{Fall 2011 trending topic} a dress cut up to there...

Man repellers, they are not. Dresses and skirts with daring slits were bringing some serious sex appeal to the Fall 2011 runways in New York, London, and Milan. We'll have to wait and see what Paris Fashion Week has in store, but I think it's safe to say we have a high-cut trend on our hands, er, legs. A thigh-high slit is not for the sartorially bashful, but you can certainly play down the flesh factor with tights - a la Ralph Lauren and Moschino - while still showing off your killer quads. (L to R, top then bottom: Ralph Lauren, Jason Wu, Gucci, Michael Kors, Moschino, Matthew Williamson)

{NYFW trending topic} major ankle cleavage...

That's right, ankle cleavage. The kind that comes from adding one part skyscrapper heel and one part cropped pant. I love it. I think it can add just the right amount of secret sex appeal to a casual look, especially one that leans towards being more menswear-inspired. Pants are nothing new, and cropped ones certainly aren't either, however, I just love the look of a sleek, crisp pedal-pusher, especially worn with fall's tailored jackets and blouses. And I'm not usually a colorful pants person, but I love the buttery marigold color of the Yigal Azrouel pair. I would rock those in a heartbeat. To emulate these looks for Fall 2011 (or spring, for that matter) I plan on investing in a pair of J. Crew's Minnie pant. They're about $90 and fit like a dream. (L to R, Top to Bottom: Jason Wu,Yigal Azrouel, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Erin Fetherston, Thakoon, Jill Stuart)

{NYFW trending topic} feminine suiting...

Up until fairly recently, the suit was my idea of anti-fashion. Sure there have always been great, stylish suits (I have a fantastic Theory one, after-all). However, I considered the matching top and bottom look so constricting and, well, boring. A look reserved for working stiffs with no sense of adventure - or texture. The offerings from some of NYFW's heavy hitters have me reconsidering. Tommy Hilfiger's pinstripe gangster-chic double-breasted look is both extremely masculine and extremely sexy. Michael Kors and Oscar de la Renta showed smart, single-breasted styles in both fluid and sharp fabrics. Marc by Marc Jacobs' velvet is a bit much for me to stomach all at once, but I could definitely see the fun of infusing a velvet jacket into my Fall wardrobe. (L to R, top then bottom: Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, DKNY, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta)