For Fall 2006

4 MUST-HAVES

The Fall 2006 shows for New York fashion week brought out some interesting trends. As in music, the eighties look is back (although not, thankfully, with shoulder pads), along with pantsuits, plaid and velvet. Here are some fashion must-haves for this fall:

LEGGINGS AND OVERSIZED KNITS
Did we mention the eighties look? Slimfit trousers, as shown by designers such as Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs, are a sure sign that retro is back. The good news is that they were also used for layering, so that you can wear them under skirts or dresses as well.

Karl Lagerfeld, designer for Chanel, Fendi and the new Lagerfeld line, also showed cozy knits and long coats, as did designers like Michael Kors, and the overarching colour palette was in the white to neutral area. Which brings us to...

...SOMETHING NUDE
Apart from a splash of colour here and there, the colour of the season this year is neutral: think eggshell, white, beige and black. Fashion analysts have blamed the current state of world affairs, political uncertainty in Europe and a host of other grave things to explain why designers have suddenly gone off colour, but whatever the reason, the trend is unmistakeable.

Karl Lagerfeld was in a nude mood for his latest line, and even Dior has gone neutral. The one constant that has fallen in line with this trend is the little black dress, shown by nearly all the designers. Designers like Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta and Michael Kors decided to shake things up a little by adding tulle, giving their dresses a sheer, brushed-on look.

SUITS
I know, when was the last time you heard this word in terms of women's fashion, right? But the trend this season is feminine but not girly, and this is where suits come in. As a change from the spring, the new trend in the fall will be a step away from the girlish, playful colours and ruffles to a more sober, sophisticated look.

Ramps in Bryant Park saw more dresses, and more suits for women, whether they were the conventional pantsuit of Ralph Lauren, or a more jazzed up version that included shorts (another new look by itself for the fall).

A PAIR OF BLUE JEANS

As popularised by stars like Lindsay Lohan, ripped, rock'n'roll jeans are more in than ever. If you're going shopping, check out some popular brands like Evisu from Japan, Helmut Lang, Diesel or Energie, but if you want to go a little more expensive, and a little more niche, try 7 For all Mankind, or the Levi's vintage collection (check out www.vintage.levi.com) "" but be prepared to splurge.