Quick change artist

MANILA, Philippines - Schizophrenia is an asset — in the world of fashion, that is. This season’s offerings have hipsters scrambling from one end of the fashion spectrum to the other, going from granny grunge to vixen luxe faster than you can say autumn. The return of the granny grunge has its followers busting out the remnants of their ’90s closet to channel Seinfeld’s Elaine Benes. Case in point: Chloë Sevigny. The fashion icon is hailed by the New York Times as the granny grunge’s new poster girl with her flirtier and cleaner take on the look. Even the runways weren’t spared from the granny grunge comeback. Fashion giants like Proenza Schouler, Lanvin, and Marc Jacobs all paid loving homage to the look with their offering of Dr. Martin-esque boots and grunge-glam accessories mixed up with sugary-sweet sheer dresses done in muted palettes.

Bring the new granny to the present by wearing knee-skimming hemlines, updated floral prints, tailored patterned jackets, and quirky elfin boots. Another option is to mix it up with the latest trend of pairing open-toed wedges with scrunched-up socks, taking your cue from the runway offerings of Burberry. Top that off with a pile of quirky accessories and you’re set to give it that 2010 flavor. The key to achieving the look is piling on layer over layer of lovingly relaxed clothing in subtle colors and varying textures. To avoid looking like a true-blue granny, make use of thin layers to prevent the clothes from bulking up. Also, be sure to pay close attention to the fit; nothing too baggy for this new granny.

On the other end of the spectrum, the vixen luxe end has its followers reaching for clothes that cling to all the right places. Black, the trademark of fall fashion, takes its place of honor as it is reinvented this season in textured fabrics finished off with subtle accents. Take your cue from Christophe Decarnin as he livens up Balmain’s fall offerings with surprising details — sequins, chains, leather, leopard, studs, you name it. Runway favorite Stella McCartney did her version of fall’s beloved color by going sheer — netting and mesh done in black exuding sexy with just a hint of mystery.

Give the often-repeated look a new life by slipping on funky-printed stilettos paired with sheer, tailored pieces. Don’t be afraid to mix it up, pair that tailored vest with booty-skimming hemlines. The idea is to streamline the look with body-skimming proportions topped off with luxe accessories. 

There’s really no need to break the bank to do your own take on this season’s trends, be it granny or sexy. The idea is to build around the pieces that are forever present in your wardrobes. So make like a schizophrenic and pull off your very own quick change act with the help of these beloved staples.

The bondage skirt

Take your pick between virgin quirky and vixen vamp then leave the rest to this striped, tight wonder.

The denim short

Change your look from rebel to luxe in a heartbeat by building around this short number.

The white tank

This baby can take you from girl-next-door and to rockin’ biker chick in a snap.