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The Nordstrom Designer Preview is upon us (if you were able to score a ticket, you’re psyched, if not, check back next week for our play-by-play) and we sat down for a quick e-chat with Vogue market editor Cynthia Smith (who will be at the event tonight as the magazine’s representative) for her take on what makes a trend, her top three favorite ones for fall and why you might want to consider keeping your gray pieces in the closet this year.

Seattle Magazine: What are your top three trends for fall?
Cynthia Smith: Oversize coats, flirty dresses, and shine. My runway favorites included the Proenza Schouler supercharged coat with new volume and dimensionality. I especially love the exaggerated peplums to emphasize the waist. Swingy, swishy, flirty dresses are a Vogue must—Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy knows how to make a woman feel beautiful and sexy with his pale pink butterfly print crepe dress. Time to shine: a gorgeous mix of embellishments, crystals, and paillettes, from colorful sequins at Mary Katrantzou to star-studded patterns at Alexander McQueen.

SM: What makes a trend when it comes to the runway? Three of something from several designers, or just a sense of zeitgeist?
CS: Sometimes they’re obvious—you’ll see variations of a shoe or a print or a shape throughout the collections. Other times, they’re more part of the bigger picture; Saint Laurent’s glitter boots, for example, make a wonderful complement to Marco de Vincenzo’s shimmery coats for fall.

SM: What were some of your favorite shows from fall that are also at the Preview—a collection that you’re excited to revisit on the runway?
CS: I loved seeing Dolce & Gabbana again! The second time was just as lyrical as the first, with its sweeping shades of plum to deep scarlet across a variety and floral prints.

SM: What should people put away from last fall (i.e., what’s not playing well this season?) and what should they keep?
CS: Gray was everywhere last fall—gray coats, gray knits. This time around, it’s all about being bolder with your color choices on outerwear. Go for it! From vibrant pop-colored dyes at Versace to retro-funky shearlings at Prada and stripes at Marni, they’re investment pieces, but with a bit of spark.