“Who will I be?..” The words ran repeatedly through my head as I took inventory of last year’s fall clothes hanging in my closet. My boho-print t-shirts seemed worn out, sloppy yet tailored jackets, now several years old, were looking good again but not as bold compared to the crisp, structured styles gracing the covers of current fashion magazines. I had always liked both extremes. Why was the choice so confusing?

I recently found myself standing beneath the statue of a pensive William Shakespeare with words inscribed from his play, As You Like It: “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players.” I suddenly had the answers I was looking for to describe the fall season’s broad range of fashion choices.

The opportunity to dress in a way that defines your individuality has a far greater presence this season than before. A multitude of styles showed up on fall runways with worldwide influences from every single decade of the 20th century for women. Familiar styles ranging from 1920’s art deco prints and flapper style dresses, 40’s inspired pencil skirts, and 80’s architectural-shaped jackets create a broad range of options for dressing in a favorite role. In other words, anything goes! Choose your part and play it well.

Lux fabrications in lace, cashmere and fur offer little hint of the economy’s tightened purse strings. Purple reigns supreme as the new prince of color for both men and women and offers an artistic palette to spice up traditional pinstripes, pattern shirts and ties.

Crisp, tucked and lean define men’s sleek suiting and separates this season with new twists on pattern mixing. Jeffrey Ross, of Jeffrey Thomas in Upper Arlington, offers “bolts of color” in luxury fabrics such as cashmere on the men’s and women’s sportswear fence. Traditional camel appears everywhere in fine gauge cashmere sweaters, coats, trenches and flat front slim pants.

According to Kevin Van Order, director of sales for Dr. Mojoe in the Short North, the skinny jean remains strong in clean, dark washes perfect for day or evening wear. Vests help refine the look of distressed or worn jeans.

In a season with so many options, choosing “the look” which best suits your style may seem daunting. To simplify, we’ve listed each decade along with the look and shapes that identified the era and that are influencing fall window dressing in Columbus.

1910’s – Aristocratic opulence in Victorian-inspired brocades, taffeta and fur and equestrian tailored long jackets, capes and ruffled blouses can be found in a new collection from Etro at Godfrey’s new Polaris location.

1920’s – Parisian glam noir fuses hues of black, gray and silver metal, lace, deco prints and chunky, layered costume jewelry for dramatic effect a’ la Chanel. Across the ocean, boyish flapper dresses ruled the day as well as tuxedo-style jackets.

1930’s – Bias-cut long satin dresses, dramatic necklines with pleated ruffles and fur capes, coats and wraps offer a look back at the sensuous power of a screen gem’s allure. Sophisticated glam in fur capes and accessories will find their way in a remodeled le Flair boutique window in Dublin Plaza.

1940’s – Broad-shouldered suits and coats narrowly belted and nipped in the waist with mid-length skirts pay homage to Joan Crawford’s pre-wartime dressing. The decade evolved into more feminine blouses with tied bows and full, puffy sleeves. Connie Leal Ballinger, of Leal in Upper Arlington, is excited to see the return of “pulled together” outfits, especially Lauren Bacall’s signature high-waisted, flat-front pants worn with a cropped cashmere or bouclé jacket.

1950’s – A smartly dressed women in short cropped jackets and dresses with a full swing or slim pencil skirt creates a feminine hour-glass shape reminiscent of this decade. Alison Jayjack, manager of Principessa in Grandview, is looking forward to the return of lady-like suits and tied front blouses. Tight fitting jeans were the rage for 50’s rebel teens and are now updated in new straight leg versions for guys and gals.

1960’s – Clean, structured box jackets inspired by the Jackie Kennedy suit to hippy inspired boho-chic fringe, mini skirts, shorts, knee-high boots and frilly frocks in printed florals graced many cat-walks this season.

1970’s – School-girl short skirts, tucked in crisp, white blouses and knee-high socks once considered preppy are back. Platform shoes have returned with artful details. Don’t forget the glitzy lame tops and Studio 54-inspired sequined disco pants for evening. Yes, they’re back.

1980’s – There is an onslaught of 80’s fashions making a comeback. Architectural suiting with strong-shouldered jackets; British invasion plaids; and club-inspired nightlife looks ranging from skinny-legged jeans, stud-encrusted handbags, shoes and pointy, stiletto pumps. Jinny Fillinger, of Jinny’s in the Short North, defines the woman of the era as one who knows how to dress the part in confident, form-fitted suits.

1990’s – Best described by Maren Roth, owner of Rowe boutique in the Short North, as “Dumpster chic-grunge with 90’s style leather jackets, flannels, plaids, chunky sweaters and parachute pants reinvented for 2008. The look is favored by the 90210 kids who grew up wearing oversized clothes, biker boots, Doc Martens, Chuck Taylor All-Stars and metal jewelry.”

Now that you’re ready to shop, here’s a tip on window shopping: Look for the setting that draws you in – that feels right. Today it may be a grungy street-inspired look that represents freedom and individuality. Tomorrow it might be a strong, precisely cut black sculpted dress which empowers you to walk inside and buy.

Whatever it is, the stage is set, the character you choose to help define your style is purely up to you. All you have to do is simply decide who will you be?

Laura Baciu is a wardrobe consultant and contributing writer for CityScene. More information is available at her Web site, www.baciustyle.com.