Orange for October

In the month of October, nothing makes me feel quite as festive as the color orange. And it's everywhere too!--in the leaves, in the pumpkins on display on front porches, in the seasonal cuisine at restaurants and bakeries, the color of the house I so desperately want to buy... With orange all around us, it's no wonder that you can find it in fashion too.

All of this has made me quite resolved that orange is the official color of October. So, with only a few days left in the month and with Halloween just around the corner, I thought I would embrace the spirit of the season by offering up some of my favorite orange options and suggestions on how to wear orange without overdoing it.

1. Orange for the toes: It's no secret that orange is a bold color. Hello, it's used for traffic cones! Clearly, wearing orange can be tricky, and determining the right shade of orange is half the battle. Which is why I'm loving this pair of peep-toe heels from J. Crew, where orange makes an appearance in a more subtle form, deliciously deemed "glazed pecan." The textural contrast of the soft flannel with the asymmetrical velvet bow is even further emphasized by the contrasting colors. While I typically hesitate to pair orange with black for obvious reasons, this burnt shade of orange allows for a tasteful bending of the rules.

2. Orange for the nails: Remember when I mentioned traffic cones? Believe it or not, there is a place in the world of fashion for those ridiculously bright oranges too (and you know how I adore neon!). From Essie's Fall 2009 line comes Bright Tights, an outrageously orange pop! of color that is somehow reminiscent of both candy corn and highlighters. For the sake of practicality, I recommend using it on your toes, as orange isn't necessarily the most versatile color choice.

3. Orange for the arm: If you're one of those fashionistas that has trouble committing to a color, a handbag offers a fashionable solution. A brightly colored handbag is a perfect statement accessory, and it can conveniently be swapped for something else if the mood strikes. Although, if I were the proud owner of this gorgeous Marc Jacobs orange leather bag, I would be hard-pressed to trade it in.

4. Orange for the bod: If you're feeling daring, I fully support the plunge into orange apparel. As far as wardrobe goes, this brilliant color is amazingly suited to navy. For a casual day, this means yes! to your dark wash denim. For a working gal? Navy suit pants or a skirt would really play up an orange top, such as this blinged out cardigan from Marc Jacobs. You're sure to dazzle in this statement piece, with a playful combination of thin navy stripes and thicker stripes made of sequins. It should go without saying that this is not for the pattern-phobic.

5. Orange to stay warm: Last but not least, let us not forget that it's coldddd outside! Stay warm in style with boldly colored outerwear, like this soft wool coat from Kate Spade. Not to brag, but a coat like this is made for a brunette, as dark hair is accentuated by the rich orange. This stunning coat is all about the details, with a high-waisted fit, princess seams, and unique gold domed buttons. Plus, an added surprise is the adorable lipstick print lining. How much cuter can you get?

Have I made a case for orange yet? Even if you're staying in for Halloween this year, you can stay in and stay fashionably festive by adding orange to your October. I'm not one for tricks, but orange is quite the treat!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Pumpkin, photo by me!; (2) Molly Flannel Platform Peep Toe in glazed pecan $200, from J. Crew (www.jcrew.com); (3) Bright Tights $8, new from the Fall 2009 collection by Essie (www.essie.com); (4) Marc Jacobs Elise Leather Bag $895, now on pre-order from the Cruise 2010 collection, from Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com); (5) Gina Beaded Sweater Cardigan $278, Marc By Marc Jacobs, available from Bloomingdales (www.bloomingdales.com); (6) Beacon Hill Deborah Pea Coat $645, from Kate Spade (www.katespade.com).