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Fall is here. The leaves and weather are changing, so it’s time to swap out the summer clothes for some warmer clothing options. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the latest offerings for Fall from Toad & Co, Patagonia, Purnell, Chaco, Aventura, prAna, Mountain Khakis, Columbia, and Fjallraven in this Fall Fashion Guide.
Toad & Co Imogene Three Quarter Dress
The Toad & Co Imogene Three Quarter Dress is named after a gorgeous mountain pass in Southwest Colorado. Every September, there is a 17 mile trail race that goes up and over Imogene Pass, which connects Ouray to Telluride via one steep up and down trail. Like the race, the Imogene Three Quarter Dress puts a smile on my face every-time I put it on: it’s comfortable, stylish, and always get’s me comments at work.
Imogene Three Quarter Dress in Egret
The Imogene Three Quarter Dress can be worn with or without tights, dressed up or down, with boots or flats. That is one thing I love about this dress is its’ versatility. The Imogene Three Quarter Dress features an A-line silhouette and knife pleating, which dresses things up. The flattering wide crew neck, pockets on each side, 3/4 sleeve length, and piping detail at the shoulders keep things more casual. The fabric of the dress is very deceiving from the photos and also when seen from a far, the weave and the stripes make it look like a sweater garment. While in reality, the Imogene Three Quarter Dress is composed of a super soft, make you feel good, organic cotton blend with Tencel®. You may be asking, what is Tencel®? Tencel® is a sustainable fabric, regenerated from wood cellulose, similar to bamboo or rayon, which are also regenerated fabrics.
Fit
Toad & Co offers up the Imogene Three Quarter Dress in size XS to XL. I ordered a size small and feel that it runs a bit looser than other size small dresses I have ordered in the past. The length varies by size: XS: 37.5”, S: 38”, M: 38.5”, L: 39”, XL: 39.5”. At just under 5’9″, the size small hits just above my knees.
The Imogene Three Quarter Dress is great for work, a night out, and travel. The dress is available in 3 colors: Marine Green (my favorite), Brown Falcon, and Egret (Light Gray). I love the Marine Green color as it can be worn with both brown and black (grey too!). Feel good fabrics and versatility, that goes along with the Toad & Co tagline placed at the bottom of the product tag, “Dirty is the new clean. Wear more, wash less. Wear it out or pass it on.” I’ve had my Imogene Three Quarter Dress for just under a month and have worn it many times, have yet to wash it (it doesn’t stink!), and there is no way I am ready to pass it on. Instead, I’ll just tell people where they can pick up their own Imogene Three Quarter Dress. toadandco.com
Mountain Khakis Canyon Cord Skinny Fit Pants
Many years ago, I tried out some Mountain Khakis cords and I just couldn’t love them: they came up too high, were super heavy, and I didn’t love the color I purchased. Fast forward a couple of years and enter the Mountain Khakis Canyon Cord Skinny Pant and I fell in love instantly. I actually took off the pants I was wearing and wore them the rest of the night with the tag still on.
Mountain Khakis Women’s Canyon Cord Skinny Pant in Ranch
Fit
The Canyon Cord Skinny Pant, as its’ name suggests, is a medium weight corduroy pant that features a low-rise and slim fit. The pants are slim, but not too slim, which means that they stretch with you and offer plenty of room to move about in. I tested out the size 6 and found that they ran true to the size guide and didn’t stretch a full size each day, like many other pants I own. The fit accommodates sporty quads/thighs. Mountain Khaki calls the rise a low rise, but really it rises to just under my belly button and eliminates that gap in the back, aka plumbers look when you bend over.
The Mountain Khaki Canyon Cord Skinny Pant features 98% cotton/2% spandex. The combination is warmer than many skinny jeans I own, but not too bulky. The smaller, 19 whale corduroy, doesn’t make the whoosh whoosh sound that the cords you grew up with made. The classic 5 pocket design features usable pockets, the front and back both fit my phone.
The Canyon Cord Skinny Pant is available in petite and regular, with the regular inseam coming in at 32″ or just below my ankle. These pants can be worn with flats or boots due to the tapering at the ankle. These pants are available in 3 mix with anything colors: Ranch (tan), Terra (olive green/brown mix), and Lunar (medium gray). I am already thinking of adding another pair, likely the Lunar color, to my weekly wardrobe mix. amazon.com/mk
Aventura Clara Dress
Aventura’s Clara Dress feels like a luxurious cashmere blanket that you never want to take off. Fortunately, the Clara Dress is a fashionable sweater dress that you can wear all day and more affordable than cashmere. The Clara Dress is the softest sweater dress I’ve ever owned and feels cozy without making you overheat. The dress is a combination of viscose (65%) and nylon (35%), which combines to make a warm yet lightweight dress. The fabric also hangs nicely and doesn’t stick to leggings or tights.
Aventura Clara Dress in Blue Indigo
The Aventura Clara Dress is available in 3 colors that feature the same geometric pattern, which is flattering without being overly distracting or busy. I tested out the Clara Dress in black and loved being able to wear it with bare legs with fun shoes or with leggings and boots in cooler temperatures. The Clara Dress is also available in Blue Indigo and Whisper White.
Fit
The Clara Dress features generous sleeve length, which is great in my book, or can be rolled for those that don’t love the extra length. The center back length is 37″, which hits just above my knees. The Aventura Clara Dress is available in XS to XL and runs true to size if you check out the size guide. Aventura typically runs about a 1/2 size larger than other outdoor companies, so check out the guide here to ensure you get the best fit.
The super soft fabric of the Clara Dress does require a bit more attention in terms of washing. I have flipped it inside out and washed on the gentle cycle and had good results. Aventura recommends hand washing or dry cleaning. amazon.com/aventura
Chaco Women’s Pineland Moc
When you hear the brand Chaco, you typically think of summer and your favorite pair of sandals. Thankfully, Chaco offers up some great shoe and boot options for the months in between sandal season. The Pineland Moc is new for this fall and is a two-toned full grain leather moc with many of the same great features as your Chaco sandals.
Chaco Pineland Moc in Pinecone Brown
For starters, the Pineland Moc features a cushy non-marking outsole and LUVSEAT™ footbed, which provide great arch support and all day comfort. I’ve been wearing them to work and on morning-lunchtime-and after work dog walks, which equates to about 8-10 miles per day. The Pineland Moc has exceeded my expectations in terms of comfort.
The Chaco Pineland Moc is available in 4 different two-toned colors, including Pinecone Brown, Baker Chocolate, Nickel Grey, and Bone Brown. There is a small webbing stripe at the rear of each Pineland Moc provides outdoor inspiration.
Fit
The Chaco Pineland Moc is available in size 6 to 11, with 1/2 sizes available. I ordered the same size I wear in Chaco sandals and found the fit to be spot on. I’d recommend ordering a half size down when compared to your running or hiking shoes as most people do with casual shoes. If you haven’t ordered or worn Chaco’s before, it might be worth heading to your local store to ensure a perfect fit. If you do order online and get the wrong size, you can easily return the shoes (unworn) within 45 days of purchase with free shipping.
Although the shoe is called a Pineland Moc, it fits and feels more like a slide or clog. This is because the cotton laces do not cinch tightly like a standard moc or tighten around the mid-foot. The Pineland Moc can be slid off and on without untying the laces if you keep them loose. The toe box is plenty roomy, while the removable footbed provides perfect arch support and prevents the shoe from feeling sloppy when you walk. The Pineland Moc looks great for work and casual use with jeans or corduroys. For more info visit www.chaco.com or www.amazon.com/chacos.
Columbia Beadead Flannel Long Sleeve Shirt
The Columbia Beadhead Flannel Long Sleeve Shirt isn’t your typical flannel or button down shirt. The Columbia Beadhead is a medium weight flannel that features Omni-Wick™ fabric, a 60% Cotton/40% Viscose blend. Omni-Wick™, as the name implies, is moisture wicking to prevent you from becoming chilled with sweat. The Beadhead Flannel Long Sleeve Shirt also features discrete side venting along the back in a vertical fashion. The shirt can be easily rolled up and the features snap tab holders to keep the sleeves in place. Pearl snaps, a rod holder, and snap front pockets round out the features.
Fit
The Columbia Beadhead Flannel Long Sleeve Shirt is available in size XS to XL. The top is a full size too big and I was happy that I ordered down a size. The Beadhead features a 27″ center back length, which I found to be perfect. The Columbia Beadhead Flannel Long Sleeve Shirt is trail, river, and town ready. For more info visit www.amazon.com/columbia.
Purnell Reindeer Print Base Layer Leggings
When the weather cools down, I tend to live in base-layers and leggings after work. I was super excited to hear about a new company, Purnell, that wanted to get our spin on their new products for the fall. Purnell sent out the Reindeer Print Base Layer Leggings for me to review and I quickly fell in love with the fun print and fabric.
Reindeer Print Base Layer Leggings
The Purnell Base Layer Leggings are a heavy weight legging made of 83% polyester/13% viscose/4% elastane. The fabric is a tight weave that is soft, warm, and moderately stretchy, but maintains its’ shape with multiple days of wear. These leggings can be worn with a skirt or tunic for casual use, or as a performance base-layer. I preferred using these leggings for casual use as they are not as flexible or stretchy as my typical performance base layers. I have yet to use the under ski pants or on a cold morning run (it hasn’t been cold enough yet!), so I will have to update the review when the temperature drops. The leggings are available in 3 patterns and a few solids: I test out the Reindeer print and loved the fun winter inspired pattern, which is available in black/grey, navy/grey, and cream/nayv. The Base Layer Legging is also available in Camo print, dark and light grey, Fair Isle print, maroon, white/grey, black/white, and then solid light grey/dark grey.
Fit
The Purnell Base Layer Leggings are available in XS to XL and run on the small side. I ordered up a size from my normal and was happy that I did so, not only for the length, but also the comfort in the hips and thighs. The leggings feature a higher waist, which I really like when layering for winter sports to prevent cool air chilling the backside.
Fjallraven Frost Scarf
Fjallraven Frost Scarf in Ecru; Fjallraven means Arctic Fox in Swedish. The Fjallraven logo features the Artic Fox, which is a highly adaptable predator that can survive temperatures below -50C (approx -60F)!
Functional, durable, and timeless: these are the tenants that Fjallraven has incorporated for the past 50 plus years in the outdoor industry. Fjallraven may be a newer name to US consumers, but the Swedish company has been crafting products since 1960. They currently offer tents, packs (multi-day packs to everyday packs), outerwear, accessories, and activewear for men, women, and kids.
Fjallraven Frost Scarf in Dark Garnet
I received the Fjallraven Frost Scarf to review and know that this scarf is going to last me for many years. The Frost Scarf features lambs wool in a tightly stitched weave that hasn’t pilled or snagged. The Frost Scarf is a perfect length too, measuring 8″ wide by 61″ long: enough length to wrap around the back, crossing in the front, and circling back around to pull it through the center with each end hanging mid chest. I’m not a big fan of super long scarves that flap around unless wrapped twice around the neck. The fabric is warm, naturally water resistant, and doesn’t itch my skin.
The Frost Scarf is available in Ecru (Gray with white), Dark Garnet (what I tested), Dove Blue, and Dark Gray.
prAna Kayla Jean
prAna’s Kara Jean (full review here) were one of the first pairs of jeans that I’d owned in the past several years that truly fit. The Kara Jean came in a variety of colors and prints and fit so many shapes and sizes due the ability to wear them rolled/cuffed or unrolled and in regular or short. The Kara Jeans were a big hit for all of us outdoor girls with athletic thighs and calves. So why would I need another type of jean?
prAna Kayla Jean Picante Dots
Fit
prAna added the Kayla Jean to the Fall 2016 line up and solves the one problem I had with the Kara Jean, the rise. The Kayla Jean features a mid rise, which means no gapping or pulling with the low rise, to keep things covered when I bend, twist, or demonstrate how not to move after hip surgery (primary gig is in a hospital!). The Kayla Jean features the same soft stretch organic blend “Kara” denim, which features 75% Organic Cotton / 19% Polyester / 2% Spandex. The jeans are soft on the first wear and don’t take any break in period and can be worn comfortably all day long.
prAna Kayla Jean in Cargo Green with rolled cuffs
The prAna Kayla Jean features a traditional 5 pocket design and tapered leg that can be cuffed/rolled like the Kara Jean, if that’s your style. The Kayla Jean is available in short (inseam 30″) and regular (inseam 32″) and size 00 to 14. I ordered my typical prAna size 6 and found that they fit perfectly and ran true to size. I tested the Kayla Jean in Cargo Green and loved that the green has a bit of a shiny sheen to it. The Kayla Jean is available in Cargo Green, Black, Denim, Indigo, and Picante Dot (featured above). For more information visit prAna.com.
Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pant
Happy Hike Studio Pant in Forge Gray; light heather grey cuffs and flat waistbandForge Gray and Black
The Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pant is a spin off of the popular Happy Hike Pant. The pant features a wide, flat waist band and is a jogger style, which means soft elasticized cuffs just above the ankle. The waistband and cuffs are made from a 87% polyester/13% spandex knit that is super soft on the skin and helps to keep the pants up and the ankle cuffs down. The remainder of the pant is similar to the traditional Happy Hike Pant and features 50+ UPF, is bluesign approved, and contains 88% polyester/12% spandex 4 way stretch woven fabric with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. In other words, it is a lightweight, breathable, technical fabric that dries quickly, moves with you, and repels the elements.
From the first day that I slipped on the Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pant I was instantly in love; I have worn these pants for 11 days in a row in a variety of situations. My routine as of late is, come home from work, pull on the Happy Hike Studio Pant to walk the dogs, go to yoga, hike around town, or lounge around the house. In the mornings, I pull these pants on for a morning walk with the dogs or a quick set of errands. The Happy Hike Studio Pant is extremely versatile as it can be worn in a variety of weather conditions, including cool-crisp fall mornings to sunny afternoons with the cuffs pulled up to cool you down. The Happy Hike Studio Pant features two front pockets and two rear pockets that are actually usable, meaning they fit keys, your phone, etc. Only problem is not to place too many heavy items in the pants as they will pull your pants down.
Fit
The Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pant does have one area to improve upon, the fit. I typically wear between a size small and medium in Patagonia bottoms and ordered a size medium to ensure maximum comfort. Only problem is that the crouch of these pants hang very very low. I am close to 5’9″ and if the pants hang low on me, I can’t imagine what they would look like on someone shorter than myself. My fear with going with the size down is that the length might not work and I would have ended up with capris and not joggers. If Patagonia adjusted the sizing a touch, I think these would be an instant hit. For more info visit www.patagonia.com.