Fall/Winter 2009 Fashion Trend: Military Inspiration

This fall prepare to bring out your inner rambo ladies! Military inspired clothes and accessories were abundant on the fall 2009 fashion runways. Above: Vivenne Westwood, Tommy Hilfiger, Rag & Bone, Chloe. Think neutral colors, brass buttons, and uniform-inspired details. Below are some retail options you may want to consider if playing soldier is in your fashion future this fall: Da-Nang button-up dress for $172 available on www.couturecandy.com; Forever 21 camo cadet hat for $8.80; Castle peak jacket for $62 available on www.lulus.com; Cavalry dress in cobalt blue or black for $38 available on www.lulus.com; Charlotte Ronson army twill jacket for $290 available on www.shopbop.com; Express military jacket in black or grey for $79.50; Free People charmed officers jacket for $128 available on www.shopbop.com; Element "Institute" sweater for $62 available on www.lulus.com; Raspail ID bracelet for $145 available on www.shopbop.com; My Pant's dublin cargo pants for $168 available on www.shopbop.com; Rebecca Minkoff niki hobo in olive currently on sale for $416.50 down from $595 on www.shopbop.com; Arden B ribbed trim faux leather bomber jacket for $58; See by Chloe faux fur cap for $95 available on www.shopbop.com.

TODAY/TOMORROW ONLY: 20% Off Regular-Priced Items at Funkylala

From 3:00 p.m. ET today until 3:00 p.m. ET tomorrow, take 20% off regular-priced items on www.funkylala.com. Enter code "20FOR24" at checkout.

Extra 25% Off Clearance Boots at Aldo

Now is the time to stock up on boots for this winter! Take an extra 25% off all clearance boots on www.aldo.com. Enter code "BOOTS25F09" at checkout. There is a large selection of boots on clearance right now, including those pictured above: "Bah" boot in dark brown or black for $74.99 down from $200; "Frihaga" boot in black, dark brown, or taupe for $82.49 down from $150; "Meers" boot in beige or black suede for $33.74 down from $90. Click here to access the sale: http://www.aldoshoes.com/us/clearance/womensboots.

TODAY: Saks Frederick Fekkai Shampoo Swap Event

TODAY, Thursday, September 17, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., exchange any full sized shampoo you currently use for one full sized 8 ounce complimentary Fekkai Advanced Shampoo of your choice at Saks Fifth Avenue. Limited to one bottle per customer. While supplies last.

Lauren Conrad for Kohl's

Lauren Conrad has teamed up with Kohl's to create an affordable casual California-inspired clothing line for young women. Prices in the LC Lauren Conrad clothing line will range from $20 to $60. The line is expected to be released next month in October and is also expected to include shoes and accessories. Above are some promo shots for the line. I noticed today, however, that certain pieces from the line are available for purchase online right now on www.kohls.com including the items pictured below: Striped boyfriend cardigan for $44; Watercolor ruffle dress for $60 (pictured on Lauren above middle); Boyfriend blazer for $60; Brushstroke sheath dress for $50. What do you think of the line? I'm really loving the watercolor ruffle dress myself!

50% Off "Boutique" Brands on Makeup.com

From today until September 22nd, get 50% off (almost) all "boutique" brands, including Juice Beauty, Dermalogica, B Kamins Chemist, Paula Dorf, CARGO, and Too Faced, on www.makeup.com. Enter code "BIGSALE50" at checkout. There are some great deals!

TODAY ONLY: Select Styles of Report Signature Shoes $49.95 on 6pm.com

TODAY ONLY select styles of Report Signature shoes, including those pictured above, are only $49.95 on www.6pm.com. Click here to access the sale: http://www.6pm.com/rprtsig0909.

TODAY: Saks Want It! Fashion Show

TODAY, Wednesday, September 16, 2009, Saks Fifth Avenue, along with BalletMet Columbus and Mastercard, is having a fashion presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the upper level of Saks Fifth Avenue at Polaris mall. Tickets are $45 per person. Enjoy cocktails while watching a fashion show of holiday party wear. Reservations are required. For more information and to make your reservation, call (614) 586-8671. All tickets benefit BalletMet Columbus.

Fashion Do: Oxfords

As part of what appears to be an emerging menswear trend, celebrities have recently been wearing oxford shoes with skirts, shorts, and pants alike. Above: Olivia Palermo, Rhianna, Sienna Miller, Whitney Port. I think Olivia and Sienna definitely rock their oxfords by pairing them with a more feminine ensemble. Rhianna's outfit also isn't bad, but poor Whitney looks a hot mess and is a definite example of how not to wear the oxford this fall! As demonstrated above, oxfords need not be in the traditional black and white as on Whitney above, but are now available in metallics and colors. For those of you who know me, you may be surprised that I consider these shoes a fashion "do," but I really do like the boxiness of the oxford when paired with a feminine outfit. It is the contrast that I like just like a moto jacket over a flowy dress. But as Whitney demonstrates above, these shoes can quickly become a fashion "don't" when worn with the wrong outfit. While I probably won't run out to the stores and buy a pair of oxfords, I do already own a very square-toed menswearish pair of black patent loafers that I may have to break out again here in the near future! If you want to try out this trend, check out these options below: Candela NYC spectator oxford for $198 available at Urban Outfitters; Steve Madden "Melin" oxford for $99.95; Jeffrey Campbell "Uniform" oxford for $109.95 available at Nordstrom; Kimichi Blue heeled oxford for $58 available at Urban Outfitters.

Fall/Winter 2009 Fashion Trend: Sequins

On dresses, skirts, blouses, or accessories, as an embellishment or all over, sequins are a must for fall! And sequins are not just meant for evening wear. Many designers included sequins in their daytime ensembles. Above: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Balmain, Matthew Williamson, Michael Kors. Many designers also combined certain of the fall trends I've previewed previously, combining sequins and strong shoulders on the Balmain dress above and by pairing the sequined Michael Kors skirt above with a one-shouldered top. I am a huge fan of sequins myself and have already acquired a pair of sequined pumps, a sequined mini skirt, and a sequined off the shoulder blouse for the fall. Should you wish to try out this trend, below are some options for you to choose from: "Back in Brooklyn" top for $38 available on www.lulus.com; Boutique 9 sequin pumps on sale for $93.01 down from $134 on www.zappos.com; "Cameo appearance" sequin top in grey or black for $48 available at Nordstrom; Bebe cross back sequin dress for $119; Bebe drip sequin tank in deep purple, black, pearl, or hot pink for $59; Christin Michael "Lauren" sequin pumps on sale for $113 down from $199 on www.zappos.com; Free People sequin slip tank for $68 available at Nordstrom; "Sequin Affair" crop jacket for $70 available at www.lulus.com; Free People sequin mesh slip dress for $68 available at Macy's; Felix Ray sequined clutch on sale for $45 down from $63 on www.revolveclothing.com; Gibson sequined shoulder top in grey or deep cranberry for $58 available at Nordstrom; Arden B ombre print sequin tank for $28; Free People sequined mini skirt for $98 available at Nordstrom; Forever 21 "Modelliste" sequined tee for $19.80; Re Collection sequined top for $125 available on www.revolveclothing.com; DV by Dolce Vita "Fire" pump for $89.95 available at Nordstrom; sequin cowlneck top in black or lilac for $68.50 available on www.victoriassecret.com; Vince sequined mini dress for $225 available at Nordstrom; Bebe sequined blazer for $159.