LUST LIST: Fall in Love with Fall Fashion

Though the leaves have yet to change, and the warm weather in New York begs otherwise: as of Tuesday it is officially fall. And with autumn's arrival comes the need for a wardrobe update. If you haven't already started your fall shopping, now is the time to pick up a few key pieces to transition you through the season. Below is a lust list of this years' fashion favorites to bring your wardrobe up to date:

MAD ABOUT MENSWEAR

School Boy and Boyfriend Blazers

The perfect way to polish off an outfit and ward off those autumn chills. Throw one of these on over a t-shirt and jeans, or a long dress and push up the sleeves for an effortless feel.

J.Crew School Boy Blazer - $188
J.Crew Boyfriend Blazer - $215
Bop Basics Boyfriend Blazer - $190

*PSST: Though their websites don't allow you to shop, check out Zara and Madewell for fantastic boyfriend blazers from $75 to $148

Worker Boots

Work it out...not only is this style comfy, but these boots will give your look a cool laid back vibe.

Frye Boot - $228
We Who See Boot - $78
Seychelles Boot - $178

PERFECTLY FLAWED

Destroyed Skinnies

Ripped in all the right places...these are great to slim down a voluminous slouchy top or toughen up a conservative blazer.

Bullhead Jeans - $42
Silence and Noise Jeans - $68
BDG Jeans - $58

Laser Cut Leggings 

With slices running up the front or down the sides, these leggings add texture to an otherwise simple silhouette.

 
Silence & Noise Legging - $38
Leyendecker- $132
David Lerner Legging - $130

Shredded T's

These tattered t's are carefully created to go beyond grungy and rebellious, somehow managing to also be be delicate and sexy. Just make sure to pair these with a simple skinny jean or legging, any more holes in your outfit and you'll look like you ran into a cheese-grater.

Ebay - $130
Blue Life Shirt - $145

Raw 7 -$150

*PSSST: Don't have $150 bucks lying around to spend on a ripped up t-shirt? Make one yourself! http://fashionindie.com/do-it-yourself-shredded-t-shirt/

ALL ABOUT ACCESSORIES

Statement Necklaces

Turn a simple outfit from bleak to chic by adding a large statement necklace. These are pure perfection with anything and everything from a simple t-shirt to a cocktail dress.

Roarke necklace - $395
Banana Republic - $80
Forever 21 necklace -$14.80

Over-The-Knee Boots

Kick up your wardrobe with a thigh high boot. Rock 'em with a mini skirt or shorts, but remember that it's all about proportion here, so make sure you balance it all out with a more conservative topper (read: Boyfriend Blazer!)

Matisse Footwear Boot - $272
Ash Boots - $462
Twelfth St. By Cynthia Vincent Boot - $475

COVET THY COLOR

Red Lipstick

Polish off any look with a classic red lip. Best worn with minimal or no eye makeup at all, a sassy pout never goes out of style.

Mac Lipstick in Russian Red - $14
Nars Lipstick in Jungle Red - $24
Lorac Lipstick in Recieve - $19

-Natty

RUNWAY RECAP: NY Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week-SS 2010

New York fashion week is over and emotions are mixed for the fashion set. After a whirlwind of shows, presentations and parties we are left to digest the latest cornucopia of creations. These designs will dictate the near future of fashion, and begin the cycle of translating runway to retail. So just what will we have to look forward to next spring summer season? Here are some of the highlights:

NEW NEUTRALS

Herve Leger

This season, Azria took his curve hugging Herve designs beyond bondage and embraced texture. While the silhouette was familiarly body conscious, a soft palette of grey-blue embroidery, gold crochet and intricately pleated skirts gave the collection some breathing room.

  Halston
   

  Tuleh

FUN AND FLIRTY

Diane Von Furstenberg

Printed dresses layered with romantic accessories and embellishments are what we have come to expect from this female friendly designer. As usual, Diane drew on her world travels for inspiration, citing the Nile and Indian temples as the inspiration for her "Desert Queen".

  Nicole Fahri


Tibi

KHAKI IS BACK-I

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang's popularity marches on, fueled by his latest collection of quite literally inspired sportswear. Cheeky interpretations of football, baseball, fencing and rugby wearables included football shaped clutches and shoulder pads.

Erin Fetherston


  Matthew Williamson

WORKING CLASS(IC)

Victoria Beckham

In her third season showing at NYC Fashion Week, Victoria proves once again that she does have an eye...or two lurking behind those big dark glasses. Corseting, banded waists and structured silhouettes represent Victoria Beckham's signature focus on flattering the female figure.

Derek lam

-Natty

A NATTY NUGGET: Fashion's Night Out

Tonight is a big night for fashionistas in New York City as dozens of boutiques and businesses open their doors for late night hours and party hopping in an effort to celebrate fashion. For those who don't know, Fashion's Night Out is a worldwide initiative sponsored by Vogue and the CFDA to promote retail and consumer confidence. Participants are staying open until 11pm and are offering various delightful incentives to drive traffic and sales, while giving fashionphiles a head start on their favorite time of the year; Fashion Week. With so many places contributing to the event, it's hard to know which will be worth braving the well-dressed crowds in search of a good time. Here is a guide to some of the most happening, hot-spots to hit this evening:

Bergdorf Goodman 754 Fifth Ave., nr. 57th St. (212-753-7300) Why bother: Andre Leon Tally will host a Fashion Rules Game Show, MK and Ashley Olsen will tend bar, and Isaac Mizrahi will perform a cabaret act...seriously? This should be everyones first stop!

Barneys New York 660 Madison Ave., at 61st St. (212-826-8900) Why bother: Alexander Wang will be giving lessons to wanna-be catwalkers on how to work a runway, and what could be better entertainment for fashion week? Not convinced? Then try your hand at knitting with Wool and the gang, meet the designers behind Kiki de Montparnasse, and pick up some freebies at the beauty counters

Saks Fifth Avenue 611 Fifth Ave., at 50th St. (212-753-4000) Why bother: Get the chance to mingle with iconic designers like Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera and Peter Som. Plus the beauty department here is rumored to be offering a whole host of freebies (even more than Barneys!) Gucci 725 Fifth Ave., at 56th St. (212-826-2600) Why bother: Free Fashion's Night Out T-Shirts! (the kind everyone else is selling for $35)

Burberry 131 Spring St., nr. Greene St. (212-925-9300) Why bother: Enter to win a classic Burberry trench coat, and enjoy champagne and hors d'oeuvres while you cross your fingers...


Georgio Armani 760 Madison Ave., at 66th St. (212-988-9191) Why bother: Nora Ephron and Rosie O'Donnel will do a reading from the off-broadway play, Love, Loss, and What I Wore.

Kiki de Montparnasse 79 Greene St., between Spring and Broom (212.965.8070) Why bother: Champagne and aphrodisiacs to get you in the mood on while perusing their "Instruments of Pleasure" bar

Bumble and Bumble 146 E. 56th St., nr. Lexington Ave. (212-521-6500) Why bother: Free updoes and champagne!

C.O Bigelow 414 Sixth Ave., nr. 9th St.; (212-473-7324) Why bother: Free soda from a vintage soda fountain and freebie lip glosses!

Chanel 139 Spring St., at Wooster St. (212-334-0055) Why bother: Free manicures in Chanel's limited edition color: Jade.

Tracy Reese (641 Hudson St., nr. Gansevoort; 212-807-0505) Why bother: Darling drinks like the "Frocktail" and the "Plentini" - plus free manicures by Sally Hansen manicurists!

Space N.K 99 Greene St., nr. Spring St. (212-941-4200) Why bother: Free face masks and mini-facials, plus goodie bags stuffed with samples For more information, visit: http://fashionsnightout.com/

-Natty

CURRENTLY COVETING: Thigh-High Boots

Vogue Paris-September 2009

Boots: one of the most basic forms of footwear, and yet one with such considerable variety. Through the decades boots have gone in and out of popularity, morphing from functional to fashionable and back again. There were the tall and squared off Go-Go boots of the 60's and the lofted platforms of the 70's. Stomping the scene in the early 90's, Dr. Marten combat boots commanded the respect of just about every fashionphile. Later, unexpected UGGs took the US by storm with their Aussie appeal and everyone from celebs to housewives seemed to be wearing them with denim miniskirts and shorts. Soon after, western boots made a resurgence, peeking out under long prairie skirts and over jeans, beginning the major trend of boots worn over pants. Most recently and no doubt influenced by the popularity of leggings and skinny jeans, the look has evolved to various forms of tall boots. Be it a lace-up granny boot, or a simple round-toe style, the one similarity that they share is tall calves. Each season the shafts seem to creep up a couple of inches and finally this fall, we are introduced to a dramatic new style; the thigh-high boot. We had a sneak peek at Chanel's version in 2006, featured in The Devil Wears Prada, and the fashion forward were already sneaking them in last season...but this is the first chance most of us have to get our hands on a pair of our own. Stomping down the runways and into our closets - we welcome the thigh-high boot as one of 2009's most notable fashion statements.

Lacoste, Rodarte, Louis Vuitton, Isabel Marant

But tread lightly...if not properly styled, even the chicest pair will come across more street walker than street smart. If you wear them with a short skirt, keep your top layered and loose. If you wear them over jeans, a smart blazer will offer balance to your outfit.

SHOP THE LOOK:

Juicy Couture Boots - $500, Chloe Boots - $1095 Joie Boots - $525, Yves Saint Laurent Boots: $1855

SNEAK PEAK: This fall, Jimmy Choo will be the first shoe designer to do a capsule collection for H&M. The much anticipated line includes a more affordable version of their thigh-high boot. Unfortunately they appear to look even cheaper than their price tag:

Jimmy Choo for H&M Boots (available in November) - $345

-Natty