[Fall]ing: For Leather and Lace...oh, and also mesh and french terry

This past week, Laura, Rebecca and I bustled about Coterie, D&A and Sole Commerce perusing the Fall 2010 collections and taking note of what you'll see in-store and on the streets this Fall. Attending my first buying show was an amazing experience. Between catching a sneak peak at Fall and writing our orders for July, August and September and meeting some of my favorite designers, I can honestly say that my job is far too much fun. 

While I don't want to ruin the surprise, here's what I can report back:

Year after year we hang onto the ways the cultural zeitgeist inspires the way the world speaks, behaves, and most importantly for us, dresses. In a post-economic downturn era where the Democratic Party has gained the upper-hand, the workplace has become more casual, logos are disappearing from handbags and wallets, and flannel, leather and french terry have taken over the Fall fashion. Get excited now to cozy up with comfortable, yet fashion-forward, pieces.

For both work and play, Boston tends to clean up nicely. Bostonians love dress pants, button downs and pearls the way Los Angelistas love sandals and maxi dresses, and that's why Fall's juxtaposition of leather, ponte, french terry and flannel with lace, mesh and fine silks will fit our fine little city like a [leather] glove.

Last year, zippers exposed on heavy black fabrics represented a sense of rebellion in the fashion world. This coming Fall, however, the sharpness of these edgy looks has been softened. Leather jackets have soft curves, ponte leggings feature rich leather and suede paneling, florals are big and blossoming and french terry sweaters with lace and mesh detail bring us from Kurt Cobain to 90210.

Prints are all the rage as florals, tribals, and plaids clean up with softer cuts and details, but remain tough with leather edging. Even cardigans are cool for Fall... while drapey-ness remains, equestrian detailing sophisticates ultra casual cuts. For dresses, mesh, sequins and raw edge silks feminize edgier leather and ponte bodies.  

We caught up with friends, and the looks, at Alice + Olivia, Paul & Joe Sister, Rory Beca, Karen Zambo, Amanda Uprichard, Parker, BB Dakota and many more, and also introduced ourselve to some new lines that'll hit CB this Summer. Soon enough our favorite lines will hang between new additions. We can't wait to get our first deliveries from Pavionne, Sine, Parameter, Ramona LaRue, Rails and JJ Winters. It should prove to be a very exciting Autumn at Crush Boutique. 

...In fact, I don't think I've ever been more excited for Fall...

So what were our favorite trends?

Well, while I'm dying for the perfect pair of ponte and leather equestrian riding pants, tribal beaded dresses and bow detailed winter coats, Rebecca's crushing on plaid, oversized silk tops and 80s inspired leather jackets... and Laura? Well, look out for Laura... because come July, (when our Fall deliveries will start) she'll be the one blinding the neighborhood with an unannounced number of intensely sparkly sequined dresses... Sunglasses, please? 

Brianne