My Favorite Fall 2008 Designers

I don't shell out $300 for a pair of jeans. Hell, I squirm at having to spend $10. A self-proclaimed thrifty fashionista, I shop with a vision: Victorian Goth meets 1960s bohemian beauty. No matter how gorgeous an item is, if it doesn't mesh with my style, I don't touch it. Unlike many other fashionistas, I don't hit all of the top-notch stores and worship stores intended solely for deep pockets. Prada and Gucci? Forget about them---not unless I spot one of their garments in a consignment shop for 90% off. Regardless of my frugality, I dream. I peruse fashion magazines and scan the Internet, from Style.com to random indie pages to bizarre Japanese sites. My philosophy is that a whopper of a price tag doesn't guarantee style. All it means is that you just maxed out your credit card. And debt is NEVER in season, ladies.

So stop worrying about being a cheapskate. Stop fretting over whether everyone else is wearing this or that. Is the price reasonable for your budget? Does the item flatter YOU? Are there other things in your closet you can wear with this piece? Those are the questions you should ask yourself. Don't obsess over a designer merely because everyone else is falling at his (or her) feet. Admire this person because s/he designs clothes you honestly like---and when it comes to dressing for fall, there's usually so much to not only like, but to full on adore.

Summer requires bothersome shaving or waxing, which isn't a must for other seasons unless you live in a tropical environment. Winter calls for multiple layers. Spring really varies from region to region. In some areas, it means three months of gorgeous, balmy weather. In others, it translates into a mucky mess of melting ice and snow. But fall? Almost everywhere, Fall is a romantic time, boasting stunning leaves and reasonable temperatures.

Here, with no apologies, are my favorite fashion designers based upon the Fall 2008 collections:

Alexander McQueen: The master of the fairytale look, I fall head over heels for the delightfully nostalgic pieces that McQueen produces. This season is absolutely no different in that sense from previous ones. Open up your storybooks!

Betsey Johnson: Quirky and fun, I can't help but smile at most of Johnson's creations. From polka-dots to tutus, Johnson brings out my girlish desire for frou-frou. Who am I to argue with my five-year-old wants?

Oscar de La Renta: Almost always a favorite, regardless of the year or the season. Few women will disagree. Nobody does consistently does feminine classics better. This is such a fashion truism that I'm tempted to brand it as a rule rather than a mere opinion.

Hermes delivers pure French elegance without the level of pretentiousness that certain other designers with the same brand name appeal thrive upon. Of course, Hermes has its snobby set of connotations: old money, regular vacations to Rome and Paris, but the clothes don't scream that. Instead, the clothes themselves are often beautifully streamlined. No super-trendy cuts, no mega-revolutionary anything. Just high-quality classics in luxurious---but not tacky---fabrics. As far as I'm concerned, black velvet is always "in."

Tracey Reese: Perfect clothes for any "artiste." Yet another season of bohemian glory, from must-have berets to sexy (but not TOO sexy) leopard print. Break out those paintbrushes!