Fall 2013 fashion goes back to basics with plaid and houndstooth

(This houndstooth dress from JC Penney has modern touches — like black and white colorblocking and faux leather trim)
By Brittany Anas
The standout fall trend this year is, well, not all that trendy. Houndstooth, plaid and simple silhouettes on dresses are dominating the racks this fall as fashion goes back to the classics.
Last fall, prints went crazy — loudly patterning pants and skirts — and we witnessed an explosion of bright, saturated colors. But, this autumn, the “in” styles are more conservative, polished and refined. As budget-conscious shoppers, this thrills us because we know these plaid prints and black-and-white houndstooth patterns are quintessential fall staples that will return year after year. Consider them investment pieces that will look new and fresh every autumn while other trends come and go.
If you’re looking to add some more classic prints to your wardrobe, follow us on over to JC Penney –– where there are some great sales happening now on fall apparel and the pieces are already at affordable price points. (Plus, you’ll get 4 percent Cash Back on your JC Penney purchases when you buy through ShopAtHome.com).
Plaid: The always-popular pattern is most noticeably appearing on pants this fall — especially slim-legged trousers. They add a little bit of personality to your wardrobe and work even in some more conservative office settings. For work, wear your plaid pants with a crisp white Oxford and some simple cognac or black pumps. For fun, pair them with a graphic T-shirt and cotton blazer. One pair that caught are attention is these Liz Claiborne slim-leg plaid pants, on sale for $30.
Houndstooth: The duo-toned, broken check pattern has been appearing on clothes since the late-1800’s. Houndstooth (or puppy’s tooth for the smaller checks) has such a chic and classic appeal. We are drooling over several houndstooth variations at JC Penney — including this $48 Worthington suit jacket perfect for the office and this $40 sleeveless dress that has modern updates, like black and white colorblocking and faux leather accents.
Tip: Get the most out of your classic pieces by having them dry cleaned at the end of the season.
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