When it comes to fall fashion in the South, transition is the name of the game. September is hot down here, y’all. We’re talking 85-degree days through the end of the month. While our New England friends are unboxing Fair Isle sweaters and L.L.Bean boots, we North Carolinians opt for lightweight knit tops with sheer sleeves or thin jackets over bohemian dresses to achieve a layered autumnal look tolerant of the sultry heat. (And yes, sandals are still acceptable in September!)
Temps start to drop in October, when knee-high boots paired with miniskirts wrap legs in fashionable warmth. Oversized vests and sherpa sweaters warm up maxi skirts and lycra leggings as November approaches. We can finally dust off our leather jackets as the holidays arrive in December.
But fall trends still apply. To make it work, we have to bend and blend! This fall, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Vogue and InStyle harken the return of staples like white tanks, classic blazers, baggy trousers and wide-legged jeans. Trench coats, bomber jackets, miniskirts and head-to-toe leather are also making a comeback. The coveted little black dress remains timeless.
Black, in fact, is back in all your favorite formats, while caramel and hot pink are also turning heads this fall. Metallic boots, sequins and rhinestones add zing to stately ensembles.
Stylist Sofia Lujan blended these trends into eight outfits that work for any occasion—a casual outing, professional meeting, dinner party or downtown excursion. Studded boots with a rhinestone jacket over your favorite black dress create the perfect look for a night out on the town. A patterned lightweight jacket, sheer blouse and faux leather miniskirt facilitate an effortless transition from board meeting to happy hour. Animal print—or actual animals—on jackets and button-downs make a statement in the office.
Layered jewelry, vintage rings and chain links—whether in the form of a necklace or purse strap—add glimmer and shine to your favorite fall ensemble. Anything goes—with a touch of restraint. Bend and blend the rules to achieve the autumn looks that work for you.
Kathleen is wearing taupe studded Western-style booties from Arrow Tree Boutique; and a corduroy top, sweater vest, and geometric print black and white pants from Swagger Boutique. She is carrying a black leather Cuoieria Fiorentina handbag from Rangoni Firenze. She is wearing a diamond pear-shaped pendant; white gold necklaces and bracelets; a white gold bangle, open wrap pavé ring, three-row ring and single bezel-set diamond ring; a goldmark collection “trinity” ring; and white gold open circle earrings with diamonds from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry. (See the full jewelry index at the end of this feature.)
Katie is wearing a black blouse with sheer sleeves, a brown and black printed long “shacket” and a crocodile effect faux leather skirt from Swagger Boutique; and chocolate brown booties from Arrow Tree Boutique. She is carrying a brown leather Cuoieria Fiorentina handbag From Rangoni Firenze. She is wearing yellow gold Italian woven and link necklaces, a diamond compass necklace, an Italian gold cuff and hourglass diamond motif link bracelet, A Bailey’s Club Collection Diamond flex cuff bracelet, Italian diamond earrings, a Facad’oro Italian band, a vintage horseshoe ring and Jose Hess diamond band from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry. (See the full jewelry index at the end of this feature.)
Kathleen is wearing a black pleated dress and taupe studded Western-style booties from Arrow Tree Boutique; a rhinestone fringe faux leather jacket from Enchanted on Main Boutique; and a chain belt provided by Stylist Sofia Lujan. She is carrying a white leather Cuoieria Fiorentina handbag from Rangoni Firenze. She is wearing a diamond necklace; white gold bangles, bracelets and hoops; and a diamond ring and “Big Girl X-Ring” from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry. (See the full jewelry index at the end of this feature.)
Julia is wearing a satin leopard printed blouse, graphic T-shirt, cropped dark jeans and military green combat boots from Arrow Tree Boutique. She is carrying a military green leather Cuoieria Fiorentina handbag from Rangoni Firenze. She is wearing a pear-shaped diamond necklace; a club collection Diamond tennis choker, cross pendent, bracelet, bangles and hoops; a bezel bangle; a geometric filligree solitaire ring; a bicolor gold and emerald ring; and an icon collection “weaver” ring from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry. (See the full jewelry index at the end of this feature.)
Katie is wearing a nude blazer, leopard print blouse, jeans with fringe and chocolate brown booties from Arrow Tree Boutique. She is carrying a brown leather print Rioni “Keira” handbag From Rangoni Firenze. She is wearing elizabeth locke yellow gold necklaces, bracelets and earring pendants; and yellow gold wide open, beaded, double-row wire and open claw rings from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry. (See the full jewelry index at the end of this feature.)
Kathleen is wearing a sage paisley maxi dress from Koket Boutique, a fringe vest provided by Stylist Sofia Lujan and chocolate brown booties from Arrow Tree Boutique. She is carrying a military green leather Cuoieria Fiorentina handbag from Rangoni Firenze. She is wearing a three stories yellow gold pendant on a turquoise beaded chain, open bezel stacker ring, turquoise band ring, and gold and turquoise band; and jude frances earring charms with turquoise and diamonds, a sterling silver bracelet, bangles, and a pear stone pavé ring from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry. (See the full jewelry index at the end of this feature.)
Katie is wearing a cream sweater with printed sleeves, black pants and Western-style gold boots from The Gatorbug Boutique. She is carrying a black leather Cuoieria Fiorentina handbag from Rangoni Firenze. She is wearing Marco Bicego Jaipur and Lucia necklaces, a Marco Bicego bracelet, bangle, wide hook hoops, Jaipur bands and two-row ring; and a Bailey’s Icon Collection “Maggie” ring from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry. (See the full jewelry index at the end of this feature.)
Julia is wearing a cream V-neck sweater dress from Koket Boutique, teal woven vest coat from Arrow Tree Boutique and caramel Western-style boots from Swagger Boutique. She is carrying a brown leather print Rioni “Keira” handbag from Rangoni Firenze. She is wearing an Ippolita sterling silver pendent, chain and heavy squiggle pavé bypass bangle; Ippolita yellow gold bangles, lollipop 3-drop earrings and a teardrop ring; and an Icon Collection yellow gold thin band and “belle ring” from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry. (See the full jewelry index at the end of this feature.)
JEWELRY YOUR WAY
Mix + Match What’s Meaningful
By Elyse Boldizar
Fall is the perfect season to experiment with layering, so why stop at clothing? Jewelry layering has peaked in popularity and is an innovative way to personalize any outfit.
Gemological Institute of America graduate and diamond expert Marci Bailey knows a thing or two about jewelry. She and her husband, Trey, are third-generation co-owners of Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, which was founded in 1948 and has locations in Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Greenville, Los Angeles and, soon, Cary. She is also the founder of Marcilla Bailey, a brand committed to helping women express themselves through jewelry.
Bailey unravels the mystery of why layering—mixing and matching different kinds of jewelry—is popular. “I think millennials and people in their 20s are loving the idea of throwing all those old rules out the window and being able to create something that is unique to [them],” she says. “The perfect way to do that is by mixing and matching different styles, different eras, different pieces that are maybe meaningful to you for different reasons.”
While there are certain guidelines for creating a cohesive look, part of the fun in layering jewelry is trying new things. Bailey recommends starting with a few signature pieces, then building your jewelry wardrobe around those. Her go-to pieces, for example, include the
MB Essentials diamond tennis necklace and an emerald ring. “Make sure you have some great basics that you can wear every single day, and then you’re able to add in other fun pieces that can meet your needs for the time—whether it’s a certain color that you’re really feeling for a season, or a loved one’s piece that you’ve recently acquired,” she says.
When it comes to mixing metals, Bailey says she has noticed more white and platinum metals paired with yellow gold in recent years. “Women who have had their white jewelry put away for years are starting to pull it back out,” Bailey says. “Rather than being like, ‘OK, I can’t wear these’, or ‘Maybe I need to scrap it and start over and figure something else out’, just incorporate some white into it. Mix the metals.”
The technique of building a look around signature pieces can be applied to rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. No matter what type of jewelry you are layering, play around with shapes, sizes and lengths to create a customized look, Bailey suggests. “The advice I always give women with jewelry is, wear what makes you feel your best,” she says. “It truly is a connection on a different level. When you find a piece that you absolutely love, it can make you feel powerful.”
THANK YOU
Midtown and Cary Living would like to thank the following people and businesses that made our fall fashion photo shoot possible.
Stylist Sofia Lujan | sofialujanstyling.com
Models Kathleen Holmes, Julia Kasper and Katie Shugg
MASH Photography | mash.photography
Arrow Tree Boutique | arrowtreeboutique.com
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry | baileybox.com
Bebe Ellis Salon | bebeellissalon.com
Carriage House Coffee | carriagehousecoffeenc.com
Enchanted on Main Boutique | enchantedonmain.com
Fenton | fentonnc.com
Fenton mural artist Louise Jones | ouizi.art
The Gatorbug Boutique | thegatorbug.com
Koket Boutique | shopkbnc.com
Rangoni Firenze | rangonistore.com
Swagger Boutique | shopswaggernow.com
JEWELRY INDEX
All jewelry provided by Bailey’s Fine Jewelry
Jewelry worn by Kathleen in corduroy top, sweater vest and geometric print black and white pants. Necklaces: round diamonds with halo in a pear-shaped smile pendant (14 inches) totaling 0.52 carats; 18 karat white gold diamond by the yard (34 inches) with 10 bezel-set round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 2.34 carats; 18 karat white gold graduated Riviera necklace with round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 20.98 carats. Bracelets: 18 karat white gold tennis bracelet totaling 12.10 carats; 14 karat white gold hinge bracelet with three rows of diamonds totaling 2.55 carats; from Bailey’s Club collection – 0.47 carat diamond bangle (14 inches) featuring polished gold center with pavé diamond edge on front half of bracelet. Earrings: 18 karat white gold open circle earrings with 26 mixed shape diamonds totaling 4.62 carats. Rings: 18 karat white gold open wrap pavé ring totaling 2.50 carats; from Bailey’s Club collection – “The Lauren” ring, 14 karat white gold three-row ring with 8 bezel-set diamonds; from Bailey’s Goldmark collection – “The Trinity” ring, 14 karat white gold ring with pavé triangle and single bezel-set diamond on opposite sides of shank.
Jewelry worn by Katie in black blouse with sheer sleeves, brown and black printed long “shacket” and crocodile effect faux leather skirt. Necklaces: diamond compass necklace, 14 karat yellow gold chain (18 inches); diamond weight is 2.71 carats. From Bailey’s Estate and Antique collection – 14 karat yellow gold modern vintage Italian woven necklace (18 inches), circa 1980; 18 karat yellow gold modern vintage Italian link necklace (27.5 inches), circa 1970. Bracelets: From Bailey’s Club collection – diamond flex cuff bracelet with alternating diamonds totaling 1.75 carats; from Bailey’s Estate and Antique collection – 18 karat yellow gold Italian Piero Milano Synthesis diamond cuff, circa 1980; 14 karat yellow and white gold Italian hourglass diamond motif link bracelet, circa 1980. Earrings: From Baileys’s Estate and Antique collection – 18 karat yellow gold Italian Piero Milano Synthesis earrings, circa 1980. Rings: From Bailey’s Estate and Antique collection – 18 karat yellow gold FaCad’oro Italian hammered tapered band; 14 karat yellow gold vintage horseshoe nuggets totaling 0.50 carats; 18 karat yellow gold vintage Jose Hess three-row-wide diamond band totaling 2.70 carats, circa 1980.
Jewelry worn by Julia in printed blouse, graphic T-shirt and cropped dark jeans. Necklaces: from Bailey’s Club collection – diamond tennis choker totaling 0.95 carats (18 inches); 14 karat yellow gold cross pendant totaling 1.0 carats (18 inches); 14 karat white gold pear-shaped diamond necklace totaling 1.3 carats. Bracelets: 14 karat yellow gold bezel bangle with tapered band and bezel-set emerald cut in center; from Bailey’s Club collection – 14 karat white gold flexi double-wrap bracelet (can cross over or sit side by side) totaling 2.75 carats; 14 karat yellow gold bangle with 7 bezel-set round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 0.32 carats; 14 karat white gold diamond link bangle totaling 0.48 carats. Earrings: from Bailey’s Club collection – 14 karat white gold tapered oval inside-outside hoop totaling 1.73 carats. Rings: from Bailey’s Estate and Antique collection – 14 karat yellow gold late retro geometric filigree solitaire ring with 4.73 carats of oval cabochon jade set in smooth bezel, circa 1950; bicolor gold, emerald and gem-set ring; from Bailey’s Icon collection – 14 karat gold 4.5-millimeter “Weaver” curb link ring.
Jewelry worn by Kathleen in black pleated dress and a rhinestone fringe faux leather jacket. Necklace: 18 karat white/yellow gold, fancy yellow pear and round diamond necklace totaling 32.67 carats. Bracelets: 18 karat white gold hinge bangle with three X stations and top half all pavé, totaling 1.26 carats; 14 karat white gold open flex bangle with three rows of diamonds across the front half totaling 2.0 carats; 14 karat white gold open flex bangle with four rows of diamonds across the front half totaling 2.85 carats; from Bailey’s Club collection – 14 karat white gold line bracelet with 56 bezel-set graduated diamonds totaling 1.90 carats. Earrings: 14 karat white gold inside-outside hoops totaling 7.56 carats. Rings: crisscut L’Amour ring with pear and round diamonds totaling 3.95 carats; from Bailey’s Club collection – “Big Girl X-Ring” 14 karat white gold crossover bridge ring totaling 1.16 carats.
Jewelry worn by Katie in nude blazer, leopard print blouse and jeans with fringe. Necklaces: Elizabeth Locke 19 karat yellow gold, black jade links banded with gold connectors (17 inches); Elizabeth Locke 19 karat yellow gold octagonal horse with four 2-millimeter diamonds on a 19 karat yellow gold Giulia link necklace with gold toggle (21 inches). Bracelets: Elizabeth Locke Venetian glass intaglio “Cherub With Sails” and “Cherub With Seahorse” cuffs; Elizabeth Locke 19 karat yellow gold heavy oval link bracelet with hammered finish; Elizabeth Locke 19 karat yellow gold diamond Celtic link bracelet totaling 0.61 carats. Earrings: Elizabeth Locke 19 karat yellow gold crystal Venetian glass intaglio earring pendants in oval on 19 karat yellow gold big baby hammered hoops with three diamonds. Rings: 14 karat yellow gold wide open cut-out ring with 1.70 carat oval opal center stone and pavé on front half of the ring; 14 karat yellow gold beaded eternity ring; 14 karat yellow gold double-row wire ring; 14 karat yellow gold open claw cuff-style ring.
Jewelry worn by Julia in cream V-neck sweater dress and teal woven vest coat. Necklaces: Ippolita sterling silver Classico long, squiggle-stick long drop pendant; Ippolita 18 karat gold Glamazon long chain with hammered elements. Bracelets: Ippolita sterling silver Stardust heavy squiggle pavé bypass hinged bangle totaling 1.09 carats; Ippolita 19 karat yellow gold Classico flat hammered bangle; Ippolita sterling silver and 19 karat yellow gold Chimera Classico hammered jet set bracelet; Ippolita 18 karat Rock Candy Hero Gelato hinge bangle in flirt. Earrings: Ippolita 18 karat yellow gold lollipop small three-stone drop earrings in waterfall turquoise, Swiss blue topaz, clear quartz, mother-of-pearl and amazonite. Rings: Ippolita 18 karat yellow gold Stardust crinkle teardrop ring totaling 0.33 carats; from Bailey’s Icon collection – 14 karat yellow gold tink 2.5-millimeter bamboo band ring,; “Belle Ring” featuring 0.9 carats of diamonds set in 14 karat white gold in crossover pattern.
Jewelry worn by Kathleen in sage paisley maxi dress and fringe vest. Necklaces: Three Stories 14 karat yellow gold medium-sized love lock pendant with 0.17 carats of diamonds on a 14 karat yellow gold sparkling sea turquoise Three Stories beaded chain (18 inches). Bracelets: JudeFrances sterling silver and 18 karat yellow gold mixed metal double-woven rope trip bracelet with turquoise stations and diamonds; JudeFrances sterling silver and 18 karat yellow gold Moroccan star bangle with diamonds; Three Stories sterling silver and 14 karat yellow gold wide Starry Night two-toned bangle with diamonds. Earrings: JudeFrances 18 karat yellow gold large pear stone earring charms with turquoise and diamonds on JudeFrances 18 karat yellow gold Provence small hoop earrings. Rings: Three Stories 14 karat yellow gold graduated open bezel stacker ring; Three Stories 14 karat yellow gold tiny sparkling sea turquoise band ring with diamonds; Three Stories 14 karat yellow gold classic gold and turquoise band with hammered bezels; Jude Frnaces 18 karat yellow gold Lisse sideways pear stone pavé ring with diamonds.
Jewelry worn by Katie in cream sweater with printed sleeves and black pants. Necklaces: Marco Bicego 18 karat yellow gold Jaipur collection engraved and polished charm lariat with diamond pavé clasp; Marco Bicego 18 karat yellow gold Lucia collection small link necklace (36 inches); Marco Bicego 18 karat yellow gold hand-engraved Siviglia Grande necklace (16 inches). Bracelets: Marco Bicego 18 karat yellow and white gold three-strand Masai collection bracelet totaling 1.14 carats; from Bailey’s Club collection – 14 karat yellow gold 3-millimeter hinge bangle with 11 diamonds stationed on front. Earrings: Marco Bicego 18 karat yellow gold Lunaria collection large wide-hook hoop earrings. Rings: Marco Bicego 18 karat yellow gold Jaipur band with alternating polished and hand-engraved discs; Marco Bicego 18 karat yellow and white gold Jaipur link five-row band ring; Marco Biceo 19 karat yellow gold hand-engraved Lucia two-row ring with space between rows; from Bailey’s Icon collection – 14 karat yellow gold “Maggie” ring with diamond oval pavé.
