Embellished & Detailed Leggings

Leggings are still as popular as ever, but they are getting a slight makeover. Plain leggings are still great for casual wear with a shirt dress or tunic, but embellishments and details take leggings to the next level for night.

Grey Antics Shirred Legging, $78 from Urban Outfitters

Wear "fancy" leggings with skirts, dresses or tunics and pair them with heels, platform sandals, or boots. Details like ruching and embellishments like zippers make leggings more appropriate for night wear- same goes for jeggings. These special extras make leggings more pants-like, so don't have sticker shock when shopping.

Grey Antics Side Winder Leggings, $77 from Revolve Clothing

Leggings are so comfortable and easy to wear, dressing up for a night out doesn't mean stuffing yourself into a tiny dress and towering heels. Leggings, a belted silk tunic, knee high boots and a cropped leather jacket is perfect for fall/winter.

Guess Backstage Leggings, $79 from Bloomingdale's

Don't be afraid to rock leggings- people of all ages can wear them, just be careful what you buy. Styles with a lot of studs, colorful zippers and floral patterns are for the younger crowd. Pick leggings that have that extra special detail, but aren't over the top. You can always ease your way into legging wearing by wearing simple ones with a shirt dress, belt, and flat boots to run errands.

David Lerner Shiny Leggings, $78 from CUSP

Give embellished and detailed leggings a try this fall/winter. You'll love them!

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Photos from ShopStyle

A Penny for Your Loafers

Oxford-style shoes are in this season (see my post on them here), but so are penny loafers. You know, those preppy shoes that you probably wore in elementary school and maybe even put a penny in the slot in front.

Prada Loafer, $316 from Blue Fly

Well, they're back and you can forget about the dorky shoes of yore- there are some chic options for your preppy feet.

YSL Penny Loafer, $369.99 from Blue Fly

Wear your loafers to work with trousers or casually with jeans. Your feet are sure to welcome these comfortable shoes this fall. They are easy to wear and make any casual outfit more interesting than slipping on the standard ballet flat. Skinny, straight, slouchy, cropped or any other jean work well with this shoe style.

Marc Joseph Union Loafer, $125 from The Shoe Box

If you dare, wear loafers with knee high or ankle socks and a knee length skirt. Top off the look with a boyfriend blazer and you're ready to go!

Bass Bookfield Loafer, $69 from Zappos

Not only are loafers great for work or play, but they are also the perfect travel shoe. You can walk quickly through airports, take them off easily for security, slip them on and off on the plane and be ready for whatever activity comes your way at your destination- even if that includes walking several blocks to the subway with your suitcase!

Bertie Suzi Loafer, $143.23 from Asos

Even after all of this, you are still wary of the loafer, you can try a heeled loafer for a preppy, yet sophisticated look. Wear these with standard work wear, including dresses and skirts.

Dune Tickle Loafer, $126.38 from Asos

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Photos from ShopStyle, Blue Fly

My Favorite Lines Series: Gold Hawk

In 2003 Michele Dahan, a native of Montreal, started the clothing company Gold Hawk. So, where does the name come from? A beautiful black horse named Gold Hawk that Michele loved.

Gold Hawk Pant, $165 from Couture Candy

Michele combines romantic details and Old Hollywood inspiration with modern styling to create signature pieces for Gold Hawk. Michele, an avid traveler, also uses the places she has visited to inspire her designs.

Gold Hawk Glam Top, $165 from Couture Candy

Michele loves texture and the movement of fabrics; she often uses silk, cashmere and lace. Gold Hawk is feminine without being overtly sexy, so the pieces are suitable for work, dates, dinner, or night.

Gold Hawk Drape Sleeve Dress, $216 from Couture Candy

Once you slip on a piece of Gold Hawk clothing, you will feel confident, elegant and classy. Know that when you wear Gold Hawk, you are wearing clothing that not everyone else will be sporting.

Gold Hawk Rajasthan Vest, $250 from StyleBop

Shop for Gold Hawk at Bloomingdale's, Couture Candy, YOOX and Far Fetch.

Gold Hawk Dress, $365 from YOOX

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Photos from ShopStyle

The Cape

Dracula wore a cape, and now so are some of the most fashionable women. The modern cape is more Marry Poppins than vampire though.

Autumn Cashmere Cape, $436 from Bergdorf Goodman

Capes can be worn as a jacket as a component of an outfit, a light jacket that you remove or as outerwear.

APC Cape Jacket, $420 from Barney's

The cape has its origins in medieval Europe and became a fashion statement in the 1700's there. The first capes were sleeveless and fastened around the neck, often worn by church officials with intricate embroidery. In the Victorian era, capes again became fashionable, and were made of luxe materials.

Ribbed Cape, $109.53 from Asos

The cloak, mantle, shawl and stole are close cousins to the cape.

Lowie Cape, $320.15 from Asos

In modern times, many capes have loose sleeves, similar to a poncho, and fasten in the front with a minimal number of buttons or a tie. A cape can be worn as an alternative to a trench; it has the same feel, but is more fashion forward right now.

Aubin & Willis Callon, $162 from The OutNet

When shopping for a cape, trying on the garment is key, so check the return policy for online purchases. Trying on capes is so important because the proportions really matter with this piece. You do not want to look too large, or boxy and the sleeves and length need to be the perfect length.

Ilana Wolf Sequin Trim Cape, $223 from Saks Fifth Ave.

Wear your cape to work with trousers, skirts or dresses and heels. Try your cape after work hours with skinny jeans or jeggings and boots for a great fall/winter look.

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Photos from ShopSyle

Puffer Coat for Men

The puffer jacket is one of my favorites to keep warm during the winter. Puffer jackets are waterproof, comfortable, versatile and most importantly warm. My white puffer jacket is a go-to item whether I'm taking my dog out, going out with friends or running to the grocery store.

Down Puffer Jacket, $98 from Gap

This fall/winter, the puffer jacket is popular for men as well as women. Men will really like this style of jacket because it is so versatile. They can wear it to work over sweaters and trousers, to happy hour with denim and even on a beer run with distressed jeans.

Mackage Chase Jacket, $436 from Blue Fly

There are a variety of puffer jackets that include hoodies, fur trim, shiny material, and colors other than the standby brown and black.

Alpine Jacket, $135 from JCrew

Help your guy pick out the perfect puffer jacket this fall/winter and he'll be super stylish throughout the season!

Theory Cardinal Jacket, $357 from Blue Fly

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Photos from ShopStyle

Bootie, Bootie, Bootie Rockin' Everywhere!

Not the song- the shoe! Booties are mini-boots that are versatile, easy to wear and fun. Wear your booties with trousers, skinny jeans or pants, cropped jeans or pants, dresses, skirts, leggings, jeggings, tights...anything! The great thing about booties, versus boots, is that you can wear them in the fall, winter and spring. Booties are a must for people that live in a climate with mild winters.

Guess by Marciano Arnelle Bootie, $135.86 from Endless

MIA Motif Bootie, $54.95 from DSW

You definitely need a pair of brown and black booties. Ankle booties are pairs that are a bit higher are both great choices; go with the one you like the most. Once you get the basics covered, start looking for colored booties, like purple, blue, gray and more.

Via Spiga Suri Bootie, $119.95 from DSW

Poetic Licence Encoure Bootie, $139.95 from Nordstrom

Simple booties are extremely versatile, but there are pairs available with embellishments and details that will take you to the next level. You can find zippers, chains, buttons, spikes, mesh and anything else that makes a shoe extreme. Booties also come in peep toe and wedge styles, which can be a new, fun option.

Mitzy Akemi Bootie, $39.95 from Endless

Seychelles Mamie Bootie, $80.51 from Endless

Wear you simple booties to work, happy hour, hanging out with friends, sporting events and casual places. You can really go all out with cutouts, laces, flowers and leopard print at night.

Zigo Soho Miranda Bootie, $79.95 from DSW

Pink Studio Daily Bootie, $73.37 from Endless

Challenge yourself to wear booties with an outfit you normally wouldn't pair them with- I bet you'll be surprised by how chic you look.

Audrey Brooke Giselle Bootie, $69.95 from DSW

Max Studio Ikram Bootie, $99.28 from Endless

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Photos from ShopStyle

Lanvin for H&M

H&M, like Target, collaborates with high fashion designers on limited edition capsule collections. However, the H&M collections are edgier, less available (no online sales) and more coveted.

Past H&M designer capsule collections have included Roberto Cavalli, Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf, Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Sonia Rykiel, Commes de Garçons, Jimmy Choo and pop stars Madonna and Kylie Minogue. Alber Elbaz of Lanvin is in good company, and the excitement for his collection is growing.

Lanvin for H&M

H&M built suspense before announcing their collaboration with Lanvin with blurry videos that kept people guessing the mystery designer. Once Lanvin was announced as the guest designer, people began guessing what the collection would look like.

Lanvin: Pre-Fall 2009 (left two), Fall 2008, Spring 2009

Well, H&M has released several promotional photos to keep fashioninstas happy until the November 23 (Tuesday) launch date of the collection. As you can see, Elber Albaz stayed true to Lanvin and used previous Lanvin collections as inspiration for the H&M capsule collection.

Mark your calendars for November 23 and get to the mall early to ensure you snag one of Lanvin's pieces- you don't want to be left out, as many people were with the Cavalli and McCartney collections.

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Photos from TheCut

My Favorite Lines Series: Zac Posen

Zac Posen is a favorite of celebrities and fashionable women everywhere. His feminine designs have a large following because they are flattering, modern and unique. Celebrity fans include Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz, Rhianna, Heidi Klum and many more. At only 29, Zac has achieved success that many only dream of.

Zac Posen Wool Dress, $599 from Gilt

Zac grew up in NYC's SoHo neighborhood with an artist father and lawyer mother. He was always interested in fashion and at 15 years old, as a sophomore in high school, Zac landed an internship with Nicole Miller. The prestigious internship prompted Zac to enroll in Parson's New School of Design's pre-college program. During this time, Zac worked under, and found a mentor in Richard Martin, who is the curator of The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Zac Posen Petal Coat, $699 from Gilt

Once Zac graduated high school, he moved to London to study at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design at the University of Arts London. Central Stain Martins is considered on of the top design schools in the world and attending is very prestigious.

Zac Posen Crepe Dress, $399 from Gilt

While studying in London, Zac created a dress that was acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum- quite a feat for a student and at only 21 years old. He also made a dress for Noami Campbell that was seen by fashion VIP's: Lola and Stella Schnabel, Paz de la Huerta, Ingrid Sischy and Ed Filipowski.

Zac Posen Fringed Dress, $399 from Gilt

Upon completing his studies in London, Zac returned to New York and to his parents' home in 2001. He worked in their living room, while receiving a meager allowance of $15 each week. That same year, Zac showed a capsule collection at GenArt's Fresh Faces show, where he won $20,000 and garnered attention from fashion higher ups, including the President of LVMH, the CEO and Director of Christian Dior SA, and CEO and President of Gucci Group NV.

Zac Posen Pleated Dress, $699 from Gilt

With his winnings, Zac established a workroom in Tribeca. Several years later, in 2004, the CFDA awarded Zac with the Swarovski's Perry Ellis Award for Womenswear. Previous winners include Philip Lim, Alexander Wang, Mulleavy Sisters for Rodarte, Derek Lam, Narciso Rodriguez, Marc Jacobs and more.

Zac Posen Moire Top, $229 from Gilt

Zac's collaboration with Target was one of the most anticipated and sold out quickly. Z Spoke, Zac's collection for Saks Fifth Avenue, is popular as well. Shop for Zac Posen at Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter, The OutNet, Shop Bop and Gilt.

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Photos from Gilt

Get Wild!

Leopard, tiger, zebra, oh my! Animal prints are in this fall, so get a little crazy and go wild!

Leopard Print Scarf, $29.50 from Gap

Jardin Tiger Ring, $55.99 from Blue Fly

Animal prints can be overwhelming, cheesy and even tacky. The key to wearing animal print is picking the right print and color of the print. You also need to consider the style, cut and tailoring of the garment to ensure your animal print look is chic.

Dents Suede Animal Trim Gloves, $42.13 from Asos

Chocolate Aileen Dome Tote, $99 from Endless

Abstract animal prints are chic because they are less obvious that the literal translation. Of course, there are great prints that stay true to nature. The prints that begin to look cheap try to replicate nature, but are either too large or too small. If you aren't sure about the print, skip it.

BCBG Leopard Blouse, $107.99 from Blue Fly

Flutter Sleeve Zebra Top, $39 from Arden B

Natural coloring of the animal is always a good choice when looking for a print piece. There are also lovely prints in other neutrals and colors. Bright colors can be tricky though- pink and red can be risky! If you want to go with a colorful print, make sure the actual print looks luxe.

Arrogant Cat Leopard Dress, $80388 from Asos

Zebra Jacquard Jacket, $129 from Calvin Klein

You can use animal print as a neutral with pieces in other colors. For example, a green dress paired with leopard heels works wonderfully.

Animal Print Watch, $55 from Anne Klein

Snake & Pearl Ring, $28 from TopShop

Animal print can be casual, work appropriate or for nighttime. In order to keep animal print work place ok, wear it minimally. Add the print to your look in the form of a belt, watch, scarf, bag or shoes. Or, if you opt for an animal print top or dress for work, keep the print very subtle.

Carlos by Carlos Santana Queen's Platform, $89 from Endless

Casadei Snake Bootie, $225 from Footcandy

Don't be scared- go wild!

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Photos from ShopStyle