Ways to Incorporate Color Into Your Look This Fall

As summer simmers down and fall takes its turn, misguided fashionistas everywhere are ditching their colorful pastels and flirty frocks for neutral hues and dark layers. You may have to let go of your bikini and golden tan once the seasons change, but don't you dare turn away from color this fall. Here are six ways to go bold and bright with an autumn twist.

Designer Handbag

Congratulations to me: Starting a new job is like the first day of school. It's nerve-racking yet exciting, and it's the perfect excuse to buy new clothes. To really make a statement on the first day, a professional gal needs a brand-new designer tote bag. Yes, designer, because you deserve to indulge in luxury as a reward to yourself. A leather Coach tote in loganberry or purple iris will colorfully complement your fresh fall wardrobe and stylishly carry your tablet, Moleskine notebook and backup beauty supplies.

Ankle Booties

Fall streetwear: Trade in summer's high wedges and slingback flat sandals for booties in hot autumn hues like rust, teal, olive or mustard. Ankle booties are a versatile fashion piece that can be totally casual or très chic. Pair crimson-colored booties with leather skinnies and a noir blazer to create a sultry look for late-night drinks. Meeting up with girlfriends for a Saturday lunch? Accent rolled slouchy boyfriend jeans and an oversized sweater with striking cobalt booties.

Smock Dress

Alfresco affair: Every girl deserves to shine every now and again, but birthdays only come once a year. If you're in the mood to be in the spotlight, play hostess as the star of your own party. Turn your event into an intimate outdoor soiree, like a backyard bohemian garden get-together or rooftop dinner party. Since you're the leading lady, you'll need to don a knockout outfit. Bright print mashups and bold colors are de rigueur, even post-summertime. Throw on tights and either knee-high or combat boots to autumn-ize the look.

Eyeshadow

Be fierce: 'Tis the season to eat, drink and sleep pumpkin everything, so why not incorporate pumpkin into your eye makeup? Stylist Janice Daoud tells TotalBeauty.com that orange-based eye shadow can make blue eyes pop and accentuate brown eyes, too. Daoud recommends creamsicle shades for fair skin tones, coral hues for medium skin tones and bright tangerine for darker skin tones. Neutralize the rest of the face with nude colors, and make sure the colors of your clothes and accessories don't compete, either.

Hair Color

Change with the season: Enhance your hair color to match the changing colors of the fall foliage. Marie Claire featured Jessica Biel's honey-toned locks and Olivia Palermo's glossy mahogany mane. For a more subtle change, warm yellow-blonde hair with golden highlights or color brunette layers with a rich rustic red. A sassy new 'do will make you feel like an audacious beauty who isn't afraid to take risks.

Mix & Match

Casual glam: Even fashionistas like to kick it casual and keep it comfy. Look super cute while keeping it low key by wearing a striped three-length tee or classic houndstooth sweater. Don't hesitate to mix and match stripes and houndstooth patterns with floral prints, either. Any true fashionista knows that rules are meant to be broken.

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