Jackets Required by Sharon Mosley on Creators.com

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Jackets Required

If you only buy one thing this season to add to your wardrobe, make it a great jacket. It's the starting point for fall fashion and the foundation for every major statement. But don't think you can get away with wearing just any old thing. The jackets this year are getting personal; they've got loads of individual style. In other words, find one that you love and you'll end up getting your money's worth for years to come.

The good news is that there are plenty of different styles of jackets to choose from, and there are all kinds of ways to wear them. Find that perfect jacket, and mix and match with basics you already have in your closet. However, remember, it's more "mismatching" that usually makes a modern wardrobe more interesting. Here's a quick checklist of what to shop for this fall:

— The boyfriend jacket. It's got the strong shoulders and the longer length. It's the perfect jacket to toss over slim trousers or skinny jeans, but some of these jackets can overwhelm you. Try them on and make sure they give you a smooth silhouette. Don't get too carried away with the "slouchy" look — a la the Olsen twins, who look adorable in anything they wear even if it's two sizes too big.

— The cropped jacket. There are lots of variations to this style. You can find these shorter jackets in roomy, swingy A-line cuts or very boxy and buttoned up. Three-quarter sleeves are perfect with the season's popular longer gloves. This is definitely a jacket style that you have to try on to see if it flatters your body shape. Most of us actually look better in jackets that have a little more length and therefore more coverage, if you know what I mean.

In other words, if you've got a big butt, you'll want to skip this one.

— The tweed jacket. Miss Marple? No way. The new tweeds are more "sexy secretary" than frumpy. Try layering a shorter tweed jacket over a longer tunic with jeans for a great weekend look. And yes, these are always great for the office. Instead of wearing them with trousers, pair a menswear tweed with a short shift dress.

— The military jacket. Now, this one makes a statement. Balmain was a big promoter of this look (Michael Jackson actually was a big fan of their jackets), and many fashion designers have incorporated one or two styles into their fall collections. This style with all its fanfare may not be for the faint of fashion heart, but let the rock star roll in you. Go with it when you want to make a big "over the top" impression.

— The motorcycle jacket. Closely akin to the military style, the leather biker jackets this fall are also revving up with statement-making power. The more zippers and hardware the better! Jeans, of course, are the standard "go-with" for this jacket, but the newest way to wear the retro classic is over a chiffon sheath dress. Funky!

— The knit topper. From knit blazers to cardigan coats to boucle jersey cocoon wraps, the soft topper is a great contrast to slick leather and menswear tailoring. And of course, we know knits are always the most comfortable thing we can wear.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.