New York's Fall Fashion Week

Twice a year the fashion world gathers in New York for Fashion Week, when big name designers parade their designs down catwalks. Whether it's a salon or a show, each event is open only to ticketed people with connections to fashion (although managing to crash a show by a favorite name, like Jean Paul Gaultier, is quite a coup among fashion fans). From February 11 to 18, 2010, designers gathered in Damrosch Park and Lincoln Center to display their fall designs.

Most people are never going to see the outfits worn by the skeletal runway models, much less buy them. Those are haute couture, and only Oscar and Grammy nominees are likely to actually wear them - and then they're probably borrowed, to be returned after the red carpet event. But they do give fashion outsiders an idea of what to expect in stores in the upcoming season.

It looks like Fall 2010 will see a continuation of the boyfriend look on women. From office-worthy blazers like this Jennel jacket in gray melange from Elie Tahari, a boyfriend cut with touches of femininity in the single button closure and the rolled cuffs, to weekend casual boyfriend jeans like the Ex-Lover from Joe's Jeans, boyfriend clothes will be out in force.

Although we're warned that the beige dress will be back in fall, it'll be dressed up with colorful accessories. Purple is still the new black, so look now for pieces that you can use from spring through fall. A good bag, like the cute little Polly from Dakine, will never be out of place. Another great place for purple is your feet. These Julia Driver flats from Elie Tahari in pale lilac patent leather, with an adorable petal design at the toe, are comfortable, stylish, and the right color. If you prefer suede, try the Ginny from Fitzwell shoes. The cushioned footbed will keep your feet happy, and the knotted design over the toe add a little kick of style.

Since we can wait for fall before breaking out the beige dresses, celebrate spring with a purple dress like this scoop neck dress from Three Dots in African Violet. The length is above the knee, so you can wear it as a flirty dress in warm weather, or a long tunic over leggings on cool spring nights. The new rule is that leggings shouldn't match, so if your shoes are black, wear charcoal tights - and don't match them to the top, either!

For more fall fashion advice, pick up a post-Fashion Week copy of Women's Wear Daily magazine, and take a look at what's ahead. Remember that you don't need a whole new wardrobe; choose a few new pieces that will work with what you already have, and you'll always be in style!

(Sources: http://www.chiff.com/fashion/new-york-fashion-week.htm,http://www.slate.com/id/2113109)