Complement Your Booties

As the cold weather makes its way into the spotlight, it's no surprise that flats and open-toed everything will be replaced with anything, especially the season's sexy new trend: booties. The thing about these fashionable foot warmers is that they're quite tricky when deciding what to pair them with to get the look just right. That being said, we did a little dirty work to keep your booties looking tight.

If you're looking to achieve a classic look, combine a pair of black suede booties and a bright cable-knit sweater with black skinny jeans. This combination is key to looking chic.

To mix that class act with an edgy vibe, combine an oversized blazer with a pair of buckled booties (also black) and you'll be sending a mysterious signal of style and suspense before you know it.

For a much more relaxed, yet modern aura, it's best to wear a blazer (this time fitted) over a plaid button-down. The finishing touch will go to your feet: black, high-heeled booties. Simple, yet still chic.

Have a bootie-ful winter!

Text Brittney Schering
Image Style.com

Top Picks for Tough Tees

Leather isn't just for bikers anymore. The tough couture was all over the runways this past fall, from luxury collections like Hermès and Louis Vuitton to contemporary lines like Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg. Leather jackets have typically been the go-to option for the upper body, but the new must-haves — leather tops — bring a fresh appeal for a rough-and-tumble chic.

The leather shirt is quite versatile — it can be worn to work under a classic tailored blazer or for a night out on the town with skinny jeans and a sleek pair of stilettos. For a sophisticated approach to the trend, 3.1 Phillip Lim offers a sculptured top combination of royal blue silk-armure and caramel leather. An effortless way to make an impact is the Elizabeth and James Chantal blouse, crafted with leather cuffs and trimming.

Text Tiffany Frasier 
Image 3.1 Phillip Lim

Caped Crusaders

Batman may be a pure figment of imagination, but he certainly touched on something realistically revolutionary when he thought to add a cape to his array of many accessories. He might be the first male icon to gain celebrity for his slick over-the-shoulder capelet, but thanks to his sartorial wisdom, many fashionable gentlemen have adopted the trend and followed in the dark knight's footsteps. It can be boldly sported lengthy cape or a simple blazer slung off the shoulders, but no matter what the take, it is relatively easy to notice that this effortless look has become a favorite among the internationally stylish. Industry all-stars like George Cortina and Milan Vukmirovic have already been sighted sporting such trends and instilling a level of masculinity that turns the fad into a genderless oeuvre.

Slinging a refined blazer over the shoulders in cape-for does indeed contribute coolness to a general look, but only, as with any look, if worn ideally. Essentially, there is no "correct" way to wear a certain piece of clothing because one should choose pieces in accordance with one's personal style, but there is a right way to style clothes. COnsidering that the blazer-over-the-shoudlers look is traditionally a "classic" look, it can be styled in a multitude of ways. One could either pair the look with a sleek ensemble to create a classy head-to-toe image, or opt for the ironic route (which is much more fun) and add some ripped denim and boots to produce a contrasting look of the fitted versus the nonchalant. Either way, men's fashion has welcomed a lust worthy trend into its arms.

Text Ricardo Hernandez

Image courtesy of Tommy Ton for Jak and Jil

Black Eyed Peas's Will.i. Am Collaborates With Japanese Designer, Rynshu

Black Eyed Peas member, Will.i.am is working on other projects besides his music. Recently, he strutted his stuff down the runway at the Rynshu Menswear Spring/Summer 2012 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week. Will.i.am was wearing a fitted leather blazer, shiny black cropped harem pants and clunky combat boots. The show was held at the Maison des Metallos in Paris, France.

Four months ago Will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas were shooting a video for their song “Just Can’t Get Enough” in Japan. In the video, the male members of the band are wearing Rynshu clothing. After meeting designer, Rynshu at his boutique in Japan, Will.i.am and Rynshu decided to collaborate and create a clothing line called Rynshu x Will.i.Am. The line will include jackets and blazer. It will go on sale in the United States and Canada for Spring/Summer 2012.

Text Stephanie Buscema
Source(s): WWD

Acne Spring 2012 Men’s Collection

A new collection with a retro twist, Acne Spring 2012 Men’s Collection, exploded on the runway for all eyes to see. The items in the collection range from pastel blues, salmon shades, to a flora camouflage print. Many of the other colors include black, navy, mustard, sea green, and red. For the footwear, leather sandals vary from the gladiator look to other styles. The collections provide various styles, from tight fitting, straight legged pants to tight shorts. Many of the jackets are blazers that are solid colors, denim and various colored trench coats. Some items include a velvet vest, what looks like a flowery Kimono shorts outfit, cardigans and loud and retro pants. Retro, modern and sleek are words to describe this collection. Very different and eye catching, the Swedish label has provided its unique style for men across the globe. For some these trends may be too much, for others this may be just what they’re looking for but the unique presentation of the collection has made viewers admire the originality and the creativity of the items.

Text Stephanie Buscema
Source(s): GQ

Milan Fashion Week: Calvin Klein Collection Spring 2012

Calvin Klein has produced yet another collection for men that bellows the characteristics of bold and unique. Klein recently presented his Spring 2012 collection during Milan Fashion Week. The collection consists of an array of bright colors as well as a retro yet modern look. Klein focuses on a sporty theme. His items include white tees, baggy sweat pants, oversize trousers, linen and shimmery blazers. Other items are intricately patterned. Many of the shirts are baggy, while some are fitted tank tops. Klein fuses sporty and dressy into one with outfits like blazers and baggy trouser shorts. The bold styles include colors like lime green, white, a pastel blue and black. Some of the materials are shimmery, linen or sheer. Many of the blazers were made shimmery while the bottoms remain solid materials and vice-versa. This collaboration of the dressy and sporty look is a revolutionary style that leave men dressing to impress while feeling comfortable in their dress-wear.

Text Stephanie Buscema
Source(s): New York Times Style

DKNY 2011

DKNY's ad from the Spring collection is absolutely lovely. When I look at this photo, I am taken to Paris. What makes this look so Parisian Perfect is combination of the pink on top of red as well as the fun additions like little black bow for the belt and the beige-colored skirt. It is refreshingly sweet and sassy. This outfit is perfect for Spring and causes me to be curious and excited about the rest of the collection. Pink blazers are rare to find and I would love to have this one! And even though I'm more of a black blazer type of girl, I absolutely love pink. I never thought to combine the two. This is absolutely perfect.

P.S. The rest of the collection is just as lovely.

http://dkny.donnakaran.com/women/on-the-runway/spring-2011/runway-video

Text Alexandra Faye

Far-Fetched Fall 2010

As summer comes to an end and work or school start to kick in, life defiantly gets more stressful. The weather starts to turn and we all slowly become lethargic. However, creating a great outfit can make your day that much better. As a fashionista, it’s completely normal to start brainstorming what to wear as the weather gets cooler each day. Here are some style tips for fall 2010:

Shoes: As you start shopping around for striking new shoes, you should look into buying clogs. Clogs are great because your toes aren’t out in the open and they have an extremely comfortable heel. ALDO, has great, affordable clogs that are chic for fall 2010.

Pants: Wide leg pants are becoming extremely popular.  AQUA, which is sold exclusively at Bloomingdales, has adorable silk cargo pants. You can wear these for a more casual look as well as pair them with above said clogs to dress up a little more. These are great because they add length to your legs and come in two different colors. There are also plenty of other brands such as Michael Kors, J Brand and 7 For All Mankind that sell trendy cargo pants in diverse materials.

Tops: The cargo pants go great with a light tank and a blazer as well as a floral shirt.

Don’t let the weather make or break your day, confidently strut your stuff into work/school and make a statement for Fall 2010!

Cara Jacobs

Boyfriend Blazers

There’s always something sexy about a woman wearing men’s shirts or jackets.

This season we’ve already been through the boyfriend jeans so bring on the blazers. The boyfriend blazer is perfect for dressing up jeans and a t-shirt and it adds a flirty tom boy flare to a girly outfit.

Look inside the sleeves! It’s always fun to have the inside lining of the jacket with a design like stripes or a bright color. That way if you roll the sleeves up a bit you have a different look. With the cold on its way this is definitely a MUST have item.

-Jennifer Nikolevski

Boys & Girls and Girls & Boys- Crossing the Gender Line

So we've already stolen our "boyfriends jeans" and rightfully so, they steal ours! We are a culture where cross-dressing is accepted pretty much across the board. I mean, we have basically blurred the gender lines all to hell. Why not steal our mans dress shirts. I love a nice plaid mens shirt with leggings and boots. Or better yet, your boyfriend's over-sized blazer. After all I'm sure he won't be wearing it much anymore for that finance job. Oops, he lost it in the economic meltdown, I do apologize.

Maybe you're wondering when it become cool to steal your boyfriends clothes? I am pretty sure it was well before this time, but I do remember vividly Balenciaga taking us there in his Fall 2007 Collection with shrunken schoolboy blazer. Now, switching it up a bit we have gone to the over-sized blazer. Moving from your little brothers prep school uniform to your boyfriends work wardrobe. Even down to the oxford shoes, sadly... that's going to be a tough one to steal from the boyfriend. Hmm do those black and whites come in my size?

Image: Marcio Maderia

Designer: Rag & Bone