Hello, Fall!

It's Labor Day, and for the fashion world, the official beginning to fall styles and colors.  Despite what the weather may say, most see this as the time to start putting away the flip flops and bringing out the boots.  Yes, it may seem strange to tuck away one's sandals when it's still 80+ degrees outside, but from all the forecasts I've seen, it's going to be in the 70s for the remainder of the week.  Maybe that's whay I've been itching to go get my sweaters out of storage all day.

Before you rush our to your nearest mall--or the "mall" on your laptop--shop your closet first.  Don't forget to clean it out while you're in there.  Most of the fashion rules that were poular in our youth, such as not wearing white after Labor Day, are no longer in place.  Here's some tips to keep in mind as your start to stare your wardrobe down:

Keep: Your whites.  White jeans, white dresses, and white shirts can all still be worn.  Just be careful to make sure the outfit isn't totally white or too summery.  For example, mix a gauzy white dress with a pair of boots or colored flats, and add a cardigan.  Don't wear that same dress with a pair of rubber flip flops.  Keep anything white to one item in your outfit is a good general rule to go by.
Store: White shoes.  You can get away with just about anything else white but white shoes don't mix well with fall leaves, or snow.

Keep: Nice flip flops.  And by nice, I mean Eliza J. flip flops, Rainbows, critter sandals from J. Crew, etc.  Basically any sandal that isn't rubber or feature a summer motif on them. 
Store: Nicer sandals, or those with seasonal motifs. 
Trash: Any rubber flip flops (such as those from Old Navy) that are dirty or show imprints from where your feet were in them. 

Keep: Tropical, jeweltone, and pastel tanks, tees, and camis.  The colors for fall are brighter than usual, but still subdued.  If you have to ask if a shirt is too bright, then it is. 
Store: Neon colors.  If you were told you'd be directing traffic and needed to wear a bright shirt, the one you'd decide upon needs to be packed up.

Keep: Flare and bootcut jeans. Flares are all over the runways for fall, and are a welcome relief from skinny jeans. 
Store (trash, actually): Anything distressed.  Jeans with major rips, holes, or overly distressed have gone the way of Ed Hardy. 

Keep: Seasonless motifs or critter items.  This would include your favorite skirt with the pink elephants embroidered on it, or the Bermuda Bag purse cover with turtles. 
Store: Anything seasonal.  Seahorses, starfish, sunglasses, etc., should all be packed up.  If you don't boat, anything nautical should go as well. Note: a small logo, such as Vineyard Vine's whale or Lilly Pulitzer's palm tree, don't count as a motif.

Use with care: Straw purses.  A nice straw purse can work well with a fall outfit, but it must be an actual fall outfit.  Don't use a straw purse if you're wearing that gauzy white dress I mentioned above.  If you're wearing brown cords, a forest green sweater and some suede boots and are heading to the pumpkin patch, a straw purse can make a great addition.  Be sure to pack it away once it starts to freeze, though. 

Use with care: Maxi dresses.  Add a cardigan and a belt to bring it into fall.  If your dress is a tropical floral print, it needs to hibernate until next year. 

Trash on sight: Anything that came from Deb's, Forever 21, Wet Seal, Charlotte Russe, etc., that was purchased more than a month ago.  The quality on these items is already poor, and will be out of style by next season. 

Give Away: Anything that you can't fit into right now.  Anything that you haven't worn this year.  Anything that you can't remember last wearing. 

Once you've gotten through this list, you should be all set to hit the shopping destination of your choice and start stocking up on sweaters because it slightly looks like we might get a fall!