1. STRUCTURED CAPES

Capes by definition conjure up flowing, traveling swaths of heavy wintry fabric. Giambattista Valli reimagined them as structured pieces that maintain the cocoon-like shape of the cape, but the stay-still reliability of the coat. Cool.

2. MAXI-LENGTH BLOUSE DRESSES
The blouse dress is one of my fave trends to come out of the last two seasons. Its a silhouette that looks great on just about every shape and it’s perfect for work. Valentino created a maxi incarnation for fall and I love how the floor-grazing hemline makes these simple dresses formal.
3. TALL LACE-UP BOOTS

They’re prolly a bitch to get on and off, but these Alexander McQueen lace-ups would be a sexy addition to your boot collection. Wear them with a blouse dress, or leggings and an oversized sweater.
4. HEAD-TO-TOE LEATHER
Kinda like head-to-toe denim, an all-leather ensemble can be so right — or so wrong. Hermes (left) and Loewe got it right.
5. DRESSES YOU CAN HIDE THE SILVERWARE IN

It’s a whole lotta skirt, but the structured almost body-conscious top of this Giambattista Valli gown juxtaposed against the dramatically voluminous skirt makes me nostalgic for awards season. Wonder who we’ll see this on at next year’s Oscars.
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>SHOP: Spring 2011 on Bluefly — Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen & more!
>Oscars 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
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>Grammys 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
>Fall 2011 Fashion Week Coverage
[photos courtesy of Style.com]

Ok, so maybe the closest you’ve come to stomping a runway is striding down your hallway, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a sick shoe game.
These Manolo Blahnik ‘Anastasia’ pumps look fabulous with a dress or skirt, but can you imagine the wonders they’d do for a pantsuit?! They’re like a party on your feet yet the closed toe is tres office-friendly, no? Take a cue from our stylish friend in the photo and add black opaque tights to dial down the sex-ay.
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>SHOP: Spring 2011 on Bluefly — Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen & more!
>Oscars 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
>NEW: Real Housewife Kyle Richards’ Closet Confession
>Grammys 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
>Fall 2011 Fashion Week Coverage
[photo by Tommy Ton, courtesy of Style.com]

The Milan shows presented many incarnations of fall’s contrast trend from coats to dresses to boots constructed with contrasting patches of color, texture, and fabric. But the coats were the standouts as designers created coats that were not part of the outfit, but in most cases made the outfit. Here’s what we’re looking forward to.
CONTRAST DETAIL BOOTS

The looks at Prada (pictured above) evoked a modern vintage sensibility pairing detached hoods with mod contrast collar coats, flare-skirt dresses with knee grazing hemlines, and chic hand clutches. And then there were the boots — a sublime patchwork of snake skin, leather in contrasting colors. Love. Do you?
>Shop Prada shoes & boots starting at 20% off retail!

COATS THAT ARE PART OF THE OUTFIT

>Scoop up these Missoni coats for 60% off retail!
UPDATED PANTSUITS

>Shop Wear-to-Work Pants, Blazers & Blouses starting at 40% Off Retail
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>Oscars 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
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>Grammys 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
>Fall 2011 Fashion Week Coverage
[photos courtesy of Style.com]

1. PIECES THAT PLAY TRICKS ON YOUR EYES

2. POP YOUR COLLAR COATS

3. MILITARY DETAILS

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>NEW: Real Housewife Kyle Richards’ Closet Confession
>SAG Awards 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted
>Grammys 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
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>Fall 2011 Fashion Week Coverage
[photos courtesy of Style.com]

Okay after a week of running between Lincoln Center, the Piers, and the Social Media Week events at Hearst and JWT — and a blessed long weekend — we’ve* slept on the dizzying array of looks presented at New York Fashion Week. Here’s what we’re* psyched to see and wear next fall:
1. CONTRASTING SLEEVES

2. NOT-YOUR-SCHOOLGIRL PLAIDS

3. SUPER WIDE LEG JUMPSUITS

4. GEOMETRIC PRINTS

5. YOUNG VICTORIANS

6. MENSWEAR-INSPIRED WOMENSWEAR

7. THE STRAP-ON BERET

*By “we’re”, I mean our Blogging Editor Najwa Moses, Stylist Tanesha , Marketing Manager Hillary, Fashion Copywriters Jax, Urbi and Wendy, Intern Alyssa, and yours truly
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>Grammys 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
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>Fall 2011 Fashion Week Coverage
[photos courtesy of Style.com & Getty Images]

You know you’re in for a treat when Pat Cleveland, Bethann Hardison, and Tyson Beckford are rubbing elbows right in front of you. Such was the case at yesterday’s Stephen Burrows Fall 2011 show, held in Burrows’ loft space showroom in the heart of the fashion district. Pat’s presence was no surprise as her relationship with the designer spans decades. She’s passed the torch to her daughter Anna, who walked strutted the show. But really “show” is an understatement. Performance art was more like it.
The models were clearly told to slow down the now typical model stomp and instead gracefully glide; giving the audience a chance to drink in every look. They posed, they preened, they blew kisses — it was very reminiscent of the Shows (with a capital S) of the ’70s and ’80s. With every knowing glance and dramatic arm flourish, they made sure you knew they were no mere clothes hangers!

Speaking of clothes, those shown matched the drama of the ladies. Long flowing capes and gowns mixed with sharp graphic prints. Burrows thought of every occasion providing work friendly suiting and dresses as well easy casual pieces and evening wear. I walked out a little taller, eschewing the prevalent aloof, non-plussed attitude many in fashion share. There was a time that glamour reigned. It’s cool to care!

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>Grammys 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
>SAG Awards 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted
>NEW: Kimora Lee Simmons’ Closet Confession
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>Fall 2011 Fashion Week Coverage
[photos by Stefan Gossati, courtesy of Getty Images]

Elie Tahari‘s Fall 2011 collection felt very Robinhood and his band of merry men — and I mean that in a good way! Suede skinny pants were tucked into embroidered suede knee boots, topped by fur collared jackets of belted suede or leather. Some of the dresses even came with sheer capes embroidered with leaves. Lace, fur, suede and leather were key elements.

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>Grammys 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
>SAG Awards 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted
>NEW: Kimora Lee Simmons’ Closet Confession
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>Fall 2011 Fashion Week Coverage
[photo by Frazer Harrison, courtesy of Getty Images]

You know how when you’re wearing something new that’s just that dope, you tend to walk a little different? Well, I don’t know if the models were coached to adopt the “don’t hate me ’cause I’m beautiful swagger” Getty’s photogs captured them in, but they certainly seemed to have it as they presented Michael Kors‘ impossibly riche collection of lustrous furs, embossed leathers, and lush knits. Dresses were draped, tucked, and slit to fluid perfection, while trousers and jackets were cut sharp with matching overcoats acting as understudies to maxi-length suit jackets in some cases.

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>Grammys 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
>SAG Awards 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted
>NEW: Kimora Lee Simmons’ Closet Confession
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>Fall 2011 Fashion Week Coverage
[photo courtesy of Getty Images]

Who knew prim could be so sexy? For Fall 2011 Vera Wang presented Victorian era references — dresses with high-necked collars, knuckle-grazing long sleeves, mostly maxi lengths, and fussy details — in sheer mostly nude fabrics, styled with Goth accessories. Tucks, pleats, tiers, and ruffles were prominent, often in one piece, while asymmetrical hems were also a theme.

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>Grammys 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
>SAG Awards 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted
>NEW: Kimora Lee Simmons’ Closet Confession
>Like Us on Facebook!
>Fall 2011 Fashion Week Coverage

The Odd Molly presentation was infectiously young and playful. Bright, fuchsia florals were patched onto contrasting flower and paisley patterns, and styled with Cosby cum Christmas sweaters and precocius knee-high knit socks.
The skirts were trimmed with flirty ruffles and embroidered details — which was probably why pop-cult ’80s sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer was at the presentation too? Alexandra Richards manned the turntables. Fun!
–ALYSSA PACHAN

More…
>Grammys 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted.
>SAG Awards 2011: What They Wore. What We Tweeted
>NEW: Kimora Lee Simmons’ Closet Confession
>Like Us on Facebook!
>Fall 2011 Fashion Week Coverage
[photo by Mike Coppola, courtesy of Getty Images]