Guest Curator: Erica Hanks’s Favorite Picks for Fall 2017

After spending the past few weeks flipping through fashion magazines and browsing the new fall arrivals at our favorite stores via Instagram, we were feeling overwhelmed with autumn style inspiration. To help us zero in on pieces that will help us look chic and current throughout the season, we asked Charlotte, North Carolina-based wardrobe stylist Erica Hanks to share her favorite trends for fall 2017. Here are her top picks, as well as our suggestions for how to achieve the look locally throughout the TSG network:

Red. Red is a powerful color that can be intimidating, but it’s definitely worth trying for fall, as the strong tone mixes well with a variety of subdued hues and prints. Even if a lot of red isn’t your thing, a touch of it done well—in an accessory, for example—can really make a bold statement. Get the look with the No. 21 belt in red (featured above) available from Hampden Clothing in Charleston, South Carolina.

Fur (real or faux). Fur in any capacity—real or faux—is once again having a fall moment! In the south, temperatures stay warm well into the season, so a good way to wear it is in small doses, whether in a detail like a sleeve or a wrap, or in a more unexpected way like a bag or shoe embellishment. Get the look with the Harvey Faircloth pullover with faux fur available from Scarpa in Charlottesville, Virginia.

70’s Plaid. This era has had a resurgence for the last few seasons by way of silhouettes, but now the decade’s retro patterns are finding new life. Find a plaid that works for your body style and one that can be mixed and matched for everything from casual to formal looks. Get the look with a Ganni plaid flared dress available from Pilot and Powell in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Glitter. From shoes to clothing to accessories, glitter adds a subtle sparkle and is a sophisticated alternative to sequins. Get the look with the Golden Goose glitter mid-star sneaker available from Coplon’s in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Florals. Mix this springtime print with your fall textures and patterns for an eclectic personal style. Keep at least one similar color when blending patterns for an intentional feel. Get the look with the Minnie Floral Dress available from McKenzie Claire in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Button details. Whimsical, or even tiny multiple buttons are popping up in a few collections, and we will see this trend through the spring as well. Having strategic buttons can add an unexpected detail and set your looks apart. Get the look with the Alexis Inna Lace Blouse available from Marissa Collections in Naples, Florida.

Velvet. We saw velvet in a few collections last spring and it is going to be bigger than ever in fall! Velvet is a great way to add interest, and now you’ll find a variety of ways to wear it for day to night. In the past, we thought of velvet as a holiday fabric, but with the lighter shades and fabric weights, it’s definitely a luxe texture to add to your fall mix. Get the look with a Harris Wharf Technic Velvet Smoking Jacket available from Hampden Clothing in Charleston, South Carolina.

ERICA HANKS is a wardrobe stylist whose work extends beyond her group of professionals, athletes, and well-known men and women across the country to commercial and editorial wardrobe styling for corporate companies, national campaigns, catalogs, TV segments and magazines. Her personal clients have been featured in national and international media outlets such as The Huffington Post, Vogue TV, Marie Claire, and the UK’s Daily Mail. Erica lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband and children.

Photo of Erica Hanks by Angela Cox.