Fall fashion.

While not nearly as frightening as bathing suit season, fall is a transition period where we still want to look great, but are looking to fill our wardrobes with beautiful staples that will serve us well — now and in the coming months, if not longer. 

Enter Blumen Laden, where owner Ann Wincze is bringing the same expert styling and quality to her boutique’s clothing collection as she has to her distinctive home accessories and furnishings for many years now.

About Town spent a recent afternoon with Wincze, talking about trends; what still works; what the must haves are; and how to combine it all for less.

AT: Blumen Laden, in little Canton, CT, is full of merchandize that you don’t normally see outside of New York City.

AW: I do all my buying in the City, at designer shows that cater to clothing boutiques. 

AT: So, what’s new and fresh for the fall season?

AW: It’s all about layers. Dressing in layers gives you the option of dressing up or down. This type of dressing is multi-functional, so you get more bang for the buck. This is a look that works for any age!

Take a long, empire waisted shirt and put it over a skirt, leggings, pants or capris. Our empire shirts can be belted or tightened up with ribbons that tie up the back of the shirt.

We also have comfy, wicked fun, harem-style pants that feel like pajamas, but are appropriate for any setting. These are an innovation over the harem pants of the 1960s. They come in natural fabrics like cotton and have been reinvented so that they are more modern and versatile.

AT: The harem pants have an attached front so they don’t come undone by mistake, like the ones years ago did! How much?

AW: These run from $38 to $68, with a more luxurious version for $128. A like-minded, flowing layered skirt runs $68. Some of these styles are made in the USA.

We also have recycled, vintage silk saris from India that wrap into skirts, dresses or a number of other styling options. There are so many options that the saris come with a booklet!

AT: What about fabric trends?

AW: We have clothing with layers of interest and texture. Rather than piling on layers of different clothing, designers have taken bits of materials and incorporated them into an outfit, so that it’s not bulky; a little leopard — a very hot look — with lace or silk for example. If you don’t know how to put it all together, it’s already been styled for you in one piece, versus laying 12 different pieces on top of one another.

AT: What’s still current — from past seasons — that can be incorporated into the newest trends?

AW: Feminine, ruffled blouses are back very strong; from dark colors to winter white to sheer, beautiful prints. These can be layered over dresses, a cami or worn on their own. They are a great deal at $48.

Leggings, in all types of fabrics, are also returning this season.

Bold, heavy-set belts with studs are also back. You can belt them higher up on the waist, or lower on the hip to change the shape of your outfit. 

AT: What’s the bargain of the season?

AW: Scarves. You can embellish any outfit with a scarf in a beautiful print and fabric. Take your scarf into a triangular shape then use it as a shawl; put it on the hip; or scrunch it on the neck. We have lovely ones for $28.

We also have wonderful, 100-percent pashminas for $38. They are double sided, beautifully timeless and a long-term trend.

Another special piece that we’re offering for the fall is a reversible jacket. This jacket goes for several hundred dollars at boutiques by the shoreline and in the City. We have it for $78.

AT: You’re not following the usual trend towards just black or brown in the fall.

AW: The collections that we carry include black and brown, but also taupe, animal print, grey, silver and bronze tones.

While I’ve hear that turquoise is everywhere, I think you have to be careful about over doing it. I have some ruffled knit scarves, which incorporate turquoise, that are custom made for the store. They are lovely mixed with the taupes, browns, silvers, all of it!

AT: Is there a certain type of woman who can wear these types of clothes?

AW: These clothes are made for all women, of all sizes. You can style them in so many ways. These pieces all come in small/medium/large/extra large and in all the colors of the season.

One of the keys to being stylish, at any age, is to get pieces that are flexible, versatile and can be used in different ways.

AT: And shoes?

AW: The bootie is huge. Lace-ups are still very popular. We have a bootie with a beautiful leopard lining that can be turned down. It has a lace-up front, but a zipper on the side for comfort and ease of use.

We also have gorgeous shoes that normally go for hundreds of dollars in other boutiques. They are $48 here. They are embellished with stones and fabric and some even come with spare replacement heels!

AT: What’s not out on the floor yet?

AW: We will be showing felted bags, scarves and gloves. These gloves are made of Peruvian yarn that comes in a solid color that is then mixed with a watercolor yard which comes variegated with different colors, right off the skein of wool.

AT: And finally, what about jewelry?

AW: Jewelry is chunky in silver, gold, bronze, feathers, mixed metals and mother of pearl. There is a lot of (faux) tortoise shell that really complements the rest of the fall collection. Look for heavy looking, but lighter and comfortable necklaces and bracelets.

We also have a new, bendable, 'snake' necklace that allows you to make your own, one of a kind jewelry; either a necklace or a bracelet. It’s art that you wear. Very urban. Very chic.

And thanks to Blumen Laden, very Canton.

Here’s the Deal

Blumen Laden, 41 Bridge St, Collinsville; 860-693-8600