Go, Alice, Go

Rochas, Michael Kors, Gucci, Fall 2010 - photos courtesy style.com

I remember seeing Ali MacGraw in the classic Love Story and wishing I had my own a) Ryan O'Neal and b) a perfect-for-falling-in-love camel coat.  Lucky for me, my mom kept all of her gorgeous toppers from the '60's and 70's, including a beautifully belted camel coat.  This fall, camel became the go-to colour for designers with runway after runway showcasing the classic colour in dresses, coats and pants.  Some of the coats I've found are certainly an investment but this is one piece that absolutely deserves your hard-earned pennies since, like most good love stories, your relationship will stand the test of time.  My mom's coat has held up for nearly 40 years and still looks amazing.  As for my better version of Ryan O'Neal?  I hope we last even longer.  Real Life Runway Tip:  Camel is a sensational shade because of its versatility and ability to instantly up your fashion ante.  You can pair your camel pieces with winter white, brown, black or red but my absolutely favourite pairing this season is camel with grey.  Or, if you want to be casually chic, I love adding a little denim into the mix as Hannah MacGibbon did at Chloé.

Now go, Alice, go, and get yourself some camel.  Here are some of my fave finds: 

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The Great Cover-Up

Jaeger London, Michael Kors, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Fall 2010 - photos courtesy style.com

Superheroes have one less thing to worry about this fall;  with the cape becoming the topper of choice for the fashionable set, going incognito just got a lot easier.  Trendy powerhouses like Alexander Wang and Julien Macdonald decided to forego sleeves in favour of a more billowy, voluminous silhouette on top, allowing it-girls everywhere to breeze through the streets like caped crusaders.  The modern cape is less flower child and more Wonder Woman:  bold, dramatic and utterly fearless.  Real Life Runway Tip:  Capes look best when paired with slim-fitting bottoms, be it pencil skirt or slim pants.  Finish off the look with a loose-fitting silky blouse or form-fitting turtleneck and of course, a pair of killer boots - all the better to kick butt with, my dears. 

Want to be shrouded in mystery this fall?  Check out these beauties:

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Drop It Like It's Hot

 Ralph Lauren, Charlotte Ronson, Michael Kors - Fall 2010, photos courtesy style.com

Hemlines have been riding high for years, with micro-minis consistently dominating the fashion scene.  It's great if you're 18 or if you're Cameron Diaz (if you read this blog frequently, you know I'm a little jealous of her legs..okay, a lot jealous), but for most of us mere mortals, mini skirts aren't always our best friends.  It seems that hemlines have finally dropped and rather than looking dowdy, the new incarnations are totally modern and undeniably sexy.  From Marc Jacobs to Michael Kors, designers went mad for long, lean skirts, pairing them with everything from chunky knits to form-fitting long-sleeved tees.  Whether calf-length, floor-grazing or somewhere in the middle, the maxi skirt is totally new and one of the best ways to look current this season.  Not every store has jumped on the bandwagon yet and this, my gorgeous insiders, is a very good thing.  After all, it's way more fun to lead the fashion pack.  Real Life Runway Tip:  Maxi skirts are especially flattering on tall girls.  If you're a little more vertically-challenged, opt for a monochromatic look for a long, lean silhouette.  When it comes to shoes, I love a long skirt with pointy-toed kitten heels for evening or flat-soled boots for day. 

I went to great lengths to find these best-bet maxi skirts for you:

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Point and Click

Prada, Stella McCartney, Isabel Marant, Marc Jacobs - Fall 2010, photos courtesy style.com

Every season, a certain shoe clicks its way down the runway and causes an audible hush in the fashion crowd.  "Could it be?" they wonder, "Could this really be the shoe?"  They've attended dozens of shows, jaded, bored and desperate for an epiphanous fashion moment when suddenly, unexpectedly, the pointy-toed shoe makes its decisive entrance, like cupid's arrow through the heart of even the most hardened accessory editrix.  They all look hopefully towards the front row, Anna Wintour nods her head ever so slightly, and thus it is declared:  pointy is the toe of the season.  It's not like we haven't seen it before.  After all, there are only so many configurations of toes and heels that eventually, the old will become new again.  This fall, the pointy-toed shoe came back with a vengeance and following the lead of Isabel Marant's 50's-inspired looks, designer after designer followed suit.  Keep it lady-like and pretty with a pencil skirt, or for the most trendy look, pair your pointies with rolled-up cropped jeans.  Marant's poppy suede pump is of the waiting-list variety, but luckily, you can get the look for much less. 

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Black Tie Affair

Vera Wang Fall 2010, Zac Posen Pre-Fall 2010, photos courtesy style.com

No matter how old I get, I think I will always feel the same jittery anticipation for back-to-school.  It doesn't matter that I no longer attend an educational institution or that I really don't technically need anything new to successfully navigate the hallways of life; I still think a little back-to-school shopping is an essential part of getting to the head of the fashion class.  It's amazing how just a few new pieces can bring last fall's wardrobe right up-to-date and as any fashionista knows, it's all about how you mix the old with the new that counts.  If you saw my post last week, I've been inspired by Janell Monae, the tuxedo-rocking popstar who is absolutely fearless when it comes to fashion.  Though I would never wear a full tuxedo,  I love the idea of pairing tailored tuxedo pants with a white, flowy top as an alternative to the LBD.  Gap's new Black Magic line has some stellar tuxedo pants that elevate a simple pair of pants to a serious style statement.  Their relaxed tuxedo khakis look insane when teamed up with a velvet blazer and pretty white tank.  Over the next several months, RLR is going to school you (that's right, school you) on everything fall/winter 2010.  Consider this your first lesson, my starry-eyed pupils.  Oh, and in case you missed my facebook post today and you live in Toronto, Gap's Black Magic Event is happening tomorrow at their Bloor St. location with 25% off purchases and free black pants to the first 50 people in line.  Also, be sure to check out RLR on facebook next week to enter our first ever contest for a $50 gift card, courtesy of Old Navy!