Act Neutral

One way to stand out this season: Blend in. If the latest crop of pre-fall collections are of any indication, designers are taking a detox from last season’s neon binge and are instead opting for neutrals.

Take Christopher Bailey of Burberry, who comfortably fell into the fashion house’s favorite season. (What’s autumn without a crisp Burberry coat?) The creative director showed an elegant series of structured pieces in dusty grays and chocolaty browns. The neutral shades — occasionally punctuated by muted notes of mustard yellow, lavender, and sage — translated well into fabrics like tweed and wool. Bailey’s apparent muse of a pre–World War II party girl managed to toe the fine line between gloom and grace — think Kate Middleton on a foggy day.

Another favorite take on neutrals was Thakoon’s pre-fall line (pictured above), which lightened things up in khakis, creams, and mauvey grays. Instead of playing with colors and patterns — aside from hints of pastels and some select striped garments — designer Thakoon Panichgul experimented with multi-textured layers. Textiles like cable knit, printed wool, and Mongolian lamb went together seamlessly, accessorized simply with leather loafers in, what else, nude.

Text Kara Solarz
Image Style.com

The Art of (Facial) Nudity

While having a totally glam-and-sexy smoky eye is always fierce, there are days when your makeup should reflect your softer, more romantic side. The best way to bring out that inner angel? Nude shadow with subtle glints of shimmer.

When choosing your neutrals, be sure to keep your hair, eye, and skin color in mind, as they will determine which hues will suit you best. Give M.A.C.'s Ricepaper a go — it's a universally flattering basic with a peachy undertone that yields a desirable, warming effect. Be sure to use a white or creamy liner on your waterline to keep your eyes from becoming too flat, and always coat your lashes with a light treatment of mascara. (Keep it subtle by using a gray black or a deep brown instead of noir black.)

Lastly, to keep your face from looking flat and undefined, top it all off with a subtle pink lip with a shimmery gloss. We love Bobbi Brown's Sandwash Tulle lipstick, with its ultra creamy application and perfectly pretty pink undertone.

So what are you waiting for ladies? Time to get naked! ;)

Text Lauryn Stone
Sources M.A.C. Cosmetics and Bobbi Brown