New York Fashion Week Fall 2011

Welcome to Moi Contre La Vie my fashionable friends!

I come to you today to share some highlights from New York Fashion Week’s Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear shows earlier in February.

Designers showed lots of silhouettes, lots of fur and lots of outerwear for fall. The really standout looks were striking in their intricacy, it was the embellishments that were truly eye-catching. Many designers have gone back to basics and embraced the history of their houses over the last few seasons, and while those cautious approaches continued, we also began to see some new life being breathed into the lines. You’ll still be able to find classic lines and minimalistic pieces in stores, but next fall we’ll get a bit more variety through unique fabrics, patterns, embroidery, stitching and embellishments.

Below are a handful of looks and trends presented that I believe can be transitioned into your closet (as opposed to those oh so gorgeous designs that belong in museums rather than in department store displays).

These pictures are courtesy of Style.com, where you can also find full reviews, videos and additional pictures for each of the NYFW shows.

Classic Alice+Olivia: A well cut dress with a mix of flattering and fun textures and patterns, and 100% ready to wear

Behnaz Sarafpour presented a familiar silhouette, slim on the bottom & more exaggerated on the top, a look you can easily carry over from this past season

DKNY: Skinnies, check. Stripes, check. Tuxedo inspired coat, check. See how the details on the outerwear and two-tone booties completely update the look?

Marc by Marc Jacobs: Leave it to MJ to make the hard-to-pull-off wide leg pant trend absolutely wearable and bow-necked blouses less intimidating

Michael Kors: Neutrals never looked so good! There were lots of nudes, tans and whites on the runway for fall, as well as lots of suits. MK presented a combination that was sleek, modern and little bit sexy

Erin "Feminine" Fetherston's new more affordable line ($195-$600) had some versatile looks, including this one that could go from summer to fall with tights and darker accessories