The Color Purple

"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it." — Shug Avery

Well, for the fall fashion season, the designers have taken Shug's advice and made sure that everyone notices the color purple. Traditionally, the fall season is a time for subdued colors. This is a time for rust-colored orange, browns, yellows, reds. Colors that blend in with the autumn scenery. Well, for fall 2008, we don't blend, we stand out and overpower. Welcome to a new day.

New York fashion designers have shifted from the usual dull autumn hues, and opted for more bright, exciting colors. What's the No. 1 must have color for fall? Purple. A deep, rich royal purple jewel tone. This the "It" color on the fall runways. It's bold, exciting, vibrant, and breaks the norm for the season. I love it.

But the designers didn't stop there. Jewel tones are all over the place in a variety of bold colors. I'm much more fond of blue, but that's just me. So, get out there and pick up a few pieces and mix it up. This year is not about muted shades. You want to stand out.

And, to help you out with what to buy -- now that you know the colors you need -- here are a few of the style trends for fall:

1. Tailored blouses tucked into high-waisted pants or skirts

2. The layered look

3. Jackets are longer this season

4. Long trench coat

5. Flashy jewelry -- the big, gaudy, chunky kind that draws attention to your face. (Don't overdo this trend. Mix subtle pieces with larger pieces. Take a look at Women's Wear Daily for examples of the chunky jewelry. Just remember that you should only have a piece or two that are bold. The rest should serve as a background.)

6. Belts are bigger

7. An oversize, patent leather purse

Any of these styles can incorporate the new colors. But never do all trends together. That is just tacky. Be sure to mix the old with the new, the flashy with the subtle, and so on.

Here's to style. Cheers!