Wo(MENS)wear

I have to admit, I feel most comfortable, confident, and satisfied with myself as a whole when I dress like a man. I used to think it was a personal thing; my broad shoulders and general lack of curves adapt well to androgynous ensembles...but then, the suits exploded onto the runways last year. And the outfits inspired by suits. And the blazers...and the pleated pants! Now, the terms "menswear-inspired" and "boy-meets-girl" are being used to describe almost every big show, in a frenzy of boxy outerwear and tailored separates that hasn't been seen since the early 90's. Every variation, from the laid-back grandpa look to the tuxedoed suitor has been yanked from the mens' bedroom floors and dressers, and brought over to the ladies' closet. And not for no reason...we look good in that stuff too!

Click on any designer's name to see their full runway show.

Paul Smith (Fall 2011)

The Row (Fall 2011)

United Bamboo (Fall 2011)

Yves Saint Laurent (Fall 2011)

Stella McCartney (Fall 2011)

Celine (Fall 2011)

Alexander Wang (Fall 2011)

All runway photos courtesy of Style.com

Desert's Fall

Even in the dead of winter, the Southwest is an inspiring and beautiful place. These almost Native American inspired stripes are drawing my mind there in a serious way. It's an unusual look for fall, but I find it to be both appealing and fresh.

Click on any designer's name to see their full runway show.

Thakoon (Fall 2011)

Proenza Schouler (Fall 2011)

Antionio Berardi (Fall 2011)

M. Patmos (Fall 2011)

Derek Lam (Fall 2011) Malandrino (Fall 2011) Band of Outsiders (Fall 2011) All runway photos courtesy of Style.com

Warm, Fuzzy & Woolly

It looks like this freezing winter has affected our beloved New York designers....it inspired the coziest outfits ever! These looks from the newest Fall '11 shows are serious inspiration for snuggling up to a nice fire or...a new Valentine? From Band of Outsider's decadent fur scarf to the pure simplicity of United Bamboo's sweater and leggings, I've found plenty of reasons to stay in until Spring!

Click on any designer's name to see their full runway show.

Givenchy (Fall 2011)

Boy by Band of Outsiders (Fall 2011)

United Bamboo (Fall 2011)

Charlotte Ronson (Fall 2011)


Rag & Bone (Fall 2011)


Suno (Fall 2011)

All runway photos courtesy of Style.com

In The Trenches

Yes, it's been overplayed, but for some reason a sharp trench coat never looks bad no matter who made it. Here's a few of my recent favorites:

Click on any designer's name to see their full runway show.

Celine (Pre-Fall 2011)

Viktor & Rolf (Pre-Fall 2011)

United Bamboo (Pre-Fall 2011)

3.1 Phillip Lim (Spring 2011)

Organic by John Patrick (Spring 2011)

Antonio Berardi (Spring 2011)

Alexander Wang (Spring 2011)

All runway photos courtesy of Style.com

Utilitario

The Pre-Fall 2011 shows are beginning to show themselves...I am always drawn to the Pre-Fall collections, because they show the core of what a designer is feeling at that moment. Not too done up or wild, just straight up design.

The below Thakoon shows where the military trend mashed up with Minimalism to create the simple and flattering Utility look. It was visible in the Spring shows as well, and I'm happy to see it continue. Boxy silhouettes and straight lines with a few over-sized pockets here and there; something so straightforward is hard to dislike!

Click on any designer's name to see their full runway show.

Thakoon (Pre-Fall 2011)

Acne (Spring 2011)

Behnaz Sarafpour (Spring 2011)

Nicole Farhi (Spring 2011)

Sonia Rykiel (Spring 2011)

All runway photos courtesy of Style.com

The Sweater Song

This is why I look forward to Fall. Is there anything more to say?

I LOVE SWEATERS

Click on any designer's name to see their full runway show.

Acne (Spring 2011)

ADAM (Spring 2011)

Rag & Bone (Spring 2011)

3.1 Phillip Lim (Spring 2011)

Willow (Spring 2011)

Steven Alan (Spring 2011)

All runway photos courtesy of Style.com and NYMag.com

GEO-Drape

It's a new kind of goddess this season. Never mind the soft curves of the original Greeks, these ladies have places to go! These structured fabrics create beautiful shapes - triangles, trapezoids...Buckminster Fuller would be proud!

Peter Pilotto (Spring 2011)

VPL (Spring 2011)

Christian Cota (Spring 2011)

Antonio Berardi (Spring 2011)

Ohne Titel (Spring 2011)

All runways courtesy of NYmag.com

Pale Green With Envy

Last season's neutrals have brightened into some beautiful pastels for Spring. These shades of green are luscious and refreshing - and not your average green! Here are some of my favorites.

Click on any designer's name to see their full runway show.

Alexandre Herchovitch (Spring 2011)

Alexander Wang (Spring 2011)

Gary Graham (Spring 2011)

Complex Geometries (Spring 2011)

Cynthia Rowley (Spring 2011)

A show-goer at Fashion Week 9/13/10

All photos courtesy of Style.com and NYmag.com

Suited Up

Let's all have a moment of silence for the distressed look. Patch up the holes in your oversized shredded tee and put your artfully destroyed jeans in storage, because this year we welcome a new woman into town. She's professional and clean cut, feminine but not old fashioned. And what's her new investment? THE SUIT.

I welcome the suit back with open arms. It reminds me fondly of exploring my mom's closet in high school and admiring her power suits from the early nineties. So respectable and strong!There are dozens of exquisite interpretations from this year to be seen and loved. Here are a few of my favorites.

Click on any designer's name to see their full runway show.

Stella McCartney (Resort 2011)

Brian Reyes (Resort 2011)

Kenzo (Resort 2011)

Cerutti (Resort 2011)

Chloe (Resort 2011)

All runway photos courtesy of Style.com