It's that time of year when many of us cheer on our favorite teams. When the weather drops a few degrees, we begin to pull out the fall fashion favorites. Let's admit it: Some of us will sweat a little bit in order to wear something with longer sleeves, but we're not about to sacrifice comfort!

"Fashion this season is all about building a wardrobe that is updated yet comfortable-casual chic at its best," says Renee Guida, spokesperson for Bob's Stores, a chain of 34 stores in New England. "Today's fashion is much more relaxed, which means that clothing and accessories look as good as they feel."

But that doesn't mean you can get away with wearing that holey T-shirt and jeans to the tailgate party and the big game. Instead, put some spirit into it.

Here are some suggestions from the fashion experts at Bob's Stores:

For the guys:

— Keep it neutral. Avoid becoming carried away with the bright colors. Stick to the "tried and true" navy, brown and black; you can't go wrong with these traditional favorites. The deep, rich fall colors such as dark reds, blues and greens are good bets too.

— Go for the classics. Look for long-sleeve polos, especially in a solid twill or jersey fabric. If you'd like to try something new, stick to sueded jersey crews, henleys and thermal crew-necks.

— Warm up with pattern. Long-sleeve patterned shirts are especially appealing due to their wrinkle-free consistency; brushed jersey appears new in bright solids and colorful stripes. Plaid patterns are usually a good option. Plaid shirts are a classic standby — layer with sweaters once the weather becomes cooler.

— Chinos are still the basic "a little dressed up more than jeans" staple in any guy's closet. Flat front styles are considered more fashion forward.

— You can never go wrong with denim. Denim remains the popular choice for grounding the modern casual wardrobe. Just remember that the more faded and washed the jean, the more casual. The darker washes are much dressier.

— Don't forget the shoes. Men's casual footwear runs the gamut from athletic slides to casual moccasins to boat shoes. Take your pick: the darker the color, the better for fall.

For the girls:

— Sweaters are the basis for the casual and comfortable fall wardrobe. As we all know, one is never enough. Look for sweaters to layer over what you already have in your closet. A white shirt is a great starting place.

— Stock up on pullover and cardigan cotton sweaters in bright colors that will mix and match with other T-shirts and camisoles in your clothing attire. For fall, stick to a deep and rich color palette: charcoal, navy, fuchsia, purple, green and camel.

— For a twist, consider adding stripes to your basic neutral shirts and tees. Think argyles, cables and ribs to add some interest to solids.

— When the weather becomes really cold, it's time to add oversized sweaters in nubby yarns, sweater coats and vests. Layering is the new way to add some fashion personality to your casual clothes.

— Any item goes with jeans. Whether it's the slim cuts, the boot legs (the most flattering on most people) or the wide legs, stick to what is most pleasing to your body type. Try wearing leggings with boots.

— Pay attention to your footwear. If your feet hurt, you don't feel happy about how you look. Buckle up in casual heels (that aren't too high), flats, oxfords or clogs. Sneakers have also become more fashionable; they can take you to new heights in comfort when you're cheering on your favorite team this fall.

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.

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