Photographed by: Antonis Achilleos
Fashion Editor: Monica Schweiger
1 GEOMETRIC JEWELRY
The bold geometry of this gold Bulgari necklace is a perfect complement to fall’s seriously graphic prints – think Louis Vuitton – and the deep-V Ossie Clark necks that showed up on tunic dresses at Prada. It’s not just status jewelry, it’s style jewelry. $2,700 at Bulgari.
2 PRECIOUS WATCH
In the mood for a watch that’ll be more grab-the-moment than timeless? Channel your inner Hilton sister with the Bedat & Co. No. 7 watch, which says “look at me” with two rows of pink diamonds and a silky turquoise band. It’s a girly, Legally Blonde look that brilliantly evades such rationalizations as “It goes with everything.” $9,000 at Saks Fifth Avenue and Tourneau.
3 OVERSIZE PURSE
The beauty of a handbag is that it doesn’t ruin the lines of that perfect jacket or bunch up your favorite cashmere sweater the way shoulder bags do. But Versace’s Tortellini bag gives you the best of both options: It’s roomy – made with miles of soft ruched leather – and looser than last fall’s ladylike bags, which looked like giant vanity cases. Toss in some oversized shades, your tiny pooch, and you’re ready to do some shopping … in Milan, of course. $1,200 at Versace.
4 FUR BAG
The problem with a fur coat is that you have to bid it farewell at the coat check. But J. Mendel has come up with the ultimate fuzzy investment: mink hobo bags, which can stay close to you always. They are big enough to carry whatever you need and so fabulous to touch that you’ll be tempted to carry one around empty. Or snuggle up with it while you’re watching TV. $3,500 at J. Mendel and Bergdorf Goodman.
5 MODERN MARY JANES
The thirties aren’t exactly Wall Street’s favorite decade, but in fashion, at least, they are fun to revisit. The shoe to accompany the trend (and lend some sass to more sedate looks) is Marc Jacobs’s jewel-hued, stacked “Ofelia” Mary Jane. It gives you the look of a girl who’s just arrived in the city with a typewriter, gloves, and an excellent collection of hats. And that’s in style whatever the economy. $465 at Marc Jacobs.
6 THE BIKER VEST
Say good-bye to puffy vests that make you feel like a marshmallow. This SportMax vest has its roots in Joan Jett and Steven Tyler, with a back-of-a-motorcycle, trash-your-hotel-room vibe. What could be sexier? Pair it with tight, leggy jeans, pointy-toed stiletto heels, and even pointier nails. $1,220 at MaxMara SoHo.
7 CHANDELIER EARRINGS
With all the baby-doll dresses and go-go boots that are making this season look like an update of The Mod Squad, Kenneth Jay Lane’s outrageous costume jewelry, which he’s been producing since the early sixties, should be staging a comeback. His glamourama tiered-and-dropped earrings will make you look like Edie Sedgwick – just add a little kohl around the eyes. $150 at Bergdorf Goodman.
8 DESIGNER DENIM
As fashion obsessives know, a denim jacket is not just a denim jacket. This sharpened-up basic is by Hussein Chalayan, who went back to his St. Martins roots with muted, rusty colors and precise cutting. Leave it to the designer’s designer to deliver a simple staple this stylish. From a selection at Barneys New York and Kirna Zabête.
8 COWBOY BOOTS
You can count on it: Where there’s a miniskirt (and you’ll be seeing plenty this fall), cowboy boots are not far behind. The combination is just so bad girl. But leave it to John Galliano to keep us from looking like so many Hee Haw extras. The kooky Brit keeps the classic stitching across the toes, but he adds some skin and a wicked stiletto heel. They’re enough to make you want to brave a mechanical bull. $500 at Christian Dior.
9 RARE STONES
Diamonds are rare, but Paraiba tourmaline is rarer: Not only is it the most luminous shade of green, it’s also virtually extinct. David Rees, the owner of TenThousandThings jewelry, gets his from a “crazy Indiana Jones-type guy” who he believes has the only extant piece. “He doesn’t even have an address.” Rees’s stones are of such high quality that they need not be faceted – they catch the light perfectly on their own. Chokers, $2,750 and $5,120, at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, and TenThousandThings. Ring, $10,400, at Bergdorf Goodman.
10 FRINGE
Who could resist Kate Hudson in Almost Famous: a few parts gypsy, a few parts rock star, a few parts hippie. Hogan’s suede-fringed handbag will get you the style (if not the life). It’s got everything that’s great about a well-made handbag – a rich lining, thick leather trim that smells the part – and a flavor of Woodstock, too. $640 at Hogan.
11 DESIGNER DENIM
As fashion obsessives know, a denim jacket is not just a denim jacket. This sharpened-up basic is by Hussein Chalayan, who went back to his St. Martins roots with muted, rusty colors and precise cutting. Leave it to the designer’s designer to deliver a simple staple this stylish. From a selection at Barneys New York and Kirna Zabete.
12 SIXTIES DRESS
From a beautiful, watercolored collection – all swirling shapes and soft focus – this Miu Miu dress has an Art Nouveau air. Sure, it’ll look beautiful on its own, with Miu Miu’s thick, colorful tights or tall, tall boots. But we can’t wait to layer it over dark, long trousers to feel like an Italian artiste. $740 at Miu Miu.
13 POP-ART PRINTS
Karl Lagerfeld has always been brilliant at turning his label’s fabulous namesake into a pop-cultural icon. But this season he’s outdone himself with a cool, Lichtenstein-like tribute to Coco: a perfectly saucy sweater for a little tongue-in-cheek homage. $455 at Chanel.
14 PUNK-INSPIRED BOOTS
Ever since Kate Moss wore her own vintage Vivienne Westwood Seditionaries boots for a shoot in British Vogue, the fashion world has been desperately seeking boots this tough and (dare we say it?) practical. These, from Celine by Michael Kors, look equally great with this season’s punk-revival minis and Anglo-equestrian jodhpurs. And you’ll never have to struggle to zip them up over your calves. $680 at Bloomingdale’s.
15 HIP BELTS
Donna Karan is known for scouring the world for inspiration. We’re inspired by these thick leather and metal belts that look like they were picked up on the North African – or perhaps Spanish? – holiday of a fabulous English folk rocker. Perfect for slinging low across the hips of faded trousers or for making loose dresses sexy. $99 at Macy’s and DKNY.