For a fashion season everyone from buyers and bloggers to the banks have been lamenting, things didn't seem nearly so grim this week. At least from our Fashion Week perch. In fact, we had to remind ourselves a few times it was the fall/winter season, what with all the warm-weather-perfect chiffons, winter whites, summer yellows and pale pinks, and virtually non-existent outerwear.
Well, no biggie. We're happy to buck up and wear our favorite Acne and Karen Walker coats from last season just to spend a little extra next fall on some of our favorite looks from New York Fashion Week—a perfect little red dress that turned up not once but six times and counting, dreamy shades of dusty pink and putty (over opaque tights, très chic), and convertible jackets that smartly switch from cropped to top-coat. Though the editing was tough, we've narrowed down our list to 15 looks that took the season. All we can say is, start saving your pennies now.
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1. Cat Power—What can we say? Leopard and other cat prints will always be in style for us. So, of course, we were more than happy to see plenty of feline inspiration on the runway at Derek Lam, DvF, and more. Above, from left: Chris Benz, Diane von Furstenberg, Oscar de la Renta, Rachel Comey, photos via style.com.
2. Boots For Getting High—It wouldn't be crazy to suggest maybe saving up your whole fall wardrobe coffers just to buy a great pair of GOOD over-the-knee boots. The right ones (Marc Jacobs, Rodarte) are more Mad Max, less Trannie. Above, from left: Rodarte, Ohne Titel, Yigal Azrouël, photos via style.com
4. The Wild Bunch—We don't advocate fur, but we know lots of you out there love it, so we will tell you that the fur gillets we saw this season from designers like Phillip Lim and Derek Lam seemed practical and chic. Above, from left: Alexandre Herchcovitch, Rachel Comey, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Derek Lam, photos via style.com.
5. Electric Company—Bust out your box of crayons—designers were all over high-impact saturated jewel tones, from amethyst to ruby red. For winter, these gem-tones seemed like a stroke of genius. Above, from left: Yigal Azrouël, Chris Benz, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler photos via style.com.
6. Lightness of Being—Light and frothy chiffon in winter? Yes. Yes, yes, yes! We got it from Matthew Williamson, Chris Benz, Thakoon, the list goes on. Over cozy Wolford tights, it'll work for us. Above, from left: Chris Benz, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Thakoon, Zac Posen, photos via style.com.
7. Little Red—We still love the LBD, but the LRD seems so right for the times. Kind of the equivalent of wearing red lipstick during war times to cheer the troops up. It's your duty, don't you know, to look amazing. Above, from left: Derek Lam, Thakoon, Yigal Azrouël, Zac Posen, photos via style.com.
8. The Modern Goddess—Draping and ruching had a more modern, practical theme for the fall/winter season. And dare we say, these looks almost seemed appropriate for the office, too. Sexy and sophisticated. Above, from left: Derek Lam, Yigal Azrouël, Altazurra, Max Azria, photos via style.com.
9. A (nother) Donna Moment—Is it us or are we seeing more and more references to the great Donna Karan circa '80s on the runways lately? These slouchy but still tailored coats reminded us of those Working Girl years in the best possible way. Above, from left: Derek Lam, Donna Karan, Preen, Ralph Lauren, photos via style.com.
10. Pale Shelter—There were so many variations on the pale pink/putty theme, we almost stopped counting how many times we saw it. The good news is, we never tired of it, and are still wondering which dress we might finally make our own. Above, from left: Rachel Comey, shipley & halmos, VPL, Thakoon, photos via style.com.
11. Short and Sweet—It won't keep you warm, but there's no doubt you'll look good in the season's short and sweet bolero jacket, made nearly perfect by Alexander Wang and Julian Louie in particular. Above, from left: Alexander Wang, Ruffian, Julian Louie, shipley & halmos, photos via style.com.
12. Maxi'd Out—Sequins is another trend that seems to want to hang around. And why not? Sparkle makes us feel good. So, it makes sense that instead of retreating, we would only be met with MORE sequins, right down to the floor. Above, from left: Bagley Mischka , Vera Wang, Matthew Williamson, Chris Benz, photos via style.com.
13. Body Snatchers—When we first saw all those great catsuits and turtlenecks at Shipley & Halmos linking one look to the next, we had a feeling we'd be seeing more. And we did. We spotted other sorts of dance-wear and bodysuits at Alex Wang and Julian Louie, too. Above, from left: Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, VPL, Julian Louie, photos via style.com.
14. Convertibles in Winter—In this economy, who doesn't love two looks for the price of one? We loved the convertible styles we spotted at both Karen Walker and Alexander Wang. Genius. Above, from left: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Karen Walker, 3.1 Phillip Lim, photos via style.com
15. Power Puffs—A softer, more girlish version of the hard and sharp Dynasty shoulder we saw at Couture revealed itself on several New York runways, including Zac Posen, PHI, and Marc Jacobs. Above, from left: Zac Posen, PHI, Yigal Azrouël, Marc Jacobs.