The first-ever CultureMap Social kicks off the fall fashion season Tuesday night with Houston's hottest fashion bloggers, each of whom are paired with a local boutique to dress them for the event. We asked the featured bloggers to tell us their favorite trends.
According to all of the bloggers we spoke to by email, you should definitely have some leather pieces in your wardrobe this fall. Magen Pastor, who will be wearing an ensemble from Sam and Lilli, said her favorite fall trends include leather pants, high-heeled boots, sheer blouses and leather sleeve denim jackets.
"I am totally in love with all that they are doing with leather and vegan leather this season."
Leigh Evans of Girl Around Town and Mischelle Echeverria of Houstonista both said they love leather-accented pants or leather leggings. "I am totally in love with all that they are doing with leather and vegan leather this season. Whether its a leather panel sweatshirt, leather leggings or leather shorts — leather punches up your outfit to the next level of chic," Evans says. "You might just catch me in a pair of awesome vegan leather shorts from WildBloom boutique on Tuesday night!"
Echeverria, who will be wearing styles from Cakewalk Style Shop and Shop Six Twenty, can't wait to scout out some cool-looking over-the-knee boots. "I am completely obsessed with finding the perfect pair," she says.
Julie Bortnick of From Prosecco to Plaid, whose ensemble for the event will be from several boutiques, considers the "rocker chic" look by far the best trend for fall. "I love leather elements and anything with a bit of an edge," she says. (Bortnick and CultureMap editor-in-chief Clifford Pugh will host a VIP reception for the fashion crowd at the event.)
Lauren Mills of Sunday Beach Blog, who will be wearing an ensemble from Carrie Ann Boutique, loves the stylish versatility of a leather motorcycle jacket. "Throw one on with jeans and a tee or add a little edge to a feminine dress. It's an easy way to update any look for fall," she says.
Leather shoulders or quilted panels can also add a "sporty chic" style to a sweatshirt, says Issa Chou of We Wear Things. Chou, who will be wearing a look from Cakewalk Style Shop, adds that her favorite fall trend is the mixing of textures. "I absolutely love rich fabrics, like brocade, jacquard and quilting, which is great with skirts and dresses," she says.
Katy Atlas of Sugarlaws, who will wear clothes from Tootsies, told us she also loves leather accents for fall as well as jewel tones.
A regular at New York fashion week, Pugh says we mustn't forget about men's fashion trends. Among his favorite menswear looks for fall is a dinner jacket in a jewel-tone color, like burgundy or deep blue, that makes a bold fashion statement. "You can dress it up for a formal occasion, with a tux shirt and tie, or pair with jeans and an open-necked shirt for a more casual look," he says.
As for women, among the big trends he saw for fall at the New York shows were a luxe ladylike look (a sleek pencil skirt and blouse or a flowy dress are among the styles), menswear-inspired looks (Rag & Bone, in particular, present crisp styles from herringbone fabrics) and shades of gray.
The bloggers and boutiques will gather at the CultureMap Social Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Saint Genevieve, 2800 Kirby. Admission is $25 (tickets available here). Complimentary cocktails and light bites will be provided and the first 150 guests will receive coveted CultureMap swag, presented by BeautyNow. Get your wrist fitted by a HUBLOT specialist in the HUBLOT Hot Spot and register to win a pair of golden tickets to Babette's private press preview and debut, The Night Circus, presented by Velvet Slipper Divine.
Guests will also be able learn about YTAC (Young Texans Against Cancer) and Houston Ballet's Ballet Barre young professional programs and can snap selfies with Smilebooth, presented by Yellow Cab.
Biker chic: Vince textured boucle leather jacket, $695, Nordstrom
