Fringe is big this fall season, and we’re not just talking on tallits or prayer shawls. That’s just one trend we found as we scoured local department stores and boutiques in search of the latest fall looks to dress our mother-daughter models, Susan and Jamie  Nachman, of Chesterfield, for the High Holidays. We used the beautiful sanctuary area at Congregation Shaare Emeth as a backdrop to show off the new season of clothes, which boasts, among other things, vegan leather (a.k.a. pleather), over-the-knee boots, sumptuous sweaters and coats and extreme turtlenecks, along with 50 shades of gray and green, the big colors this fall.

— Ellen Futterman and Beth Feldman, editor and events coordinator, respectively, of the Jewish Light

Local fashionistas on fall’s hot trends

What are the hottest trends for the fall season? We asked the experts and this is what they had to say:

Alyson Garland, owner of dotdotdash in Clayton: Fringe, and we do have the perfect fringe sweater. I’d say if you were to invest in one thing this fall, it would be one great sweater with a lot of dimension to it and maybe a little bit of fringe. A great, chunky necklace is also always a good anchor and it can bring life to a solid sweater or an old dress. We’re also big on cuffs bracelet and scarves, like a bold infinity scarf, which are great accessories. Plaids also are very popular this fall. 

Melodie Tauben, owner of Vie in Ladue:  There are several trends going on this fall but the sweaters are really, really so good. A big, chunky sweater either with interesting textures in the pattern or even a solid sweater. They are just beautiful this year.  

Kim Riordan, owner of Jeans Jacket & Jewels in Chesterfield: One good pair of skinny jeans. We love denin and what’s trending right now is neutral denim, maybe with just simple back pockets, but no distressing, no holes, no embellishment, no bling, no heavy stitching. Invest in one good pair of neutral denim jeans as a staple that you can then dress up. 

Laurie Solet, owner of Laurie Solet in Brentwood and Town & Country:It’s all about cocoon wraps and anything fringe – an article of clothing, a bag, a necklace. Plaid vests are big, as are oversized, Oxford shirts. Oh, and boucle sweaters and jackets or anything boucle or nubby.

Tania Rakel, manager of Marta’s boutique in Ladue (with another location in Ellisville): We are seeing a lot of pleather or vegan leather and it doesn’t have to be the whole jacket, even vegan leather details on jackets or leggings. Vests, too, are a big trend this fall.

Maeghan Moeller, owner of Lusso in Clayton: Creams and white neutrals with pops of red as well as animal prints are really strong this fall. Boots are still very big as are menswear-inspired trends for women. 

Jane Lavey, owner of Giddup Jane in Ladue: A great pair of boots be it English style or cowboy. Boots set the tone for the whole season. There’s a saying in the fashion world, “Never get rid of anything that’s hippie or cowboy because it never goes away, it’s always in vogue.” Boots are very, very big this season. 

Alise Glenn, marketing manager at paperdolls boutique, in Kirkwood and Ballwin (and opening soon in University City): Fringe detailing is all the rage, especially on handbags. Made of vegan leather or suede, these statement-making bags work well with everything from jeans to a little black dress.

Cheresse Pentella, public relations manager at Neiman-Marcus Plaza Frontenac: Gray will be the canvas that all other colors can fall on this season. You can also paint your canvas with hints of blues and greens as well as reds; wonderful accent colors.  For accessories, the clutch is the bag this season and it’s a must have. Statement necklaces are go-to pieces in jewelry. For shoes, the year-round bootie is the show-stopper.