Remember when the recession first hit, and everyone in the fashion industry was going around saying that people would only part with their precious money for a really special, unbelievably irresistible, one-of-a-kind item? Wrong. It turns out those unicorn boots embroidered with angel’s hair are not what customers really want, at least not according to the Paris runway this season. Instead, it seems that what women are supposed to get really excited about are neat little overcoats, double-faced wools, double-breasted jackets with little belts, trim trousers, and a slew of other proper items straight out of Jenny Cavalieri’s closet.

Last weekend’s disarmingly mild weather has us gearing up for spring — including clearing out our winter wardrobes. These leather and cork wedges provide a versatile warm-weather replacement for your worn-down boots. The soft, perforated leather uppers and platform wedges make them a comfortable go-to sandal when you want a little lift but don’t want to be limping home at the end of the night. And although they won’t maim your feet like strappy styles, they also don’t sacrifice style for comfort: The tassel ties in back make an unexpected accent.

Jordan Platform Wedge by 80%20, $148 at Free People or online.

In just a few days Paris Fashion Week and the fall 2010 season will come to a close. Check out the latest collections in our new runway slideshows, and click "full screen" for the full effect.

Givenchy
Yves Saint Laurent
Hussein Chalayan
Haider Ackermann
Celine

Yesterday, John Galliano dazzled critics with his fall 2010 namesake collection. Last season, editors including Carine Roitfeld were forced to wait outside in the pouring rain for the venue — which had a leaky roof — to open. But this season's weather didn't put a damper on Galliano's genius. The show was perfect at the end of a season in which designers really thought about, and made, clothes for strong, working women who could use a good power suit. The clothes were inspired by "nomadic warrior-women" and included leather mountain coats trimmed with yak fur and turban hats made from Mongolian lamb, fox, and wool. Galliano took his bow in a "brigand chieftain" outfit, complete with a giant hat and a dagger in his belt.

Late last week, the American Apparel in Williamsburg was attacked by an alleged band of "retail terrorists" clad in all-black. "They have blogs. Someone took pictures and put them up on a blog," a store worker said after the attack. They also reportedly lit trash on fire in the middle of the street. See what happens when the weather gets warm? Girls walk around outside in bras, people brunch outside with their unruly toddlers when it's still too cold to sit outside for an hour, and hooligans unleash all manner of hell. [Free Williamsburg]

American Apparel sent us a statement on the incident:

We've gotten a few inquires about an incident at our Williamsburg store last week, and because online speculation can so often go awry, we thought we'd try set the record straight with the facts we have available. About 20 small windows were broken by a group of people on Thursday around midnight. The piece of metal used to smash them was left behind, a few mannequins were scuffed, and nothing was stolen. The police apprehended and arrested two people later that night, a man and a woman, and we'll likely proceed by attempting to be reimbursed for the destroyed property.

Both Times fashion critic Horyn and Vogue editor André Leon Talley have previously bemoaned red-carpet fashion this awards season. Horyn wondered if the good designers were avoiding loaning dresses, while Talley compared more than one actress's red-carpet look to food — and no woman would relish a "roadside-diner peach melba" comparison. However, the two seem more or less pleased overall with what they saw last night. Horyn, who watched from Paris, found the gown parade "pretty funny":

Here were all these gorgeous women with great bodies — I mean, we constantly hear about their workout routines, diets, etc. — and most of them were awash in ruffles and soupy drapery.