Not sure how many girls out there cite Rock of Love as a must see – but I for sure do, which is where my difficulty understanding these leggings lies.  Perhaps it’s just this show, or maybe it’s just too much costume history/ sociological absorption on all levels – but the instant I saw these Rodarte cut out leggings, I thought - stripper!  I’m not going to hate on strippers, but I’m pretty sure they coined this look and it’s just another one of those from street to designer trends.  Granted – the Rodarte leggings are adorable and I’m not saying I don’t want a pair, but I will absolutely acknowledge that yeah, I do want to look like a stripper – sort of, in this instance.  The main difference in the aesthetic between Rodarte and below Pat Field’s very close West Side Highway representation - is the smaller, uniform, and cohesive diamond shape – as well as zip ankle detailing that channels a different gal.  Regardless of origin, I will scout out something similar to Rodarte, that’s not so Rock of Love - definitely in white or cream, feminine - and with a little S&M to keep it as classy as a pair of cut out leggings can be.

View Rodarte’s Spring 09 complete collection @ Style.com

Happy to see a feature in the January Harper’s about jumpsuits, I knew it! See post “You Jump, I Jump: Who Knew, Jumpsuits.“  I almost interned at Harper’s right after Teen Vogue - I interviewed and was good to go until FIT wouldn’t give me credit (credit crunch, those mags don’t pay) - so it would be slavery, but I sooo wanted it. Definitely a lot of red tape at SUNY.  Regardless, I feel a bit better now as there’s a typo in the January issue’s linguistics regarding jumpsuits - Sportmax is one word, not two!

Luckily for the other alma mater of sorts, Vogue’s Style.com has an easy search engine that leads you directly to a compilation of all Spring 09 jumpsuit looks from a bevy of different designers (click here to view).  I would have never been lead in the direction of London designer Danielle Scutt without it (far right), so - Vogue 1 Harper’s 0.

From left to right - DSquared, Dolce & Gabbana, Danielle Scutt - view the complete collections on Style.com

Top Shop $90

Urban Outfitters $68

Forever 21 $27.80

Orange, pink, and the combination of orange and pink are spring’s most exciting and new color palette.  It’s refreshing to see this kind of unexpected, neon, funky approach to a season which is so commonly saturated with florals and pastels.  There are only so many times I can read about florals for spring being a new and exciting trend - florals are not trends!  So - the Louis Vuitton ad for Resort 2008 is the main catalyst for this break, and accordingly Richard Nicoll (above right) and Alexander Wang (above left) followed suit.  These colors scream Lily Pulitzer & Tory Burch - that polished casual prep that is usually confined to East Hampton, and while that look is something I covet for trips to the shore, there are other ways to translate bright hues into your everyday routine.

What’s so forward about Alexander Wang is that he’s thinking in terms of separates - so you can combine pieces you already have in your closet to achieve this look, an orange short with a hot pink cardigan, or picking up a new bag or accessories to transition your closet into Spring.  The Richard Nicoll look is also so fresh because the look is just not preppy at all, it’s futuristic grecian with modern colorblocking thrown in - and can be translated from runway to sidewalk easily by pairing a fuchsia skinny jean with a flowy, draped tangerine sheath.  Color developments are one of my favorite trends year round, because they’re so easy to execute on your own.  It’s not specific to fabrication, treatment, or designer - which means you’ll not only be the most on trend girl in your hood, you’ll be the most original.

Forever 21 color splash tank $14.80

Tory Burch patent wallet $94 (orig $195)

J.Crew Crawford sheer blouse $39.99

Top Shop flower earrings $11

Old Navy scarf $12.50

Since moving to Texas, I like to think I’ve been in a kind of twilight zone for five months.  The weather hasn’t really changed, I’ve never been so busy, and there’s always something new to do.  And, in said twilight zone - the typical feeling of winter and Christmas hasn’t hit me at all.  In New York - regardless of whether or not there was snow, Christmas meant there were more tourists than cabs, and everyday shopping was like Black Friday.   New York is so romantic during Christmas, the lights and the bundling up, the Mexican hot chocolate at La Esquina - oh the grass is always greener.

So, to compensate with the varying 75 degree days -  I’ve made a conscious effort to not wear a jacket out, go without tights, and enjoy this paradox called Texas. This past weekend I even spent all day sitting outside drinking bloody’s with the girls, actually feeling hot.  As a native northeastern girl, this is incredibly novel and totally messes with my head.  My mom has always said that she thinks southern girls must be so smiley all the time because it’s always sunny - and I’ve found she may be right.

As there is now a total lack of cabin fever chic in my dress as well as my state of mind, to curb my nostalgia as I spend Christmas in another totally unseasonal city (New Orleans) - I’m going to have to take it up a notch.  Fairisles, shearling, and buffalo checks are what first come to mind, but there is so much more to it than a few textures, patterns, or finishes.  Fairisles should be kept tonal or monochromatic - as pastel fairisles are majorly matronly.  When it comes to shearling, don’t over do it with a too detailed boot.  I like the simplicity of an ugg, camel colored leather, or a Michael Kors type of bootie - stay away from heavy buckles or laces.  When you hit the slopes - or your living room this Christmas, I recommend channeling a British royal.

Urban Outfitters $78

Spiegel bootie $59

Dillard’s shearling cocktail bag $14

American Eagle buffalo check coat $129.50

Old Navy knit bracelet $2.50 each

How’s that for alliteration? I grew up in a very small town (cows) - and the only way to suppress my desire to leave was by expressing myself through dress (men’s ties as headbands, thick glasses) . I remember being asked junior year what I wanted to go to college for, and so said fashion - nothing but crickets. Then when I did go, my AP (thank you) English teacher actually asked why on earth I did such a thing. Thus the reason why I shun public schools. So much for supportive educators, but thank god for New York! I’m sure you can feel the teenage angst in my tone - the clothes just bring it back! I don’t think I’ll ever let go of the punky aesthetic, I’m a cynical New Yorker at heart and I can’t resist a dangerous looking pyramid stud for the life of me.

Punk chic connoisseur Burberry has really reinvented itself over the past several years - and in doing so has become a modern represenatation of the British punk movement, as well as a huge motivator for mass to translate it in a forward & feminine way. Christopher Bailey (of Burberry) has paved the way in reinterpreting how the tartan, motorcycle jacket, and stud read. Vivienne Westwood as well, the original curator of underground punk dress (she dressed the Sex Pistols) - brought safety pins and shredded garments to the likes of Bergdorf’s & Henri Bendel.

Forget the fishnets, mohawks, and Hot Topic - updated punk is Blondie chic. Think black jeweled heavy bib necklaces, backless dresses, skinny leather, and metal hardware. Heavily embellished accessories paired with a streamlined silhouette, or tartan/animal print/striped pieces with a metallic shoe or bag are easy ways to interpret punk without losing your femininity. And when I say femininity - I do mean looking completely bad ass.

Forever 21 studded tote $34.80

Newport News studded boot $39.00

Asos tulip skirt $35

Alex & Chloe Le Crane necklace $48

American Apparel latex legging $42

Beauty trends are very closely in line with those in fashion - and as we’ve been seeing so many more vibrant colors, prints, and glamorous ready to wear, makeup has been following along in its own way. I have never gotten too crazy into makeup - I’m awful with liquid eyeliner, but as I get older I seem to become better at pulling off the smokey eye, the red lip - but that’s about it.  I remember in high school I would wear pink eyeshadow because of Avril Lavigne, as she was my teenage muse - and then also went through a phase of purple to make my eyes (green) pop - but it was never really about the fun aspect.

So - last year when Kate Moss stepped out in star face paint for her birthday, I became completely obsessed and have been dreaming about pulling this off on my own.  While I don’t go to too many places where face paint is socially acceptable, I have still been experimenting with dark teal shadows, crimson lips, and undereye glitter (not simultaneously).  Maybe it’s because I’m in a serious 70’s disco channeling mode right now - but I can’t get enough of that glam rock, Debbie Harry vibe.

It’s easy to be terrified of accidentally reliving the 80’s - but what’s old is new again - and colorful eye shades can be done really well when done in moderation and solidarity - that means JUST glitter, or JUST hot pink, or JUST aqua.  Who’s to say you can’t pop into a bar with nail art and some graphic eye interest?  I am a firm believer in dressing how you feel - and if you feel like a shining star you may as well draw one on your face.

View a slideshow on metallic beauty on Style.com

Now is the time to forget about silly rules and pull out all of your white from your summer stash under the bed. Sure, a white sundress is totally inappropriate in the middle of winter, but white jeans, white sweaters, white handbags – are so polished and refined. I have a pair of white wide leg, 8 wale corduroy pants (on sale from $300 RL Blue Label, for $50) that I love to wear into fall and winter by giving it a spectator feel with black tops – the black and white combination let white appear less seasonal, more transitional.

Off shades of white are also good rules to live by in the winter – eggshell or creams – and classic silhouettes that don’t scream picnic or beach (turtlenecks, shift dresses). Some fabrication rules to live by: stay away from any cotton lawn, poplin, or gauze. Go for textured whites – corduroy, cables, & twills - the more substantial the fabric, the better. A white shoe is a lot harder to pull off than a white handbag, but can be done right by sticking to a matte finish & again seasonal shapes (booties, no open toes or wedges). If the shoe in question is not a bootie – a black opaque tight with a white Mary Jane screams tres mod chic.

Forever 21 crochet cardigan $27.80

Top Shop bracelet $40

Banana Republic Wilshire hobo $150

Newport News snake embossed shoe $39.00

Victoria’s Secret military coat $149.99

Can’t say enough about Zac Posen pre fall. I haven’t been this impressed with a showing in a looooong time. He clearly watched something with Katharine Hepburn in it - the 40’s feel is undeniable, but impecably updated and youthful. I fully anticipate this being a catalyst for ready to wear until at least Spring ‘10 - he really set himself apart and started something fresh and uncontrived. It makes perfect sense really, to channel an era that is so similar to what we’re all aspiring to right now. Forget the 30’s, the beauty of youth - and fashion - is idealism.

It was incredibly hard to pick just a few to feature, so go to Style.com to check out the full Pre Fall 09 slideshow.

Lace tights not only bring that cozy, sexy boudoir feeling to the winter months - they help to break up the monotony of opaque tights as your go-to leg covering for chilly nights out. I recently bought a pair from Urban – about $9 – that are a fishnet lace, and at first I thought they were a little too S&M, but quickly got over it after receiving compliments from some very conservative Texans. I am immediately ordering more after seeing this feature in the Times - those Betsey Johnson heart tights have such a nostalgic vibe, I swear I’ve worn those in a white version with multi color hearts circa Kindergarten. And it’s not just lace, that sheer black that I usually steer clear of can be done stylishly – think sheer black with the seam up the back like a 40’s pin up.

I’m also pleasantly surprised to see that there is a selection of stockings beyond Wolford & Agent Provocateur – editorial seems to be realizing the recession that is clearly at hand. Lately - it seems as though fashion is moving in such a daring and dynamic direction. Erring on the side of ostentatious - exaggerated costume jewelry, vivid colors, loud makeup, and the overall idea of getting dressed up has been revived. If you think about the fashion cycle in terms of decades, it seems completely natural and on course – the 70’s were free spirited, the 80’s were all about excess, the 90’s were grunge, the 00’s were for nesting, and now that we’re approaching the 10’s - we’ve gotta make it glam.

Check out the rest of the “Fine Points - Lacy Tights” slideshow at NYTimes.com

Waterlily lace tights MyTights.com $13.95

Lace thigh high’s with bows SockDreams.com $15

Rose fishnet lace tights Top Shop $20

Even after complete immersion, it still baffles me how the most random things can create entire movements in fashion. Tuxedos have been around forever, and YSL really brought the aesthetic to the forefront of women’s wear. Forget Annie Hall, forget Dandy - the modern interpretation of the tuxedo is sexy & strong, with no grey area.

This trend is happening now and it’s happening in a gorgeous way. I’ve been seeing tuxedo pants – straight leg, ankle Audrey style pants with satin trim along the side seam – pop up everywhere, and even in denim. Not only bottoms - tuxedo jackets, boyish or even cropped – as well as feminine bib blouse interpretations and a bevy of bows.

About three years ago when I couldn’t find anything to buy that didn’t have a sparkle of some sort sewn onto it – I went into complete opposition mode and would only wear huge men’s sweaters and dress shirts with tights, a cinched waist belt, and a thick black headband (Prada played a big part). As much as I try not to regret my fashion choices – you’ve gotta live in the moment – this is not how I would do opposite sex dressing these days. Now it’s all about the same silhouettes you would usually rock - feminine & fitted - but with menswear inspired detailing (peaked lapels, bibs, french cuffs).  Oddly enough - sometimes it takes dressing like a man to put a little swagger in your step - spitting and vulgarity aside.

Asos Jacket $85

Forever 21 Vest $22.80

Urban Outfitters dress $88

Victoria’s Secret pant $39.50

Newport News shoe $34.00