Military fashion is always trending, and from year to year, many designers give this staple look a unique twist. That jacket hanging in your closet will work for this season as well. Here are a couple ways that you can improve some of your existing fall clothing with little or no cost.

The military look includes everything from jackets with military detailing like straps and buttons to tall boots, heavier dresses, laces and leather belts. Wearing one key military piece and an eye-popping accent of color to go with it like a coral- or mint can be a way of working the style in a whole new way.

Here are two ways you can twist the military look this season:

The Georgian and Victorian Military Twist

Borrow looks from the decadent inspired by military uniforms of the Georgian and Victorian eras which focused on functionality, utility, and understatement.

How to get this look:

• Longer Coats– Think about longer coats, lace-up boots with a feminine twist. Longer coats in velvet, with buttons running from the base of the jacket to the top collar.
• Softer Colors -Work the softer grays, light yellows, creams, and pinks into your style. Pair the right shade as well as the tailoring of your jackets and skirts to bring out your femininity.
• Floor Length A Line Skirts- Capture the romance with floor length hugging skirts. Show off your curves with skirts that flair out at the bottom. Pair them with flat boots.
• White With Touches Of Pastel For The Winter- The pastels we have adored in the spring can work in the fall and winter as well.  Turquoise, lavender, primrose yellow, baby pink, baby blue, jade green, peach, apricot, salmon pink are all pastels that were seen in the 2014 Gucci Fall Winter Fashion show.

• Sewn On Braiding For Longer Coats– Braiding and frog fastenings of the Georgina era were heavily influenced by the return of English troops from Egypt.  Braidings often seen on military coats have been in fashion since the ancient times, and added an exotic touch. The masculine influence in women’s riding coats started taking shape near the end of the 17th Century when ladies adopted the waistcoats for riding and hunting.  Ladies would pair the tailored tops with feminine petticoats.  Horse riding had always been a fashionable sport for the upper classes.   Some women began to wear them in the most unexpected places.

• Work Lace Into Your Attire– With the changing fashion in the Georgian era, the silhouette became more frilly and feminized.  Higher waistlines became in vogue, and taken on a more somber, tailored appearance.
• Longer Dresses- Long, sleek dresses and skirts have also been seen on the runways — and these are a perfect fashion trend for the everyday woman of today. They cover up the legs, can be dressed up and down, and paired with fitted jackets.  They lend a classic, yet sophisticated, look.

• Frilly Scarves-  Scarves are as big in the spring and summer, as they are in the fall and winter. They add an unexpected bit of interest to any outfit. Ruffle them up near the neck to get the Georgian look.  Choose one which will work with an outdoor winter look, as well as one that can be worn inside though the fall season.

Being fashion forward and fitting some of your favorite fashions through time, into your wardrobe is a possibility; just remember to use your better judgment when choosing what to wear.

Vera Wang Winter 2007 2008

The Russian Military Twist

Bring opulence into the fall season by taking a nod from historic Russian military uniforms.  Lavish embroideries, colored fox fur, lush colorful embroidery will make every gal feel like Russian royalty. Intricate thread work and trims adorn the Russian inspired look.

While the designer looks we feature in this post are some of the most expensive designers around the world, that doesn’t mean you cannot borrow the same looks for your wardrobe

• Dig around at resale and consignment shops– For those of us who are addicted to high-end fashion, going to a consignment shop may be just the outlet for you to get the really high end looks for less.  You’d be surprised what some of these stores have to offer if you really spend some time looking. One thing you may want to consider to improve your chances of coming across high fashion finds is to look for resale stores in high-end neighborhoods.

• Join online shoppers clubs- Joining online shoppers clubs is an incredible way to save money on high fashion items. One great example is HauteLook, which offers in excess of 50% discounts on clothing items from top-notch brands. It’s free to sign up and you’ll receive daily alerts about discounted items. For more info on shopping clubs, check out this list.

• Buy Quality Staples Year To Year-   If you don’t have a big budget to spend on clothing, that doesn’t mean you cannot look flippen fantastic through the winter season.  When you do buy clothing, try to buy unique pieces, and quality made items. Look at the fabric weight, stitching, and hardware.  These qualities can make a difference.  The heavier wools tend to be better quality.  The best way to buy quality items is to not do so impulsively. Rather, set a goal on what you would wear as a staple from week to week, and buy a fewer items, but quality pieces.  When you plan your purchases in advance, you’ll see how much easier it is on your pocketbook in the long run.

• A Longer Military Coat Is A Great Staple – These jackets come in a wide range of colors including brighter yellow, white, and black.  Paired with a pair of fitted slacks and a nice pair of boots, they are great for work, or the weekends.

• Cape Coats Stand Out And Always Gets Noticed- A cape is type of coat that is not fitted, but rather falls attractively around the body without being form fitting. Short capes can be paired with most outfits, while longer capes made out of wool work for a night out, adding a touch of femininity and elegance to an evening out outfit.

• Trench Coats Are Lighter And Informal- The trench is the go-to style for day to day wear for most women.  They can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on the rest of the outfit.  Trenches come in a range of lengths, from hip length to calf length. They come in a range of fabrics as well, with leather, vinyl and cotton all available. They tend to have a belt around the waist and double-breasted designs.   Ruffled and gathered trenches can be very feminine and increases the versatility of your coat collection.

• The Structured Blazer– is sophisticated style that allows you to keep it casual.  Pair a colorful structured blazer with a pair of skinny jeans, or wear over a form-fitting dress for a more office-appropriate look.

• The White Coat– Some of the world’s most famed fashion labels (namely, Vera Wang, DKNY and BCBG), have all come out with their signature white coats.  Pair it with a feminine floral print, or go white on cream for a fresh look this fall.

If you find yourself in the market for a new coat, don’t just buy something to keep yourself warm.

Since the weather is cooling down, a quality warm jacket will become important.  An ankle-length coat may be just what keeps you warm when the snow starts piling up and the temperature drops.

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