Falling Into This Season's Fashion Trends

Courtesy of Michael Kors

A big part of delivering your message, meeting your goals and reaching your dreams, is about showing up looking presentable! No one wins a bid, gets seed funding or clutches an interview for your dream job wearing a potato sack. And contrary to belief that most men and women in the Silicon Valley don't know how to dress; (READ: company logo wear is NOT a style!!) even our most challenged know to show up to an interview wearing clean socks and a business professional jacket. So this week, rather than give you my usual motivational tidbits to kick off your Monday morning, I'm sharing with you my five favorite fall trends for this season.

1) Camel - Specifically a camel boyfriend jacket. It's my latest obsession for fall. The boyfriend jacket has become such a staple in every stylish gal's closet and can be worn for work or play. Changing up the color from the usual black to camel makes for a classic, clean fall look that will get you through the winter. Mix it up with a black and white outfit like Michael Kors did in his show (refer to photo) or go head to toe (H2T) in winter whites and you'll look so chic!

2) Gray Tones - Wearing gray H2T can look fab or drab depending on how you pair your pieces and mix up the tones. Wear a one note and you'll look like one lonely stormy cloud. But mix up the tones and throw in a small punch of color - or wear a crisp white shirt, if you prefer to play it safe - and you'll look put together and ready to power play.

3) Separates - The dress is certainly not dead but it has definitely made some fashionistas lazy with wardrobe creativity! Yes, it's easy to mindlessly throw on a dress and head out the door but for many reasons along with the obvious like colder weather, the dress can take a rest. Instead, go for a pair of well tailored slacks with a smart top (possibly with that camel jacket) and you're ready to go!

4) Boots - Every girl's favorite fall accessory are boots. And there are plenty of them this season in all different heights, shapes and sizes. When all else fails when you're getting dressed, you know you can always resort to wearing a great pair of boots to jazz up your outfit and add a little sex appeal to your look. And no matter what anyone says to you or what fashion magazines you read, according to my philosophy of style, the kitten heel was never in...in order to be back! Wear a heel or wear a flat but what the heck is a kitten heel, especially with a dress or skirt?! Unless you have modelesque legs and stand 5'10", you'll make yourself look like you have tree trunks for legs. Don't do it. BUT if you just cannot help yourself, hide them under those lovely pair of slacks I mentioned earlier. God forbid I see you on the street in a skirt and kitten heels! I'll give you the evil eye and a ticket for a major fashion offense.

5) Minimalism - Coco Chanel tells us that before we leave the house, we should look at all the accessories we're wearing and take one off. Rachel Zoe would tell you to pile three or five more pieces on. Well this season, give your accessories a mini vacay. Keep your jewelry simple. Let your look be about all the clean lines and quality of your clothes and forget all the jingle jangle. We don't need to know that you're coming halfway down the hall. It gives everyone way too much time to quiet down their chatter about your jangles before you arrive.

Feeling inspired to look your best this season or just feeling overwhelmed because fashion "isn't your thing"? Don't fret, my pretties! Next week, we'll take off the rack...to off the hook!