Fashion Guru Previews Fall’s Best
Makeover master Clinton Kelly stopped by Macy’s Ala Moana last month for a Best of Fall Fashion Show. Lawrence Tabudlo photo ltabudlo@midweek.com
Fashion expert Clinton Kelly stopped by Macy’s Ala Moana last month for a fall fashion presentation showcasing the standout styles for women of all body types.
While here, he also signed copies of his book, Oh No She Didn’t: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How to Avoid Them, and shared some of the latest trends and fashion tips with MidWeek.
“The No. 1 trend is colored denim,” says Kelly, who serves as co-host of TLC’s What Not to Wear and ABC Daytime’s The Chew. “It’s sort of last year, but it continues to be super strong. I think it’s a trend that every single woman, if you’re not participating in this trend yet, now is your time to do it.
“There also are so many great prints, and so many incredible dresses. Leather this season is also a huge one, and printed pants as well.”
For colored denim, Kelly suggests the skinny silhouette. “I’ve learned to love the skinny silhouette for women of all shapes and sizes. The question is, how you do it,” he notes. “The thing about skinny pants is that it will indeed make your thighs and hips and tush look a little bit bigger, but there are ways to counterbalance that. (For example), go for straight-leg pants, or there are great tunic tops that come down to the hip area to compensate for that.”
As for his personal must-haves this season, he lists a Chelsea boot (tight-fitting ankle-high boots) or a suede loafer. “I love boots for the fall/winter, and a great pair of modern jeans, such as a dark jean with a little bit of distress to it, and some crisp button-down shirts,” he says. “I also love prints. I’m all about checks and stripes, great casual jackets and a little scarf, and I’m good to go.”
For traveling, he recommends women pack a dress made of microfiber jersey fabric that can be easily dressed down with tights for the day, and then dressed up with lots of accessories for the evening.
“For myself, I travel in a uniform of a loafer because I never want to deal with tying shoes through the airport, and jeans that will stay up without a belt,” he adds. “I find going through the travel security to be one of the most degrading aspects of my life, so I try to make it as seamless as possible and pretend that it’s not actually happening to me.
“So, I will not wear a belt through the airport and I will only wear a slip-on shoe and then a jacket that I don’t mind being put in a filthy bin. It’s just gross. Those bins are disgusting. People are putting their smelly shoes in them and then I have to put my jacket in them.”
An advocate for women of all sizes, Kelly is known for his sincere honesty and amazing ability to get everyone into a wardrobe that is fashionable and flattering. He has partnered with Macy’s since 2005 in conducting style seminars at Macy’s department stores across the U.S., and designs a women’s clothing line called Kelly by Clinton Kelly exclusively for QVC.
He also has made numerous TV appearances including on shows Good Morning America, The View and The Today Show; and has been featured in various national magazines such as InStyle, Real Simple and O, The Oprah Magazine.
“I love Hawaii so much that I’m fantasizing about retiring here as soon as both of my shows are cancelled, so you’ll be seeing a lot more of me,” says Kelly about his recent trip to the island. “I hope that doesn’t happen anytime soon, but if it does happen, I’m coming.”
