Fall into Fashion with Burnt Orange

Ladies, it's fall!  That time of the year when the leaves are changing, the weather is cooler, and your DVR is filled with crappy shows that will mercifully be cancelled after three episodes.  (The Event, anyone?  Anyone?)

So it's time to take those cute summer sundresses and hang them upstairs in your closet, where they will hibernate all winter.  Like a grizzly bear.*

But what to wear for fall? There's the usual assortment of skinny jeans, flared leg jeans, black leather pants (see previous post), plaids, and stripes.  But this season, fashion is taking it's cues from the changing leaves of nature.  This season's hot new color is burnt orange.

For those of you who don't immediately know what burnt orange is, I feel sorry for you.  You grew up without a 64-count box of crayola crayons, and that is a sad, sad, childhood.  This would also mean you don't know what 'cornflower blue' is, which I predict will be a hot color in spring of 2012.  So here is a sample of burnt orange:


Oooh, ahhhh....pretty.  The best thing about this color is that it is gender neutral.  Men and women alike can wear it, and ladies, unlike pink, you don't need to tell your man that, "It's not pink, it's salmon."  If he still objects, tell him it reminds you of his rugged fire-building skills.**

Here, top models show how burnt orange can be taken to a high fashion level.  Notice the gold emphasizes the burnt orange's warmth.  (Although this model's smile doesn't add any warmth.  I doubt she's going to be hanging out at any campfires and keggers though- her loss).

Orange at Philip Lim, Carolina Herrera, and Charles Nolan.
Photo from Omiru,com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For all of us who will be attending campfires, keggers, and other pressing social engagements, burnt orange can be worn in a variety of ways.  It looks great as a sweater or long-sleeved shirt, but if you're not ready to make the plunge with a full article of clothing, check out a pair of burnt orange shoes or purse.  I personally like burnt orange scarves.  They add just enough color and flare to a simple outfit without taking it over the top.
 
Now, as you notice above, designers can take artistic liberty with burnt orange.  It may not look the same from designer to designer and store to store.  But know the difference between burnt orange and looking like you need a produce label.  Bright orange should be worn with caution, and then, at your own risk.  As always, wear burnt orange responsibly.  One piece per outfit, and go easy on the accessories.  There's way too much going on with the lady on the left here.

However, she will be safe if she goes deer hunting.  Hunters will see her from miles away.  And even deers will judge her and laugh.

*However, if you find yourself nostalgic for summer, you can go sit in the closet and cry with your sundresses.  No so much with a polar bear.  Although they seem quite cuddly.

**Never mind that he can't start a grill without using a gallon of firestarter.