Boulder Magazine Fall 2007 :: feature articles

Fall Fashion: Science of Style
Boulder fashions are all about comfort and class. They’re tailored with a twist.

By Vivienne Palmer
Photos by Erik Paulsrud

Kelli Pousson is sassy in this striped knit dress with bloused sleeves by Bailey 44. It’s a great fall dress for a fun night on the town. Clothes provided by Besos. Kelli Pousson wears two hats, professionally: assistant interior designer with Red Pepper Kitchen + Bath, and acting executive director of the Boulder Green Building Guild. She describes her way of dressing as “casual, fun, funky, vintage, unique. ... I like to find jewelry at estate sales and thrift shops as much as at art galleries and boutiques.”

This fall, fashion seems to be responding to a lengthening A-list of ingénues landing in rehab, jail or both. Starlets going “commando” in micro minis and flashing X-rated views up their skirts are par for the course. Everyone has seen Lindsey, Paris and Brittney’s naughty bits so many times that it isn’t shocking or even interesting anymore.

Fashion trendsetters have responded to this over-the-top sexuality with conservative fall lines. This season’s clothing is decidedly less overtly sexy. Hip-length tunics have replaced bare midriffs; layers of clothing have pushed aside the barely-there slip dress. Low-cut tops are made modest with a camisole underneath. The tenacious low-rise trend is being replaced with higher-waisted pants, albeit with much resistance from consumers who still find the lower waist sexier and more flattering.

Women’s fashions are taking cues from menswear in cut and styling, offering us styles that are more discreet (for those of us who don’t want the world to see our undergarments, or the lack thereof) and wearable in work environments. One New York designer named his women’s couture line simply “Boy.” The key trends include layers, tights, sweater dressing, metallics, fur, slouchy-chic pants, and a leaner, more sophisticated silhouette.

Konstanze Hacker commands attention in this black suit by Why? with its crisp lines and sleek, soft silhouette, a subtle camisole from Isda, and chunky necklace by Aja Smart, all courtesy of JJ Wells. “I love to be elegant, and in Boulder I often take the risk of seeming ‘overdressed,’ but beautiful clothes are just sooo much fun,” says Konstanze Hacker, a therapist, potter and Naropa graduate student. “Part of being a woman, for me, is the joy of finding lovely clothes.” She looks for “good quality, simple and classy. I don’t always have to follow ‘the latest’—especially since often I don’t even like it.”

“Military and menswear are in. That styling is translating into jackets and shirts,” says Heather Tyson, owner of Londyns. “But the military look is more of a feel rather than outright camo. You are seeing more peacoats and trench coats with buttons and cuffs. They have a tailored look.” Body-hugging dresses have given way to dresses that are cut slimmer at the top and flowier on the bottom, for layering with a cropped jacket and leggings. Or, if a dress is tight on the bottom, the top will be looser to create balance. Sleeves have “cocoon” or “lantern” shapes—that is, they are fitted at the shoulder and flare out to create a blousy effect around the wrist or upper arm.

Shades of Gray

Color, too, conveys a more sober attitude. Every shade of gray is in; flirty florals are out. “Grays are what’s happening, and they look great with silver jewelry,” says d Van Krevelen of JJ Wells. “Accent colors are in the deeper and richer hues, like blue, purple and red.” Trinda Weymouth, owner of Princess Kept the View, is all about texture: (p43) “Distressed fabrics are in right now. A lot of the washes are really soft—it’s not like the old days when you got fabrics that were stiff.”

Couture is fine for the runways, but how it trickles down to Boulder dressing is another story, as always. Will Boulderites incorporate the trends into their wardrobes? Weymouth says, “What’s happening in L.A. doesn’t necessarily translate over here. Sailor-leg pants are happening in L.A., but I don’t think they will make it in Boulder.” She believes that trends that will go the distance locally are found in the details. “I’m seeing a lot of detail, like big stitching, different-color stitching, dark denim and pocket details.”

Boulder simply isn’t a town for fashion victims who’ll buy whatever the season dictates. Jessica Anderson, owner of Chelsea, feels it’s sensible for stores here to play it safe. “We try not to go too much into really specific trends that won’t look good next season,” she says. “We’ll be sexy in a subdued way. Minidresses are in, but with a boot and an opaque tight, and a big, metallic belt at the waist.”

Christi Gordon steals the show in a tunic and skirt by Electric Symphony, which blends Pima cotton and technology to create soft, supple fabrics that feel oh-so-good. Clothes provided by Londyns. “In life, I strive to be admired by my son and daughter. In fashion, I want to look like I spent a lot of time, even if I didn’t,” says Christi Gordon, who stays abreast of trends by reading People, Us and Vogue on the elliptical at the gym. “I do love to keep current on more sophisticated styles, but I have to feel comfortable in them.”

Jeans are a wardrobe staple for most everyone. Heather Tyson of Londyns says, “As far as denim is concerned, the very wide legs are back. I am seeing all kinds of waistlines. We have some ultra high-waisted stuff and low-cut jeans. The skinny-leg jeans of last year are still a hard sale in Boulder, even though in L.A. no one was wearing boot cut.”

Anderson agrees that “the biggest single trend is the wide-legged jean.They’re making it in Boulder because they balance out your hips. Even during the hot summer,” she says, “our wide-leg [sailor-leg] Joes were flying out the door. Women who can’t pull off the skinny jean look great in the wide leg.” At Weekends, women’s buyer Daphne Herrick is on the same page, touting the “trouser jean.” “It’s a little dressier, wider in the leg and higher-waisted. I think it will go over in Boulder because any age can wear it. It’s a good look for work and going out at night. We still carry the basic boot-cut jean, which will always be in style.”

Anderson loves accessories. “We are still seeing a lot of jewelry that has an heirloom or talisman quality,” she says. “The zodiac and celestial symbols are doing great. A pendant has to tell a story or be meaningful.” Aside from chandelier earrings and cocktail rings, jewelry is delicate and dainty. People will be dressing down their outfits with big shoulder bags in luxe materials, and pairing their leggings with ballet flats. The Wellington is the new “it” boot, but everyone still loves a sexy heel. Wide-legged pants are balanced on the bottom with a peep-toe pump.

Menswear: ‘The Best in 30-Some Years’

Women aren’t the only ones who are fashion-conscious. Edward Kapson, co-owner of Kinsley & Company, labels Men’s Fall 2007 “classic with a twist.” “In suiting,” he says, “we are seeing clothes that are more European, cut closer to the body, although not tight, and trimmer trousers—no pleats. The clothes are in traditional herringbones, plaids and stripes. The twist is in the accent colors in the embellishments, stripes and undercollars—like purples, rusts and olives. The suitings are dark and dressy in blacks, grays, navies, olives and touches of brown.”

Steve Jacobs, owner of The Regiment Shops, is excited about this season’s sportswear for men, which he considers “the best I’ve seen in the 30-some years I’ve been doing this.”

Slacks come in every color imaginable, with more emphasis on tasteful, dressy belts with such embellishments as alligator skin and classy buckles. Softer, more luxurious fabrics play into menswear as well. “Sweaters and sweater vests in comfort weight and lighter-weight merinos in simple patterns are in,” Jacobs says.

From babysitting to boardroom, the Boulder man is raring to go in lambswool tick weave sport coat by Jack Victor, over a Robert Talbott cotton sportshirt and comfortable mid-wash denim jeans by Indigo Palms, provided by The Regiment Shops. And the little one is dressed to play in a French terry dress tunic with a kimono-style wrap and slim-fit denim pants by TEA, courtesy of Rocky Mountain Kids. When Jeff Wu isn’t working as an ER doctor, he’s a stay-at-home dad to his daughter, Sydney. Jeff has two fashion rules: “If it isn’t comfortable, I won’t wear it, and if it has special washing requirements, I won’t wear it.” For professional dress, he says, “I essentially wear the same thing to work as most folks wear to bed—pajamas. I bought five sets of scrubs three years ago, and I plan to use them until I retire.”

Jeans are the basis of men’s casual wear. Darker washes and more premium denim will replace the worn and distressed look of last season. And there is good news here too, says Jacobs: “The real high-end denim is starting to wane. The $300 jeans are coming back down to a more reasonable price point.” Casual wear for the office means a classier jean with a loafer and a nice-looking belt. Sport coats have replaced the windbreaker as outerwear. “Our dressy-sportswear business has improved a lot,” he notes. “Men don’t have to wear suits, so they spend more on casual clothing.”

This fall has so much to offer that anybody who shops for clothes can find something they feel and look good in. Van Krevelen sums up the fall look when she says, “Whatever is trendy is incorporated into our own style. This fall is for everyone.”

Once again, we’ve found locals who love fashion to model the latest trends and share with us their philosophy on dressing. With the statuesque NCAR building and grounds as a backdrop, they step out in the latest looks. |

Pick up your free copy of Boulder Magazine, or subscribe today to read about more fashion-forward Boulderites (women, men and children) and to see photos of what's new this year in Boulder stores.

When not chasing her two boys around, Vivienne Palmer is a freelance writer, property manager and aspiring visual artist.

Freelance photographer Erik Paulsrud met his wife, Amy Hayes, when they worked in the kitchen of a research station in Antarctica. They are expecting their first child.