Lifestyles

With fall's panorama of equestrian-inspired clothes in herringbone tweeds, riding boots and some cheeky surprises of plaid and King's Row punk iconography, a British fashion invasion has arrived.

The "AngloMania" exhibition this summer at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art might have been a hint of what was to come. The exhibit featured historical costumes alongside those by England's most anarchic designers, such as Vivienne Westwood.

Likewise, a heavy dose of rollicking and traditional British-inspired pieces can be found in fall fashion collections. From a saucy red Tartan plaid wool cocktail dress by Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. label to Oscar de la Renta's white jabot collared blouses, designers are evoking a sassy "to the manner born" style.

"The whole season is dramatic. It's just so different from last year," says Carol Hackett, clothing manager and buyer at Footloose at The Galleria in Mt. Lebanon.

The resurgent skinny-legged, dark denim jean -- tucked into a flat-heeled boot -- offers casual but commanding style worn with long cardigan sweaters and blouses underneath.

"For the past three years, we've seen pretty little chiffon dresses in pastels and floral prints with ribbons (worn with) the delicate jewelry piled on, and with delicate shoes. Now everything is so bold and strong," says Richard Bryan, fashion stylist in visual merchandising at Saks Fifth Avenue, Downtown.

Narrow-legged dark denim jeans or leggings worn with thigh-grazing sweaters or tweed blazers layered over delicate underpinnings, such as ruffled silk blouses, balance feminine and sporty accents and create a beautiful silhouette. Some of fall's favored flat footwear completes the outfit. If the omnipresent "riding boot" seems a bit stiff or costume-y with some outfits, pointy or round-toed ballet flats give a chic, easygoing polish to the ensemble.

Selections in the au courant skinny-legged, plain-pocketed dark blue or black denim, velvet, or velvety soft corduroy stretch jeans by J. Brand and Vince abound at Footloose. Cashmere cardigans and long V-neck sweaters by Vince, Trina Turk and Margaret O'Leary also are found at Footloose, along with a silk ruffled blouse in magenta, mustard and espresso paisley by Trina Turk. For an accent on the waist exuding a crisp, confident shape, Footloose carries a selection of wide burnished brown and black leather belts by Juicy Couture.

At Saks, "We have a great pair of stretch wool Missoni pants in black or chocolate brown. They're almost like a ski pant, where they have the stitched-in crease, but they're the nice heavier weight because a lot of women don't want to wear those thin leggings. These are a more adult answer to a legging," Bryan says. Classically tailored tweed jackets and paisley silk blouses from the Ralph Lauren Black Label collection can also be found at Saks.

When more formal occasions call for trading in one's breeches for a skirt, J.Crew's subtle A-line, mid-calf-length wool Herringbone Ryder skirt -- coordinating with its cropped waist-banded, single-button vented jacket -- is lovely in a variety of colors, including heather oatmeal, tomato, dark cypress or nickel.

"Because we work in a very classic realm, a lot of it is about the detail, and sometimes the detail is actually on the inside," says Jenna Lyon, head designer for women's wear at J.Crew.

Looking inside the Ryder jacket reveals a surprise of candy pink-colored wide grosgrain ribbon covering the waistband and a heraldic crest in bright regal hues. Turning up the collar of the Ryder reveals a glimpse of silk menswear tie prints in coordinating vivid colors.

"We took inspiration from some old European crests, reinterpreting them and embroidering them on the inside of the jacket," Lyon says.

At Maxalto in Shadyside, further sassy inspiration drawn from the British Isles is discovered in a curve-hugging, red plaid wool cocktail dress with a narrow skirt, embossed black leather belt at the waist, and box-pleated ruffles at the bust and back bottom hem by L.A.M.B.

"Gwen Stefani did a lot of plaids because she loves Vivienne Westwood," says Marta Putas, owner of Maxalto.

Erickson Beamon's choker necklaces and dangle earrings incorporating safety pins, skull-and-crossbones symbols with black jet beads, tartan plaid fabric and chains draped in elegant 18th-century forms also can be found at Maxalto.

"A lot of designers are printing skulls all over everything and creating jewelry incorporating symbols Westwood originally used in her early designs," Putas says.

"It's basically taken from the movement that started in the late '70s or early '80s in England."

How to wear fall's fashions

Exude casual, crisp sartorial flair in some of fall's British-inspired pieces with some tips from the experts:

• Wear longer layers, such as a cardigan sweater over a silk blouse over skinny-legged jeans that have some stretch for comfort.

• Cinch longer layers on top with one of fall's wide leather belts for hips or waists.

-- Carol Hackett, store manager and buyer at Footloose at The Galleria in Mt. Lebanon

• For support and coverage, find thick leggings that are more like pants than hosiery.

• Try thick leggings with a cape or fitted jacket, a pair of riding-style boots or ankle boots, and long black leather gloves.

--Richard Bryan, fashion stylist in visual merchandising at Saks Fifth Avenue, Downtown

• Accessorize a sophisticated, elegant formal or semi-formal dress with an cheeky piece of jewelry with a skull-and-crossbones symbol.

-- Antoinette DePasquale, store manager of Maxalto, Shadyside

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