Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Trend: Peplum Skirts

This is admittedly probably one of the more unusual trends this fall/winter.  If you don't know what a peplum skirt is, it is a skirt that has a little mini skirt over top of a longer skirt.  Peplum skirts were popular on the AW2011 runways (Above: Stella McCartney; Giambatista Valli; Marc Jacobs; Elie Saab) and have slowly been making their way into stores.  Peplum skirts are particularly suited for tall thin women because the little mini skirt over top adds volume on the bottom.  Of course, this also means that the skirt can make you appear hippier than you really are so consider yourself warned!  If you are blessed to be one of those tall thin women that we all envy and you want to give this trend a try, below are some options to consider: Alice + Olivia "Natasha" peplum pencil skirt for $198 on www.saks.com; Alice + Olivia "Vicky" peplum dress for $296 on www.bloomingdales.com; Aqua "Kingon" peplum skirt for $153.68 on www.asos.com; BCBGMAXAZRIA "Huxley" peplum dress on sale for $114 on www.lordandtaylor.com; Ribbed peplum bodycon skirt for $56 on www.topshop.com; MM Couture lace peplum dress for $92 on www.macys.com; Jessica Simpson peplum dress on sale for $118.40 on www.macys.com; Max & Cleo "Bethany" peplum dress for $128 on www.bloomingdales.com; Nue by Shanti peplum dress on sale for $144 on www.dillards.com; XOXO peplum dress for $39.98 on www.macys.com.

Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Trend: Choker Necklaces

The hottest piece of jewelry to wear this fall and winter is undoubtedly the choker necklace, which appeared all over the AW2011 runways (Above: Yves Saint Laurent; Michael Kors; Max Azria; Alice + Olivia).  As you likely know by now, I am all about the statement necklace so I am really liking this trend.  While gold and silver metal chokers appear to be the most "on-trend" version, there are all kinds of different types of chokers out there made of cloth or leather with or without beading.   If you are liking this trend as much as I am, below are some options for you to consider purchasing:  ABS mixed metals braided choker for $85 on www.maxandchloe.com; Fallon "Dystopia" choker for $75 on www.barneys.com; Reiss "Hutton" choker for $115 on www.reissonline.com; Kenneth Jay Lane choker for $95 on www.shopbop.com; Forever 21 spiked choker for $8.80 on www.forever21.com; Reiss "Ronnie" choker for $130 on www.reissonline.com; "Lazenson" choker for $15 on www.aldosshoes.com; Morgan "Ashleigh" choker for $173 on www.endless.com; Pave choker for $58 on www.anntaylor.com; nOir seed bead tribal choker for $99 on www.endless.com; "Pia" bibb choker for $59 on www.chicos.com.

Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Trend: Bright Pants

Whether you prefer a boot-cut, skinny, or straight-legged pant, as long as your pants are a bright hue this fall you will be on trend!  Pants and denim in all different sorts of bright colors appeared frequently on the AW2011 runways (Above: Rachel Roy; Prabal Gurung; 3.1 Philip Lim; Matthew Williamson).  The key to making this trend work for you is to pick a pant in a cut that is flattering to your body and to pair it with a neutral on top so you don't look like a rainbow walking down the street.  However, if you are more daring, it is okay to pair two bright colors together (see Prabal Gurung above) and, in fact, certain bright color combinations are very current -- i.e., pink and red.  If you are interested in picking up a pair of bright pants or denim, check out the options below:  ASOS high-waisted peg pant for $64.03 on www.asos.com; 1969 mid-weight legging jean for $69.95 on www.gap.com; CJ by Cooki Johnson "Faith" straight-leg stretch jean for $167 on www.nordstrom.com; Fire skinny stretch denim jean for $42 on www.nordstrom.com; Blue Essence stretch twill pants for $88 on www.nordstrom.com; Forever 21 colored skinny jeans for $22.80 on www.forever21.com; Unionbay "Lucille" skinny jeans for $48 on www.nordstrom.com; Whistles "Tiffany" tailored cropped pants for $173.80 on www.asos.com; KUT from the Kloth colored denim flare-leg jeans for $79.50 on www.nordstrom.com; "Blue me Away" jeggings for $35 on www.lulus.com; J Brand mid-rise flare-leg stretch jeans for $167 on www.nordstrom.com; ASOS crop skinny pant for $73.18 on www.asos.com.

Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Trend: Capes and Ponchos

It looks like this trend will be sticking around for another fall/winter season!  Whether you love or hate this trend, capes and ponchos were even more prevalent on the AW2011 runways this year than last year (Above: Zac Posen; Rachel Roy; Rebecca Minkoff; Michael Kors).  And they are appearing in even more styles, lengths, colors, and patterns.  I haven't purchased a cape or poncho myself, but I'm not ruling it out completely.  It all comes down to finding the right one!  If you want to give this trend a try during the upcoming cooler months, below are some options to consider:  Aryn K tie-front cape for $98 on www.nordstrom.com; ASOS bright intarsia pattern cape for $45.74 on www.asos.com; Express belted cape for $148 on www.express.com; Hinge stripe oversized poncho for $88 on www.nordstrom.com; Tahari "Belle" capelet for $148 on www.nordstrom.com; Tinley Road buckle-front cape for $89 on www.piperlime.com; Kookai hooded cape for $345.78 on www.asos.com; BB Dakota "Calhoun" cape for $130 on www.piperlime.com; MinkPink "Bolivia" poncho for $108 on www.nastygal.com; Caslon merino wool toggle cape for $149 on www.nordstrom.com; Tinley Road "Fielder" cape coat for $89 on www.piperlime.com; Caslon marled poncho for $89 on www.nordstrom.com.