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Ask An OC Stylist: Putting Together Your Best Fall Look

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(credit: istockphoto)

It is that time of year again where we set aside our summer attire in place of fall clothing. With so many fall styles to choose from, we could easily find ourselves lost in a sea of clothing. This is where a trusted stylist comes in to help us sort out the do's and don'ts for the season. Top OC stylist Laura M. Leininger takes the flap out of style and renders some useful tips on how to put together your best fall look.

Laura M. Leininger
Orange County, CA
(408) 966-9401Laura has always been dedicated to helping others find their personal style. Laura's ventures into fashion began in college where Laura started her own personal shopping business. From there, Laura went on to work in the design department at BCBG Max Azria in Los Angeles, and then on to styling the host of the KDOCLA television show "What's Up Orange County." Laura now works out of Orange County as a personal wardrobe stylist, image consultant and event designer. You can track Laura's experiences on her personal blog: www.a-styled-life.blogspot.com where she shares insight and tips on everything from fashion to food.
Shopping & Style Tailor, Dress
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Tailoring is a must for layering
In the fall months, we tend to wear more layers. Layering can cause ill-fitting clothes to bunch up. This adds excess and unflattering bulk to your figure. It is a must to buy tailored clothes that not only fit well but also make layering pieces like button-down shirts and sweaters more comfortable to wear together.

Denim
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Dark denim is always in style
Dark denim is an easy piece to incorporate to your wardrobe for the fall. The best thing about dark denim is it can be dressed up or down. It can be paired with your favorite sweaters for an easy weekend look, paired with a blazers for casual Fridays in the office and paired with a silky blouse and heels for an elegant evening look.

Street Style Day 2 - MBFWA S/S 2013Have a blazer on hand
Blazers can really be paired with anything: pants, skirts, dresses, etc. They can go from the office to drinks after work, to doubling as an alternative jacket on the weekends. They are designed to be worn over other pieces of clothing, which makes them easy to wear. If tailored well, a blazer will flatter any body shape. Throwing on a blazer as opposed to a cardigan will really give you a more tailored and structured look.

Related: Best Personal Stylist And Shoppers In OC

Ballet Flats
(credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Buy ballet flats
Living in a warmer climate sometimes makes it hard for us to part with our flip flops. However, having a stylish ballet flat on hand will make it easier for you to part ways with your flip flops during the fall and winter months. Ballet flats come in almost every color and can also be fun with a little bit of embellishment or print on them. Slipping on a ballet flat will pull your whole outfit together and make you look more polished.

Woman in Scarf
Photo credit: istockphoto

Invest in colorful bib necklaces and/or silk scarfs
In the fall, we almost always wear darker and more muted colored clothes (as oppose to the spring and summer months). Buying jewelry and scarves with brighter, richer colors makes it easy to add a pop of color to your fall wardrobe. It can also make a seemingly boring outfit a little more fun. Switching out bold accessories also allows you to wear your basics more often without anyone knowing. People always remember exciting accessories and not necessarily the clothes you wore them with.Related: OC's Best Shops For Fall Jackets

Barbara Akowuah is a freelance journalist based in Southern California. As a fashion examiner who is privy to style, Barbara loves to write about fashion and how it relates to the Los Angeles scene. Barbara loves to dish out the latest trends, style tips, and inside scoop. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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