Goodwill Fashion Expert—Bjorn Nasett

Mad for Plaid

For many people fall and winter is all about being cozy and warm. But, to me it also evokes certain patterns that just “feel” more seasonal. Take the traditional red plaid pattern, for example. According to Wikipedia, “Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal-and-vertical bands in multiple colors. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they’re made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns.” 

Falling for Fashion

The autumn and winter fashion shows I attend in New York City are held in February, but they do reflect the season(s) ahead. One particular collection by Joanna Mastroianni from the A/W show of 2013 really stood out for a variety of reasons. It illustrates what makes us excited and interested in fashion. Mastroianni combines luxurious fabrics with stunning styling to create contemporary glamour that stands the test of time. As you’ll see in this slideshow of her work, it’s hard to place a time period on her work. It’s both classic and new all at the same time. 

Best Fall Trends!

Early last Saturday morning I joined a few hundred folks at the Boston Store in Mayfair Mall for an exclusive in-store runway show of the latest fall fashions from some of the biggest names in retail.

Fall Colors?

Some people hew to the tried and true while others walk a path few would dare to take. That’s precisely the way I feel whenever I see bold designer fashions that stray from traditional ideals. Last February at the Autumn/Winter 2016 fashion presentations in New York City, I took in a show that really proves this point in so many ways. 

Fall’s Clean Lines

When we think of early fall and the coming winter we start to cozy up to the idea of changes in our wardrobe. Sweaters, boots and scarves start to come out of drawers, closets and storage to replace our t-shirts, sandals and shorts. But, is there anything new when it comes to autumnal fashion?

Coat Tales

As we transition from summer to autumn, do you find it difficult to know what to wear?  If you have these three types of coats you’ll have some options to up your style game as the temperature fluctuates!  You MUST have: a trench coat, moto-style jacket, and a denim jacket.

Men’s Fall Fashion Rocks!

Concept Korea showcases Korean fashion designers and their best ideas at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week twice a year. I always try to attend simply because they tend to be a little more over-the-top in a good way! For Fall and Winter 2015, one of the two featured runway shows had a whimsical and out-of-the-ordinary menswear looks created by a designer named Tae Yong. His take on what men should, and could, wear for fall and winter was definitely not your basic khaki-and-button-down combo. But, like I always say, there’s an element in every outfit and garment that leads us to other trends or, it could be worn on its own instead of employing the over-the-top styling most runway shows require to make them more “showy.” Take a look at the slideshow below and you’ll find yourself smiling at some of these wacky menswear pieces! But, without a doubt you’ll develop an understanding that Tae Yong’s garments are beautifully made, and with a little modification they could become wearable to the bro’s here in the Midwest.

Pick 5 for Fall Fashion - Part 2

Michelle Gill (shown in the photo on the left with Danette, the store manager of the Goodwill Store and Donation Center on Palmer Street in Milwaukee) is part of the team at Fashionable Demand, a fashion consulting and editorial styling enterprise. As part of my on-going series of spotlighting fashion voices and their choices, I asked her to pick five items that would make her fall fashion must-have list. Here’s what she picked and why …

Cozy Up to Fall Fashion

Now that fall has arrived, a lot of people I know can’t wait to reach for their cozy sweaters and coats for comfort from the chill. For many, fall is a favorite time of year simply because of the fashion choices we can make!  Last February in New York, I attended the BCBG MaxAzria Fall 2015 runway show, where almost every look was relaxed and cozy looking. Rich with details such as leather, woven textures, fur trim and oversized sweaters. The pieces the designer presented were wearable and fun for women of almost any age. In the Midwest, dressing for cold weather is part of our DNA, and the ideas shown in the photographs I took provide great food for thought as we inevitably head down winter’s path.

Fall Fashion Triple Play!

That means having items in your wardrobe that can segue from the hot and humid last gasps of summer in September, all the way to the inevitable winter of November. I’m going to show you how a few items of clothing, foundation pieces, that can create looks to work through this transitional time of year.

Borrowed From The Boys for Fall 2015

Menswear has always been about classic fabrics like wool and patterns such as plaids and stripes. This fall a lot of international designers are reflecting the male suiting structure into their runway looks. Take, for instance, the design duo of Costello Tagliapietra, whose models strutted their stuff on the catwalks of NYC last February wearing some extraordinary ensembles featuring buttoned-up and toned-down “borrowed-from-the-boys” garments.