Leather is huge for fall, not only for solid, full garments but also in many different iterations and for trims of every kind- be it perforated, laser cut, piping along sleeves, as a collar or cuff- you name it! Leather is the name of the game this season.

Incorporate leather into your daily arsenal through subtle details.  Accessories like bags, shoes, and gloves are an easy bet, but think about adding a leather band to your favorite floppy wool hat, or suede elbow patches on a much-loved sweater.  It’s not always about finding something new, but also about taking what you already know and love and revamping it to make it relevant for today.

Textured leather is also very au-courant; pebbled leather is always a classic but look for leathers in laser-cut lace, lattice, or perforated (a fun, and a bit edgy, spin on the polka dot trend!).  These textured neutral pieces will mix and match with everything you already got going on in that wardrobe.

You don’t need to don a full on leather shift dress to participate in this trend (although if you do go that route, more power to you!). Look for trims and texture in leather, and you’re good to go.

Every girl wants to look put together and fashionable, but many of us are on some sort of budget. Those that master the art of hi / lo mixing; aka mixing designer and couture duds with fast fashion or plain classic cheapies, will always win the game! The trick is to know where to spend your money and know where you can get away with spending less. Not everyone will land on the same items having the most value, but our little guide can help you get started in the right direction!

When to splurge: Yes, we all know, it can be difficult not to splurge all the time.  On the other hand, for some it is difficult to splurge at all!  Sometimes, an item is definitely worth the big bucks- whether that means shopping right off the runway, at specialty boutiques, or finding vintage and resale treasures. Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering an item:

- Does it match my style aesthetic?  Does it go with multiple things in my wardrobe or even everything in my wardrobe?

- Is it that perfect piece that is an eye-catching “outfit completer” that (again) totally exudes my style?

- How many times do I envision wearing this in the next year? In the next 10 years? What is my cost per wear (cost of item divided by number of times worn). Does this seem reasonable to me?

- How will I have to care for this item?  (Remember that dry cleaning things often will quickly increase that once-reasonable cost per wear!).

- Is this something I can keep forever, and pass down to my grandchildren? Will it become a family keepsake and heritage?

- Will this piece be ‘in style’ for a while, or is it super trendy?  How long do I think I’ll be able to wear this without totally dating myself?

You definitely don’t need to have solid answers for every question, but these are helpful things to keep in mind. Have fun splurging…and come back next week for tips on where you can be a little thrifty!

Animal prints can make a chic statement whatever the season, but this fall they are especially a hit!  Here are some ideas to add some serious spark to your outfit by layering in this new wardrobe neutral.

If you’re brave enough to sport an allover print in a bold skirt, pant, or outerwear piece, by all means do! Printed bottoms are most definitely the rage right now, and a chic leopard topper, although bold, will last you years.  Pair with tonal accessories or a pop color.  Right now, cobalt blue or a rich burgundy would be the perfect current complement for your wild print.

Or, go for an easier way to incorporate the trend via accessories- accents like leopard-dyed ponyhair and snakeskin wrap bracelets instantly update your look without having to be a big commitment.  You could even go more tonal with snakeskin-embossed leather in solid tones.  Just choose for something other than benign black- a rich midnight blue or wine color is always gorgeous in embossed leather.

Whatever route you choose, add that pop of print that is so right now, yet so something that will be relevant for years to come.

Lace has been a trend for the past few runway seasons- and has definitely made it into the mainstream.  If you haven’t included a piece in your wardrobe yet, you could even pull out something from your tantes’ closet that you never knew what to do with- this fall is the time for them to shine!  The question is, how to wear lace without it looking too costume-y or frumpy?  Here are our ideas!

1/ Color. Brightly colored lace is huge this season, but if you don’t want to splurge on a new piece, layer your existing black or neutral lace with a pop of color underneath.  You can still get away with a pop of neon, or, for a more fall-forward subdued look, try a rich burgundy or emerald green.  A nice mustard yellow would hit the mark for something in between, and a navy under-layer would turn black lace into a more tone-on-tone, modern look.

2/ Modern pairings. Yes, if you pair your lace getup with vintage booties and a corset, you might look a bit dated.  But, paired with fierce modern accessories, like slick coated denim or a leather jacket, you’ll be good to go and that pop of lace will add some totally current allure. Also, play with texture- just because you’re wearing lace doesn’t mean you can’t pile on other textures like leather, fur, and glittery accessories.

3/ Proportions.  It’s always important to play with proportions- if you have a lace top with a high neckline, balance with a shorter skirt or even some tailored shorts.  A short lace dress might be great with opaque tights (you could even play with color blocking here), and a lace top with a plunging neckline would be perfect with some sleek skinny denim.

4/ Visual Play. If you’re not into the whole lace thing, go for a lace print! There are tons out there- from lace printed denim to allover lace printed blouses and skirts.  Use the visual mirage for print interest without the texture. Have fun!

Fall is just around the corner. And with that comes Fashion Week, crisper evenings, and toasted bread puddings.  What is your wardrobe going to look like this fall?

At TantesHaus, we love to remix what we already have going on, so layering in your current pieces seamlessly for transitional weather is key. Check out our ideas for how to incorporate fall’s biggest messages into your arsenal without (necessarily) revamping your entire closet.

The fall mantra this year is all about texture.  And quite honestly, textural fabrics like brocade, fur, leather, and lace all mash up quite nicely with late summer basics like sheer tops, stripes, and bold denim.

So that’s just the trick- take your midsummer basics that are in year-round fabrics like denim, silk, or any type of jersey; and mix them with heavier textural pieces. For example, take that sheer blouse you’ve been sporting with cutoffs on the weekend and under a blazer for work- and mix with a fur stole, some waxed skinny denim, and suede booties.

Or, take that delicate lace number and pair it with opaque tights and a leather jacket.  Mashing up seasonality and mixing in fall’s deeper, richer hues never looked cooler!

If you’re lucky enough to be planning a Parisian holiday anytime soon, take us with you!!  In the absence of that possibility, take a few of our packing tips for a chic filled suitcase- with pieces that you’ll be able to combine into your wardrobe seamlessly once you’re back home.

Rule number one: You can’t be in Paris without a classic striped tee!  Go for a modern update in a cropped cut and slouchy shoulders.  Back home, this can definitely become a wardrobe staple! Pair with grey skinnies and tonal grey boots.  All great picks for transitional fall weather.

A maxi skirt pretty much does the trick for any number of occasions- for a dressed up dinner with a silk tank, or for a casual lounge around the market with a cotton tee. Pack one in an on-trend python print. This is your new neutral for fall!  When the cooler weather hits, pair with a creamy cropped pullover sweater and a chunky necklace.

Go bold with punch red for lips and keep accessories in a modern color palette- think neon or electric cobalt.  And, don’t forget to bring a trusty leather jacket that can perfectly compliment your jeans or a mini dress for wherever a cool evening may take you!

The Upper West Side is rich with some of the best food, arts, and history in, well, anywhere.  This neighborhood calls for something a bit artsy, but also something a more polished- think a grown-up version of an artist’s muse.

Start your night off right smack in the middle of it all by heading to Robert at the Museum of Arts and Design (2 Columbus Circle).  Take in the breathtaking views of Central Park while dining on perfectly conceived grilled summer vegetable risotto or a delicate trio of crudos.

After sunset, head uptown a few blocks to Barcibo Enoteca (Broadway at 69th) for an aria’s worth of wines from Italy. If it’s a balmy night, sit out on the patio under twinkling lights nibbling on a dessert of fresh fig olive oil cake or verona chocolate mousse.  Don’t forget to ask the knowledgeable staff about a wine pairing recommendation for your dessert du jour!

A laser printed maxi skirt or dress is the perfect thing for the Upper West Side because it embodies the mood of the streets there- modern, sophisticated, brilliantly intelligent, perhaps soon to become iconic. Let the print do the talking and keep the rest of the outfit minimal.  If you’re running low on time before your evening commences, stop by Barney’s CO-OP (Broadway at 76th) for your pop piece or a refreshingly modern take on basics. Enjoy!

Planning a night out in Soho?  Keep it downtown sleek and totally on the mark with leather shorts, sheer blouses, and structural accessories in a fall-forward palette for a foolproof outfit formula!

First off, dinnertime. Head over to Soho’s dimly lit, uber cool Omen.  Those fall-forward colors in darker tones will fit right in with the warm, cave-like ambiance; while rose gold accessories will play off of sun-kissed skin. Maybe bring your faux cateye frames along (not sunglasses) to blend into that artsy, intellectual crowd while you dine on reincarnations of traditional Japanese cuisine too beautiful to touch.

After dinner, head over to the rooftop bar at A60.  Yes, it’s hard to get up to the top, but if you dress the part you’ll breeze on in.  Swipe on a dash of matte lipcolor in a deeper red, and buckle up your architectural shoes, and make sure your sheer blouse + structural bra combo is hitting all the right notes (aka no peekaboo!). We hope you enjoy the bellinis!

Summer in the city is all about escaping once in a while. But what to bring?!  The Hamptons are known for being a flocking place for the fashion set, so this isn’t a minor concern! Don’t worry, taking a little vacay isn’t about finding a whole new wardrobe- you just have to remix your city staples in new and unexpected ways. Read on.

Beachy vacation spots always allow a bit more color and playfulness than day to day life in the city, so don’t be afraid to clash or wear too many statement pieces at once.  For example, take a maxi dress you wear on weekends (of course, in one of the season’s hottest hues like mint or a saucy tangerine), and pair with a bold geometric necklace that you normally reserve for jeans and skinnies for double effect.

Or, take that cool-girl neon tank you’ll wear maybe with a light leather jacket come fall, and pair with your classic white denim in any length, plus some mod statement wedges you normally reserve to be the singular focus of an outfit.

Your all-around navy and white striped shirt (in any cut) plus your chic sleek little day bag can work perfectly in the Hamptons or the city- just add some denim cutoffs and some flat or wedge sandals, plus some sunnies, and you’re all set!