This Season, Fall for Skirts

In the army now

What to try: Army green is the color of the season. Popular last spring and summer, this neutral cool color will continue to be a big hit for months to come. While you can find this military-inspired shade in a variety of styles, we especially love the hue when fashioned in a feminine shape. Try this Higgledy-Piggledy pencil skirt, $148 at Anthropologie.

Keep in mind: Surprisingly, olive green proves to be a great neutral shade that complements many other colors. From simple black and tan to bright yellow and soft peach, this shade works well for many occasions.

For a deal: Target offers a variety of affordable skirts, including army green, starting at $17.

Plugged into cords

What to try: Corduroy is a fall staple. It’s used in and currently popping up in skirts, coats and boyfriend-style pants. We love the rich fall color and playful pleats of this cord mini in “Gold Digger,” $26.50 at Old Navy.

Keep in mind: If the “Gold Digger” yellow is a bit too bold, this style also comes in a deep, rich brown.

For a deal: If you’re looking for more chic and wallet-friendly options, Kohl’s and Target have stylish skirts for $20 and less.

Yipes, stripes!

What to try: Stripes have infiltrated all clothing styles. From simple scarves and cardigans to dresses, this bold pattern is here to stay. We like the wide stripes and thicker knit fabric of this skirt, $44 at Arden B.

Keep in mind: Pair this skirt with a blazer for a dressed up approach or with a denim jacket and T-shirt for laid-back glamour.

For a deal: Striped maxi skirts also are a fresh silhouette for the season. You can find a variety of options for about $9 at Forever 21.

Love the leather

What to try: Leather has made a comeback, and from ultra minis to form-fitting pencil skirts, this rich look provides an instant wardrobe update. Try this leather A-line skirt, about $89 at topshop.com.

Keep in mind: Although leather connotes a tough rocker look, the style is more sophisticated and clean this season. You can find polished leather items in most stores (not just biker-inspired boutiques), from Banana Republic and J.Crew to Nordstrom.

For a deal: You can find faux-leather options at several stores, including Forever 21, for about $20.

NY fashion forecasts easy, breezy spring ’11

NEW YORK (AP) The collective message to come out of eight days and more than 100 runway shows at New York Fashion Week is that there’ll be a longer, looser look to spring 2011. The buzz was about easy glamour inspired by the 1970s.

But is easy glamour easy to wear if you’re not a Lauren Hutton type?

Fashion insiders seem to think so. They say it’ll be a welcome break from the aggressive, tough-shoulder, skinny-pant style that has dominated fashion the past few seasons.

“What designers are trying to show is that people want to reach beyond where fashion has been in its hard, military protective gear,” said Joanna Coles, Marie Claire editor in chief. “Fashion is craving a more optimistic place. Fall seemed a little jaded, even if the clothes were magnificent. But we’re looking now for something lighter, fresher and younger.”

The silhouette has already started to be more fluid and languid, especially with trousers, says Colleen Sherin, women’s fashion director for Saks Fifth Avenue, but it’s confirmed moving forward into next year. Shoppers should find that the high waist and fit-and-flare legs are flattering, she said.

However, as a retailer and a woman the best news is the new longer, below-the-knee hemline, Sherin said. “One of the trends we’re most excited about is the ‘midi.’ It was in almost every collection.”

That mid-calf length complements the fluid and flowy dresses from the disco era. You don’t need to wear a floppy hat or oversized flower in your hair to see the shift in femininity.

A flat shoulder bag, however, might be a good place to start with accessories, Sherin notes.

The flat sandal caught the eye of InStyle editor Ariel Foxman. “There’s an idea that you can wear flats for evening, and that you can wear them with confidence,” he said. He’s hesitant to call anything from the New York catwalks a bona fide trend yet, however, because there is still so much to see in London, Paris and Milan, Italy, over the coming weeks.

Personally, though, he’s been “seduced” by all the neutral and sand colors and the flecks of gold. “They might not be the most exciting clothes on the runway, but it really allows one to see the details, and we’ve seen a lot of really gorgeous pieces.”

The lack of flashy embellishment likely meant extra work for designers. Mastering simplicity is quite a challenge.

“It’s all about the way you cut it, the texture. … You can’t hide behind ruching and ruffles. But I love simplicity when it’s right,” designer Michael Kors said backstage just before his “Sunshine State of Mind” collection debuted on the runway.

Saks’ Sherin noted that so many fashion shows opened with a white look, “a palette cleanser” to the new, more optimistic season. There were some joyful colors hot pink, orange, purple and green, among them, added Coles.

Coles said she’ll be excited to put the color-blocking in editorial shoots. For real women, however, they’ll need to become comfortable with the new palette. “People like color but people don’t always know what to do with it,” she said.

For those who like to be ahead of the trends, here’s a jump-start on the spring shopping list:

Featherweight, gauzy dress that’s delicately draped and hits mid-calf.

Trenchcoat dressy, practical, made of linen or sheer tulle. Maybe you need multiples.

High-waist trouser fitted through the thigh and flared out at the hem.

Sexy silk blouse, perhaps an off-the-shoulder peasant style.

Crafty embellishment, think macrame or something crocheted.

4 chic belts add flair

A detailed belt can give the simplest outfit instant style. From braided and crocodile-embossed to raffia and double wrap, belts are a must-have accessory this fall because they can update clothes already in your closet or add a smart look to a new outfit. Here are four fabulous belts that will transform a shapeless dress or a plain pencil skirt into a fashion-forward look.

Safari

One to try: This raffia-covered-buckle belt, $69 at Chico’s, has a safari motif that will enhance the look of a simple black dress or classic collared shirt.

Keep in mind: Avoid pairing a wild print with this ethnic-looking belt. You should contrast a patterned belt with a neutral, solid shade.

For a deal: If you’re searching for a wide belt in a bright color or fun print that is inexpensive, you’ll have the best luck at your nearest thrift store. Savers and Goodwill have huge selections of belts, with most costing no more than $2.

Thin is in

One to try: The latest belt trend is the super-skinny extra-long style that you can double wrap. We love this skinny metallic belt, $19.50 at Gap.

Keep in mind: These long, skinny belts are supposed to be worn around the small of your waist to cinch an oversized top. Look for one in a metallic shade that will pick up the hardware details on a handbag or shoes.

For a deal:Forever 21 is carrying loads of skinny belts for about $10.

Go wild

One to try: A classic croc-embossed belt with a gold buckle makes a chic statement. This slim croc belt, $49.50 at Banana Republic, is a versatile addition to many outfits. It can give a T-shirt and jeans a polished, a pulled-together look.

Keep in mind: Animal prints remain popular this fall, but for belts, chose subtler skins, such as snake and crocodile. Avoid wide belts in wild animal patterns.

For a deal: Target has a variety of belts ranging in price from about $9.99 to $19.99. You’ll definitely find a faux-skin belt there.

Boho braids

One to try: Braided belts will add a youthful, boho flair to your ensemble. Consider pairing this “Tori” skinny braided belt, $19.50 at delias.com, with a floral dress.

Keep in mind: Avoid buying braided belts in bright bold colors. This accessory looks best in natural brown leather to complement printed pieces.

For a deal: You can track down braided belts at H&M for about $9.95.

Nan Goldin shoots Erin Wasson for Scanlan & Theodore

“Our designs exist to reflect the integrity of a woman and resonate her unique individualism” says Gary Theodore, one half of the designer duo that makes up Australian (Melbourne) label Scanlan and Theodore, which led the pair to collaborate with model Erin Wasson and counter-culture photographer Nan Goldin f0r the breezy new spring/summer look book.

Goldin, best known for documenting the post-punk new wave music and transgender scene of the 70s and 80s, shot Wasson in a ramshackled mansion in New York State, and the distressed walls and shabby-chic furniture compliments the label’s grunge-glamorous evening wear.