Fall's Essential Fashions Boiled Down to 500 Words and 16 eBay Picks

By Bee-Shyuan Chang
August 24, 2011

Fall 2011 Must Haves Ah, it's our favorite time of year—well, for fashion at least. With the August heat waning and the cool October breezes to look forward to, fall is the season to overhaul a wardrobe or stock your closet with the best kinds of, er, new fashion necessities.

With transitional weather comes hunting for that right multi-tasking piece. Take a cue from Altuzarra (a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist this year) and Alexander Wang. Both fashion designers showcased ponchos on their runways in various incarnations. Sporty types can try the reinvigorated shape in parka styles, while classicists can hew to knit versions in charcoal, camel and a sensuous blush pink.

left: Luxe ponchos like this one by Alexander Wang are a big fashion trend for fall 2011. (photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images)

On the topic of textiles, butter-soft leather never goes out of style. But rather than the heavily studded, '80s-inspired versions of the past few seasons, leather is taking a cleaned-up, feminine turn. Phillip Lim toyed with contrasting long leather sleeves on an otherwise simple tee. Derek Lam showcased a classic men's car coat, tailored down to womanly proportions and in a rich, deep red. Even Junya Watanabe's tweaked leather biker jackets had a ladylike feel with a nipped-in waist and softened shoulders.

Fall 2011 Must Haves

Sleek leather is another major fashion trend, as seen at Derek Lam (photo by JP Yim/WireImage) and Junya Watanabe (photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images) and 3.1 Philip Lim (photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images)

Likewise, a lady is best off with a structured bag, carried by the handles, and a proper coat, preferably in a bold color. And who knew former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham would be the one leading the prim and proper pack? At her runway show, a beautiful A-line coat paired with a neat Boston bag stood out. Both were in an eye-popping cerise. Bottega Veneta was feeling the '60s, too. The models could have doubled as extras on the "Mad Men" set, with Liu Wen donning a monochromatic look that included a nubby muted gold coat over a matching shift dress and model Arizona Muse wearing a prim tangerine cropped jacket over a swishy orange dress.

This being the modern era, not every one wants to play ladylike. Many fashion designers were in a menswear mood, but rather than taking boy's clothes too literally, they punched up pantsuits in head-to-toe solids (see Celine's "Smurf" blue). Speaking of wearing the pants, trousers, some loosely cut and cropped just above the ankle and others running long and tight, were spotted all-around. Raf Simons of Jil Sander paired his classic black trousers with sporty sweaters in bright hues.

Fall 2011 Must Haves

Fashion trends including bright shades, '60s shapes and menswear-inspired pantsuits showed up at Bottega Veneta (photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images), Celine (photo by Nathalie Lagneau/Catwalking/Getty Images) and Victoria Beckham (Photo by Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images)

More on color: buzzy fashion designer Haider Ackermann also showcased his knack for the palette. He was in a jewel-toned mindset and his runway was replete with sapphire, amethyst and emerald. Fellow Belgium-based designer Dries Van Noten dabbled in prints, but his take felt new when spliced together in a pleasing smorgasbord. London-based brand Peter Pilotto used a similar approach though the silhouette veered longer. with dresses and skirts hitting the ankles. And Mary Katrantzou continued to wow editors with her innovative patterns. Her florals practically transformed her models into walking pieces of art.

Fall 2011 Must Haves

Dries Van Noten (photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images), Mary Katrantzou (Photo by CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) and Peter Pilotto (photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images) showed an interesting smorgasbord of mixed prints.

Roll over items for details

D&G Poncho

(buy it now price, $533.33)

Fur Poncho

(buy it now price, $499)

Lamskin Leather Shirt

(buy it now price, $95)

Badgley Mischka Emerald Silk Dress

Erdem Bird and Floral Print Dress

(buy it now price, $498)

Thakoon Purple Silk Layered Slip Dress

(buy it now price, $269.99)

Dries Van Noten Silk Dress

(buy it now price, $799.99)

Vintage '60s Red Ribbed Cot

(buy it now price, $99.99)

Celine Turquoise Blue Cape Coat

(buy it now price, $917.78)

Vintage '60s Wool Crepe Dress and Jacket

(buy it now price, $55.95)

Christian Dior Skirt Suit

(buy it now price, $1,005)

Diane von Furstenberg Cropped Leather Jacket

(buy it now price, $299.99)

Mary Katrantzou Silk Lemon Tree Print Skirt

(buy it now price $359.99)

Escada Orange Wool-Cashmere Blend Blazer

Fall's Essential Fashions Boiled Down to 500 Words and 16 eBay Picks

1. D&G Poncho: Fashion trendsetters can play up ponchos this season. (eBay search keyword: poncho)

2. Fur Poncho: Fur trim adds a luxe touch. (eBay search keyword: fur poncho)

3. Lambskin Leather Shirt: Leather cleans up in simple silhouettes and feminine finishes. Try a sleek (and unexpected) shirt paired with pants in a different fabrication. (eBay search keywords: leather shirt)

4. Badgley Mischka Emerald Silk Dress: We've taken a shine to fall's jewel tones, particular in shimmering silk. (eBay search keywords: emerald silk)

5. Erdem Bird and Floral Print Dress: Up-and-coming designers like Christopher Kane and Erdem are into pattern-play, too. (eBay search keywords: Erdem)

6. Thakoon Purple Silk Layered Slip Dress: The cut of this dress makes it a real designer piece. (eBay search keywords: Thakoon purple silk)

7. Dries Van Noten Silk Dress: Pattern-blocking is the new color-blocking. Just ask talented Belgian designer Dries van Noten. (eBay search keywords: Dries Van Noten)

8. Vintage '60s Red Ribbed Cot: Invest in outerwear that adds a dash of '60s polish. (eBay search keywords: '60s coat)

9. Celine Turquoise Blue Cape Coat: A colorful cape coat combines three big trends: '60s, jewel tones and poncho styles. (eBay search keywords: blue cape coat)

10. Vintage '60s Wool Crepe Dress and Jacket: A matching '60s two-piece ensemble looks befit for Betty Draper. (eBay search keywords: '60s jacket)

11. Christian Dior Skirt Suit: Why join the all-boys club when you can start your own league? A sense of color required. (eBay search keywords: skirt suit)

12. Diane von Furstenberg Cropped Leather Jacket: A black leather jacket is a stylish alternative to a blazer. (eBay search keywords: cropped leather jacket)

13. Mary Katrantzou Silk Lemon Tree Print Skirt: Add an insider touch by scoring a Mary Katranzou print piece. She's been the designer on fashion editors' lips for a couple of seasons running. (eBay search keywords: Mary Katrantzou)

14. Escada Orange Wool-Cashmere Blend Blazer: In a notice-me color like this one, no one will accuse your blazer of belonging to the boys. (eBay search keywords: orange blazer)

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