Fall fashion takes a tailored turn

On him: Turtleneck ($158), belt ($48), both from Banana Republic; slacks ($39.90), H&M; Johnston & Murphy shoes ($99). On her: Jacket ($148), gloves ($128), turtleneck ($88), slacks ($98), all from Banana Republic; necklace ($140), earrings ($22), Full Circle Artisan (www.fullcircleartisans.com); shoes ($99), Nordstrom. (J.B. Forbes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/MCT)

Ready or not, summer clothes are flying out of stores on sale racks, and wool ensembles are filling in the gaps. Goodbye, cotton jersey tube dress. Hello, elbow-length swing coat. Good-bye, flip-flops. Hello, shoe boot. Hey, this might not be such a bad transition after all.

Fall fashion is taking a tailored turn. No more layering seven items on top of one another to achieve one look. Fall is about simplicity and sophistication. Updated takes on 1940s and even some 1920s fashions are at the forefront, and the looks are decidedly fresh and glamorous.

Here’s a look at what’s in and out this season:

Hot: Faux and real crocodile and python accessories; thick, medium and thin belts (simple, not overly ornate); oversized clutch; sleek, structured clothing; trouser-leg jeans; sheath dress with belted waist; gray (from brown gray to green and blue gray); shoe boot; pitch-black hosiery; big buttons; fitted ’20s- and ’40s-inspired wool hats.

Not: The huge bulbous ’60s-mod neon yellow and stark white beads; ornate, studded and jeweled belts; sloppy hobo handbags and small chain-handle bags; baggy layered looks; skinny jeans (OK, not entirely, but definitely waning); short-sleeve-T-shirt-under-the-dress look; flat black-on-black ensembles (you’ve got to add some patent, sequin, beads or satin); pointed-toe stiletto heels; footless tights; delicate dainty prints; cowboy hats.