Matthew Izzo. “We always do well with our winter coats because of the Philadelphia winters,” said Anderer.
Trend #5: Accessory overload
Who can wear it? Women
How to wear it: Excessively. Gone are the days of a single Tiffany’s necklace making a statement for your entire upper half. Bring out every strand of pearls you own; twist them, tie them and put all of them on; then add bangles, at least one watch and pops of color on your neck and wrist. If it looks like a bit much, you’re probably doing it correctly. Try it with everything from dresses to blazers to v-neck tees. Hint: this look is not ideal for any setting with metal detectors, including airports and an increasing number of middle schools.
Looking for some quick inspiration?
Waking up and looking like you fell off the PFW runway is no easy task. For quick inspiration, visit The Sartorialist. Since 2005, he’s been snapping photos of passersby across the globe. The styles he’s found on the street have inspired runway shows, advertising campaigns and most recently, a book of the same title, featuring a few thousand of his favorite looks. The collection of photos, released last month, is taking the global fashion community by storm. Check out his blog for a daily dose of street eye candy from the likes of New York, Paris, Milan and more.
Waking up and looking like you fell off the PFW runway is no easy task. For quick inspiration, visit 
