If you’re feeling like you need a little tune-up and update of your Fall wardrobe now that the leaves have blown off the trees and the cooler breezes turn into frosty blasts, what better way than to go to a fashion show with lots of new looks, proportions colors and designs ….and all in our own backyard! The Nantucket Chamber of Commerce did just that for its second annual Fall Fashion Show at the Nantucket Hotel. Enjoy my article in the October 17th edition of the weekly ‘Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror.’

If you’re in the mood to deep six your current fall and winter wardrobe and update your look with some new and fresh outfits, what better way than to check out a fall fashion show and see some new colors and styles that are being offered right in our own back yard.

With the Columbus Day weekend that just blew by along with the falling leaves, bringing with it cooler weather, the timing was perfect.

The Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce presented its second annual Fall Fashion Show at the Nantucket Hotel Saturday in conjunction with its weekend-long Cobblestones and Cranberries shopping initiative, which provided a contest for shoppers to gather stamps on a Bingo card from more than 25 participating shops, resulting in prizes after the card was handed in to the Chamber.

The show was all high-energy with a driving beat provided by DJ XPlod as 10 island shops and boutiques presented fall looks modeled by sales associates, family and friends.

“One-hundred percent local retailers, 100 percent local models,” Chamber executive director Peter Burke said to open the show. Participating businesses included Respoke, Manca Studio, Remy Creations, Blue Beetle, Erica Wilson, TownPool, Dress Code, Alice Walk, vineyard vines and the consignment shop The Rainbow Fleet.

Manca Studios, which operates out of a private home on the island and specializes in Nantucket basket-woven items, tied for first place with Respoke. Second place went to Dress Code with The Rainbow Fleet rounding out the top three.

The fashions themselves ranged from creamy cashmere capes, wraps and sweaters from Alice Walk; to sultry velvet skirts, classic wool coats and weatherproof jackets from Erica Wilson; colorful, printed knee-length dresses from Remy Creations and flowing, feminine dresses you would expect from Dress Code; as well as a Nantucket-inspired pajama set with matching nightcap from TownPool. Sounds like a perfect stocking stuffer to me.

Lots of denim jackets were shown as toppers with everything at least until the weather gets too chilly.

Of course, they can always be a layer under a heavier jacket or coat. There was even a huge multi-colored wool blanket with an outline of Nantucket Island emblazoned on the back, draped on the model over a coordinating outfit, all from The Rainbow Fleet.

Getting ideas? We can’t change the inexorable change of season as it gets colder and darker, but you can certainly take the chill out by surrounding yourself with some rejuvenating textures, warm colors and cozy togs from our very own neighborhood.