Fall into style with the season's hot trends
Before putting your home in shape for the busy season ahead, put yourself in shape with the latest for body and spirit
By L.J. BUTTERFIELD :: September 25, 2006

It’s about to get chilly outside so zip up those boots, throw on an oversized sweater and relax with a glass of wine from a warm climate.

Autumn is coming and preparation is everything.

When seasons change, so does your lifestyle and, for retail shops everywhere, so does the inventory.

Luxury goods are indeed bountiful in Westchester County and Connecticut’s Fairfield County so the Business Journal set out to visit a number of small-shop owners in the area to discover what’s hot this fall.

Whether it’s in the form of a new wardrobe, a spa treatment or a glass of wine, pamper yourself.

Leave the flip-flops behind and go gracefully into fall rejuvenated and in style.

FALL FASHION

Mary Esposito and Julia Portera, owners of The Side Door in the Byram section of Greenwich, have had their fall line available since August.

Walk into their uber-trendy apparel shop on Mill Street and it becomes obvious where fashion is going.

“The ’80s are back in a big way,” said Esposito. “Straight-legged, skinny jeans are the hottest thing right now. We’ve been selling a lot of them … and to all ages,” she added. “Older women may pair a higher boot with them –– they look great.”

Skinny jeans are tighter and longer at the ankle so they slightly bunch up like leg warmers. A style we thought died with the GoGos.

“Everyone has the boot-cut jean,” said Portera. “So they’re looking for something new.”

“Also, black jeans are really popular –– they’re back again.”

“We’re also selling a lot of chunky sweater jackets,” said Esposito. “The boyfriend-cut sweater is big right now.”

OK, skinny jeans and oversized sweaters –– Pat Benatar anyone?

Other than the ’80s revisited, what else is hot right now in women’s fashion?

“Women still like to have that unique going-out top,” said Esposito. “Novelty tops are really big for us.”

They’re great for pairing with more casual jeans and boots or for a night on the town.

Accessorize belts and purses with studs and snakeskin and, baby, strut your stuff.

The Side Door
248 Mill St.
Byram, CT (203) 532-5606

KIDS

At Candy Nichols Inc. on Purchase Street in Rye whose tagline reads ‘where kids are stars,’ children’s fashion rules.

Elizabeth Correa, president of Candy Nichols, is busy with the back-to-school season.

“It’s been insane here,” she said.

But the ’80s look is not as apparent when it comes to teens and tots clothing.

“Kids fashions are generally about a year behind adult fashions,” said Correa.

But make no mistake, kids’ clothes are going retro, too, with leg warmers for girls and preppy shirts for boys.

“The Vineyard Vines brand is selling really well, especially among the boys,” said Correa. “We’re doing well in general with the preppy look for boys.”

The Vineyard Vines shirts replace the alligator on the chest with a whale –– but preppy is preppy.

“Girls like more funky things,” said Correa. “Glittery Ts and leggings under skirts are big. Tie-die is back and camouflage has been really strong.”

When it comes to color, older girls are wearing a lot of browns, greens and camel colors this season with Roxy and Ralph Lauren selling as popular brands.

Candy Nichols Inc.
59-B Purchase St.
Rye, NY (914) 967-2288

SPA TREATMENTS

A long summer spent relaxing in the sun may sound good but when it comes to skin care, you may have some repairing to do.

Visit Oggi/Adam&Eve on Central Avenue in Scarsdale for a pick-me-up and re-emerge into fall with a fresh face.

Remove a layer of damaged skin with a spa treatment.

“Come in for a salt glow and a rejuvenating massage,” said Susan Tyler. “You’ll feel like a whole new person for the changing seasons.”

And while you’re at it, take the opportunity to re-evaluate your hair and makeup color to fit your new fall wardrobe.

“Deepen things up,” said Tyler. “You should absolutely warm up your hair color and makeup tone for fall.”

Then change your jewelry at the front counter of Adam&Eve to complete the look.

“We’re seeing a lot of cranberry and deep red colors in jewelry,” said Tyler.

Oggi/Adam&Eve
770 Central Park Ave.
Scarsdale, NY (914) 472-0010

WINE

Want to take the chill out of autumn evenings? Go south of the border with wines from Argentina and Chile –– two alternatives to the California, Italian and French wines everyone knows and loves.

Chile has gained momentum in the wine world with the rediscovery of the carmenere grape.

Carmenere is the most recognized grape from Chile and is actually a long lost Bordeaux grape thought to have gone extinct in the late 19th century but, through DNA testing, identified in Chile in the mid- to late- ’90s.

Chile is known for inexpensive merlot and cabernet but their prestigious wines that are gaining momentum around the world are generally blends of Merlot, Cabernet and Carmenere.

Carmenere is spicy with hints of eucalyptus and mint. It is medium bodied with a wonderful palate feel and goes well with lamb, red meats and somewhat spicy foods.

A prime example is Veramonte Primus a Cabernet, Merlot and Carmenere blend for $18.

The producer Arboleda makes great value Cabernet, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc for under $12.

Argentina is known for the malbec grape, a Bordeaux blending grape that makes a full-bodied, earthy, fruit-forward wine.

Argentina is also known for making good wine at competitive prices.

One unique thing about the terrain in Argentina is the high altitude. They’re producing some wine at 5,000 feet above sea level which is unheard of in most countries.

Michel Torino makes Coleccion Malbec, a fruit-forward wine for $11.

Don David Malbec that’s more full bodied, aged longer and generally more complex is $15.

While Argentina may be well-known for its red wines it is becoming known now for its white wine.

Torrontes is a white grape that is aromatic, floral and wonderfully fresh and fragrant.

Astica does a wonderfully valued wine that retails for as low as $5.99.

Also, try Don David Torrontes from Michel Torino for $15.

COMING THIS FALL

Scheduled to open at the end of October on Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck is Susan Tyler’s Showcase on the Sound; revolutionizing the way brides plan their big event and event planners explore their options.

“The first floor of the space is all retail, everything you need for corporate events to weddings,” said Tyler.

“Upstairs is a showcase.”

This is the revolutionizing part. Upstairs visitors enter through the D.J. room, then through an office for the performing bands. The back room is for screening any talent you may want to hire. “It will be set up for everything from showcasing a band to holding fashion shows to food tasting and speed dating,” said Tyler.

“We have bakeries that will come up from New York City for a tasting of their products. We’re bringing up things from Manhattan so people don’t have to travel to the city.

“That’s part of our mission,” said Tyler. “Bringing the finest things together in one place that is convenient.

When it opens, Showcase on the Sound will overlook the water; a great venue for screening entertainment.

“All the catering halls are busy on a Sunday but I can showcase a band for you, no problem,” she said. “My number-one band at the moment is the leading band in the tri-state area,” said Tyler. “The Projekt.”

Right now Tyler is busy making it all happen. And she’s made friends along the way.

“Bonjovi’s soundman is involved and a M.A.C. makeup artist is coming into the new place,” said a bright-eyed Tyler.

“It’s going to be exciting.”

Showcase on the Sound
516 West Boston Post Road
Mamaroneck, NY (914) 722-5997