.: New York Fashion Week Ready to Wear Autumn Winter 2013-14

Another fashion week has come and gone, and now we'll move to London, Milan, and Paris to see what the other half of the hemispheres have brewed up for Autumn/Winter 2013/14. The trends for this fall will be the same as usual, morbid colors for the dark and stormy skies we usually see, layering and animal materials for the cold climate. But not only in colors and materials, we look at certain pieces. A beautiful camel colored trench coat, knee high black leather boots, fur accessories, and an abstract belt. Fur may not ever be popular among certain people because of where it comes from, (the way I look at it, it's already there, and if you don't buy it someone else will) but a beautiful fur coat or scarf will never go out of style. Of course, you may opt for faux. But it doesn't flounce the way a real fur does. Fall 2013 saw a lot of leather, which may look amazing on the legs of size 2 models, proceed with caution. If leather pants, are not your thing, opt for a pleated mini skirt, gloves, or a jacket. Again with the animal thing, real is better. Polyurethane looks and feels like trash. As far as colors go, black, grays, whites, and browns will always be the popular choice for fall. But keep an open mind, burnt oranges, oxblood reds, electric hues of blue, and dashes of purple will keep the winter blues away. Fuschia was a color expected to make a splash in spring as foreseen by American Vogue, but I say it's better placed in Fall. A fuschia lip looks great against a pale face. Shiny metallics and sequins are a bit over done, but I'm sure after we get through this summer, we'll be craving for more shine. Crisp clean lines, pant suits, and the classic Chanel jacket seem to making a comeback. I've already spotted remakes in the mall lately. If you go for tweed, find a matching skirt or short, or wear with black pants. If you can find a nice knockoff, get it. Have fun with dark greens, a color I think someone people neglect a bit too much. A fun pair of sunglasses can finish off any great look and give off the "no care" vibe. I noticed that the David Bowie hair style was really popular, at Jeremy Scott, Monika Chiang and Marc Jacobs. I'd say leave that style to the stylists, and Mr. Bowie himself. Unless you're Karlie Kloss, rock it. I left out a few designers, either because pictures were not available, their shows were cancelled, or I just flat out did not like them. (I'm talking about you Alexander Wang, Balenciaga better be good.) I left out the following designers: Vivienne Tam, Cynthia Rowley, Louise Goldin, Brood, Rebecca Taylor, Honer, Hache, Sergio Davila, La Perla, Steven Alan, Czar, David Tlale, Nomadic, Mark McNairy, Yigal Azrouel, Betsey Johnson, Thom Browne, Nicole Miller, Malan Breton, Jennifer Meyer, Richard Chai LOVE, Ruffian, Second, Son Jung Wang, Rochambeau, Michael Bastian, Wes Gordon, Emerson, Vantan Tokyo, Brandon Sun, Lela Rose, and Nanette Lepore. Feast your eyes. These are my favorite looks from New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013/2014.

3.1 Philip Lim